Retaining WP via 3K travel. Anyone with experience on Jetstar Asia?

[dajop]

I have recently moved to Singapore from Melbourne, and am looking at how I can keep both PPS (or at the very least star alliance gold!) and Qantas Platinum, which will be challenging now that I will no longer be "commuting" between SIN/MEL nor will have domestic flights to keep the QF SC's ticking over ...

As most of my travel will be to BKK, CGK, MNL & SGN I was thinking maybe the way to go is to start flying Jetstar Asia on these short haul flights in Flexible Economy fare (if our travel policy allows it, although I think it excludes low-cost carriers on, I assume safety or convenience grounds) - with FCL lounge access at least in SIN & BKK. The advantage is full Y status credits on QF. Then keep longer flights for SQ (which could also be in business class).

Has anyone had much experience on Jetstar Asia? Avoid like the plague or does this seem to be a sound strategy? It seems to have reasonably OK timetables for business travel, so it might just work.

 

[Hvr]

Have travelled on JetStar Asia a couple of times. Siam Reap to Singapore and then to Manila.

Basic LCC and ok for short flights, would not want to do a long flight, the seats weren't that comfortable. However, the ability to choose your seat ahead of time is a bonus.

The flights weren't too late and nobody was terribly surprised at them being late. I did speak to one person who used them regularly and he said he allowed a bit of time and nothing at his arrival location on his travelling day was time critical.

Also they are very cough about the weight of luggage especially carry on luggage. Expect to go through a different line and have it weighed, too heavy and it must be checked in.

 

[oz_mark]

I have flown them SIN-KUL and they were fine for such a short sector (not to mention cheaper than the MH/SQ options).

 

[Evan]

Living in Singapore i do a lot of flights with CX, some with KA and JL. The rest with SQ. Our corp TA gets good CX prices, often much cheaper than you will see published. I guess it all depends on your travel plans and destinations.
One other reason i use CX/KA is to make sure i dont have to fly those Chinese airlines !
I mauntain WP but no chance for Star gold really.

E

 

[dajop]

One other reason i use CX/KA is to make sure i dont have to fly those Chinese airlines !

No such luck here. My China visits tend to be into PEK to our China office and to some less common desinations an hour or two from there ... so far tried CA and CZ. But the upside is that PEK is 6:15 from SIN which is (just over) the policy limit for J travel, therefore definitely an SQ destination (CX/KA would mean Y all the way ...).

 

[2muchplastic]

...so far tried CA and CZ. ...

CA? Don't envy you that. I flew CA between PEK and SHA and was served the worst airline food I have ever come across in my entire life.

 

[browski]

As most of my travel will be to BKK, CGK, MNL & SGN

SE Asia Qantas SC options:
SIN-BKK: Jet Star Asia Flex and CX
SIN-CGK: This is on Value Air, but still an earner
SIN-MNL: Jetstar Asia Flex
SIN-SGN: Jetstar Asia Flex and also Jetstar Flex (if you wish to route via Darwin)
SIN-KUL: JAL and Jetstar Asia Flex
SIN-HKG: CX and Jetstar Asia Flex

Jetstar Asia is excellent for short flights, however.......sometimes the flight from SIN is dependant upon the flight arriving from elsewhere. Eg. The flight from SIN-MNL originates in KUL. So if there is a delay at KUL, you might have delays, but then again most airlines have to deal with this stuff.

 

[taswegian77]

I have down BKK-SIN-BKK a number of times with Jetstar Asia and find them very good. When booking Jet Flex tickets you get to choose seats so I always book row 1C or 1D (1A to 1C have a bulk head as opposed to 1A-C on AU Jetstar which has none). On a lot of my flights (say half) there is hardly anyone in the first two rows as these are reserved for premium paying passengers or those willing to pay around another $30 to sit there. Sure you have to pay for food and drink but I find it reasonably priced. In terms of SC and points you get 30 SC per leg so 60SC for a return trip and as WP I receive 1794 points for a one way leg. The cost of a one way leg is usually around the $220 AUD mark so aroudn $440 return AUD, which I think represents great value fi you are seeking SC's. Good luck with your travels.