Rebooking JetStar Cancelled Flight

[kangarooflyer88]

Hello,

I've got a trip booked with JQ in late March: SYD > DRW that has been booked as a MAX fare in both directions. Over the past ~2 weeks JQ has cancelled both the outbound and inbound segments and put me on new flights that don't exactly work for me. In particular, the new proposed inbound itinerary is a doozy:


I have not accepted either of the changes as at yet but do have a couple of questions regarding the rebooking:

• Can I rebook on any available JetStar flight that is operating that day for the outbound/inbound flights?
• Can I change the dates of travel slightly (e.g. departing a day earlier or returning a day earlier) if I can't find any suitable JQ flights that day (i.e. that don't involve a 14 hour layover in BNE)
• If I were to rebook my non-stop into one with connections, how are status credits computed? Is it based on ORC or the new itinerary (for me obviously I'd like to have the new connecting itinerary to pick up some extra SCs).

I assume that regardless of what rebooking option I choose I will still be treated as on a MAX fare (i.e. being able to choose any seat I want on the plane, checked baggage allowance, etc.). Let me know if that assessment is inaccurate.

Cheers,

RooFlyer88

 

[dylarr]

With regards to changes — I've found generally Jetstar are accomodating when it comes to changing to another suitable flight on the same day or even +/- 24 hours without any change or fare difference where there has been a schedule change.

Also try this URL here:

https://book.jetstar.com/ScheduleChangeItinerary.aspx?culture=en-AU&pnr=XXPNRXX&lastname=XXLASTNAMEXX

Replace the XXPNRXX and XXLASTNAMEXX values in the URL with your booking reference and last name. This tool sometimes offers up much more suitable options than the standard Jetstar MMB if you've been impacted by a schedule change. If there aren't any suitable options here, you'll need to hop on chat or call.

If your non-stop is turned into a connecting flight, all sectors in the new journey will fall under the Max fare conditions including seat selection, meals, points and status credits. However keep your JQ boarding passes or take a photo of them! If the individual sectors don't credit correctly, you'll need to go to through the QFF Service Centre and having JQ boarding passes as proof will make your life much easier.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

With regards to changes — I've found generally Jetstar are accomodating when it comes to changing to another suitable flight on the same day or even +/- 24 hours without any change or fare difference where there has been a schedule change.

Also try this URL here:

https://book.jetstar.com/ScheduleChangeItinerary.aspx?culture=en-AU&pnr=XXPNRXX&lastname=XXLASTNAMEXX

Replace the XXPNRXX and XXLASTNAMEXX values in the URL with your booking reference and last name. This tool sometimes offers up much more suitable options than the standard Jetstar MMB if you've been impacted by a schedule change. If there aren't any suitable options here, you'll need to hop on chat or call.

If your non-stop is turned into a connecting flight, all sectors in the new journey will fall under the Max fare conditions including seat selection, meals, points and status credits. However keep your JQ boarding passes or take a photo of them! If the individual sectors don't credit correctly, you'll need to go to through the QFF Service Centre and having JQ boarding passes as proof will make your life much easier.

Thanks for the wealth of information here (including the rebooking link). I've ended up keeping the outbound non-stop as the available JQ flights with connections were unsuitable for me (i.e. requiring me to get to SYD early and arrive into DRW late) but for the return I've booked one with a connection through ADL meaning I should net 60 SCs (40 for DRW > ADL and 20 for ADL > SYD).

As for keeping BPs would the digital (Apple Wallet) suffice for fighting tickets that don't credit correctly or should I stick with paper tickets?

In any event, I'm now on the fence about whether to book much more revenue flights on QF, particularly if I can turn all the non-stops I've got on JQ into connections. As it stands with the trips I've got booked (and rebooked) on JQ, I'll earn 470 status credits this year. Supposing I could get a status credit roll over of the 100 status credits I earned last year I'll need just 30 more status credits to requalify for Gold which with a judicious use of rebooking I can easily attain.

-RooFlyer88

 

[justinbrett]

If they cancelled your flights you're entitled to a full refund. You just have to ask for it, I don't think the website will offer it. Did this many times last year.

 

[aikman]

Jetstar efficiency doesn't always work in one's favour.

Last week, when Jetstar cancelled all of their Perth flights for March, I promptly asked for a refund. All done within two minutes.

Two days later, the border announcement was made and Jetstar reinstated their cancelled flights! Unfortunately I had forever lost my $22 tickets that I bought from a flash sale last year. If only Jetstar made you wait hours on hold for customer service, I wouldn't have cancelled my flights so quickly.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Jetstar efficiency doesn't always work in one's favour.

Last week, when Jetstar cancelled all of their Perth flights for March, I promptly asked for a refund. All done within two minutes.

Two days later, the border announcement was made and Jetstar reinstated their cancelled flights! Unfortunately I had forever lost my $22 tickets that I bought from a flash sale last year. If only Jetstar made you wait hours on hold for customer service, I wouldn't have cancelled my flights so quickly.

That's my thinking too. Out of this world bargains for JQ MAX fares that earn a heap of SCs, like the ~$300 MAX fare I booked SYD > DRW return netting me 80 SCs (now 100 SCs thanks to cancellation forcing a connecting in ADL for the inbound segment).

-RooFlyer88

 

[dylarr]

Thanks for the wealth of information here (including the rebooking link). I've ended up keeping the outbound non-stop as the available JQ flights with connections were unsuitable for me (i.e. requiring me to get to SYD early and arrive into DRW late) but for the return I've booked one with a connection through ADL meaning I should net 60 SCs (40 for DRW > ADL and 20 for ADL > SYD).

As for keeping BPs would the digital (Apple Wallet) suffice for fighting tickets that don't credit correctly or should I stick with paper tickets?

Also be mindful that Jetstar do not transfer luggage on domestic flights, even if they are sold as connecting. You'll need to collect bags at ADL and recheck for ADL-SYD.

As for boarding passes, I can't see why you'd have any issues with Apple Wallet boarding passes. I do personally like the physical boarding passes printed at the airport kiosks because they have everything clearly printed (PNR, SSRs, fare type, etc). This info is also included in the Apple Wallet passes it's just buried in a different screen.

In any event, I'm now on the fence about whether to book much more revenue flights on QF, particularly if I can turn all the non-stops I've got on JQ into connections. As it stands with the trips I've got booked (and rebooked) on JQ, I'll earn 470 status credits this year. Supposing I could get a status credit roll over of the 100 status credits I earned last year I'll need just 30 more status credits to requalify for Gold which with a judicious use of rebooking I can easily attain.

Just be mindful that in order for you to change your JQ non-stops to connections (for free), there needs to be a schedule change as the link won't work unless there are adjustments that you are yet to accept or acction.

If you are creating new bookings, also be mindful that if you are purchasing an itinerary with connecting flights, you'll need to purchase a bundle for each individual sector as one bundle won't cover two connecting flights. So it can get a bit pricey. The only way to pay for one bundle and have it cover two flights is if there is a schedule change and you are moved onto a connecting flight instead of a non-stop.

If they cancelled your flights you're entitled to a full refund. You just have to ask for it, I don't think the website will offer it. Did this many times last year.

The schedule change link I posted above will let you process a refund if you select the option stating that the alternatives offered aren't suitable.

Alternatively, use Ask Jess and say "network adjustments". You'll get a link to a refund form that I've found takes no more than a day to process once submitted.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Also be mindful that Jetstar do not transfer luggage on domestic flights, even if they are sold as connecting. You'll need to collect bags at ADL and recheck for ADL-SYD.

As for boarding passes, I can't see why you'd have any issues with Apple Wallet boarding passes. I do personally like the physical boarding passes printed at the airport kiosks because they have everything clearly printed (PNR, SSRs, fare type, etc). This info is also included in the Apple Wallet passes it's just buried in a different screen.


Just be mindful that in order for you to change your JQ non-stops to connections (for free), there needs to be a schedule change as the link won't work unless there are adjustments that you are yet to accept or acction.

If you are creating new bookings, also be mindful that if you are purchasing an itinerary with connecting flights, you'll need to purchase a bundle for each individual sector as one bundle won't cover two connecting flights. So it can get a bit pricey. The only way to pay for one bundle and have it cover two flights is if there is a schedule change and you are moved onto a connecting flight instead of a non-stop.


The schedule change link I posted above will let you process a refund if you select the option stating that the alternatives offered aren't suitable.

Alternatively, use Ask Jess and say "network adjustments". You'll get a link to a refund form that I've found takes no more than a day to process once submitted.

Thanks for all the great points! Didn't realize that JQ treats connecting flights as distinct flights in terms of baggage handling and other such items. Will remember to re-check my bags in ADL. I did notice when I've been booking JQ flights over the past few months that connecting flights were always more expensive than the nonstop options (even for Starter fares). So I guess the whole take away for JQ is book the cheapest nonstops and pray that they get cancelled so you can rebook into a connecting flight for more SCs!

-RooFlyer88

 

[dylarr]

You are a true AFF'er when you live and breath the "Why fly direct when you can connect!" mantra

 

[kangarooflyer88]

You are a true AFF'er when you live and breath the "Why fly direct when you can connect!" mantra

Fun story, pre-COVID I was in Germany for a workshop and needed to get to Kyoto for a conference the following week. Instead of flying Frankfurt over to Osaka (via Tokyo) or something more direct, I flew EuroWings from Tegel to Las Vegas (connecting in Düsseldorf) then flying out the following day on United from Las Vegas to Osaka (via San Francisco). In total I saved $600 (even accounting for the Comfort Inn I booked for $49 to rest overnight) on that trip and easily racked up double the flight miles to re-qualify for United Premier Gold (oh and I also got an upgrade on the inbound segment).

That being said, I will say that there are things as good and bad connections. For the date I wanted to fly back to Sydney there really weren't any non-stop options and I didn't want to leave a day earlier or later. In this case, I'm leaving Darwin at a reasonable time (i.e. 11:00 AM) and arriving in Sydney at a reasonable time (i.e. 10 PM). Yes I've got a 5 hour layover in ADL, but that just means more time in the QF lounge. For those who have flown out of DRW that's a reasonable outcome: not taking a red eye flight or having to change the date of departure). BTW JQ originally had me going DRW > SYD (via BNE) with a 11 hour layover. The only real pity was I couldn't find a routing that enabled me to get even more SCs.

-RooFlyer88

 

[dylarr]

Fun story,

See this is why I like travelling solo. I'd have no qualms at all accepting routing like this in exchange for points and credits. Travel companions on the other hand

 

[kangarooflyer88]

See this is why I like travelling solo. I'd have no qualms at all accepting routing like this in exchange for points and credits. Travel companions on the other hand

Maybe that itinerary wouldn't attract many travel companions... well at least the type of travel companions outside of members of FT or AFF

That being said what makes a good itinerary really depends on the traveller. I suspect if you gave someone the option of a nonstop flight from LAX to SYD but it's in economy or a connecting flight from LAX to SYD (via SFO for instance) but it's all in business class, many people would choose the latter. Then again, ordinary people who don't travel regularly may not realize what they're missing out in international J thinking it's Y with slightly more legroom. These might also be the same type of people who would gladly spend tens of thousands of QF points to get a 4 slice toaster. Needless to say, they are on my Standby list

-RooFlyer88

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Update: I'm now taking the inbound sectors of my JetStar flight that got rebooked (currently at the QF Pub in ADL). Recall the original itinerary was DRW > SYD but that flight got cancelled so I rebooked onto DRW > ADL > SYD on JQ (for extra status credits, a normal departure time and more airport fun!) Flight took off from DRW and landed on time no issues. Exited airside to pick up my checked bag, remove the tags and get it retagged for the onward flight to SYD. Get to the kiosk and it says check in opens in an hour and forty minutes (did I tell you I have a 5 hour layover in ADL?). End up going back through security with my bag (using the priority lane since obviously I can use that as a QF Gold flying JQ) in no time but still a pain. Will head back to landside as the departure time gets closer to complete the check in.

One question I have is I noticed for the flight from ADL > SYD there is no endorsement on the ticket for a meal voucher (i.e. V10A). Further checking the itinerary whilst my DRW > ADL flight says Meal : yes, for ADL > SYD it says Meal: no. This despite the ticket saying Fare: Max Class and me being seated in 1A. Any idea why that's happening? Presumably I'd get a meal voucher for each segment of a max fare flight!

-RooFlyer88

 

[aikman]

for ADL > SYD it says Meal: no. This despite the ticket saying Fare: Max Class and me being seated in 1A. Any idea why that's happening?

Did you end up getting a meal?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Did you end up getting a meal?

Nope! Flight attendant came around asking if I wanted a snack, and asked if I had a meal voucher, they said no!

Seems awfully cheap of JQ to skimp out on the meal voucher for a "connecting" flight booked on a MAX fare like that.

-RooFlyer88

 

[aikman]

I hope that they don't skimp out on the points and SCs as well.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I hope that they don't skimp out on the points and SCs as well.

Points and SCs haven't posted yet but that's to be expected (it takes 2-3 days for JQ flights to post) as my flights were all yesterday. Will report back!

-RooFlyer88

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Final update: As expected points and status credits landed this afternoon, on the rebooked routing (DRW > ADL > SYD) and not the original routing, which is good since that means I earn extra status credits and award miles which I promptly applied to an upgrade on my MEL > SYD leg on an A330. Hopefully this time I fly, I can get my meal finished in 30 minutes so I can get 30 minutes of quality shut eye on the lie flat!

-RooFlyer88

 

[AIRwin]

Hopefully this time I fly, I can get my meal finished in 30 minutes so I can get 30 minutes of quality shut eye on the lie flat!

Also hoping to be on a holding pattern?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Also hoping to be on a holding pattern?

If the stewardess could deliver my meal through an IV line that would be great

-RooFlyer88