Seeking advice on how to avoid jetstar

[cdp88]

Hi all

I was hoping someone could offer some advice.

I have an upcoming trip for work. There is a "best flight of the day" policy and the computer system suggests the 645am Jet* flight instead of the 7am VA flight. The price difference is significant enough to make it difficult for me to argue to avoid Jet* ($75 compared to $140). I want to avoid Jet* as I have concerns about reliability and comfort and I am trying to build/maintain VA status.

My question is, how are the loads on the Jet* flight? If I wait a bit longer will it change? It is only the really cheap ticket ($75) that is causing a problem. If it bumped up to closer to the VA fare (about $140) I could make the case. Will that really cheap ticket disappear soon?

Flight is BNE-SYD 12/10/16.

Thanks in advance

Cdp88.

 

[PLANT]

Yes it will

 

[moa999]

Likely will. But might only creep up slowly eg $95

 

[opusman]

And VA might go up as well.

 

[Colin 2905]

Move to CBR. Jetstar will be a non-issue then.

 

[Dr Ralph]

If you have concerns about reliability (which you should do with jetcrap) then you should put that to whoever books your flights.

It's a very fair argument, especially if you need to be somewhere at a particular time.

 

[eastwest101]

Those cheap seats on the early morning JQ flight may vanish but they may not, remember that there is also a 730am flight that also needs to sell out the cheap fare classes before the lower yielding people are forced to buy the remaining "cheap" seats on that first

Book the most important meeting/event early in the morning in SYD - that way if the JQ flight is cancelled then the BFOD policy people learn their lesson. Having said that - its probably very unlikely that this early morning first flight of the day BNE-SYD flight will be cancelled by JQ as it will be a positioning flight into SYD and the aircraft will be needed in SYD for a premium yield and departure slot out of SYD. Dont forget to add the checked in luggage fees and seat selection fee to the JQ fare when comparing prices.

Not sure when your return flight to BNE is but picking the last return flight from SYD-BNE late in the evening will increase your chances of this flight being cancelled and JQ will force you to take an earlier flight (thus cutting your time in SYD short) or put you on a flight the next day, possibly without acomodation, either outcome will inconvenience your employer as they will be losing your travel work time and/or stumping up for a SYD hotel room. Rinse and repeat until someone starts to notice.

 

[get me outta here]

Know anyone in SYD to stay with, or get a really cheap doss? Go the night before in your own time on VA.

 

[docjames]

Can you construct a rationale as to why a 645 flight is not possible but a 700 is - later checkin to allow for family commitments etc?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Well I think that you need to first ask yourself:

- Will your company/ manager notice that you are not in fact following the company policy?
- If so what are the possible consequences for you?
- Does the gain of a few points and status credits outweigh any career risk of being considered not a good employee?

 

[yohy?!]

Play with the times you are entering to see if you can get the JQ flight excluded eg search for 8am flights

 

[cdp88]

Thanks all for your suggestions.


I may end up having to fly Jet*. The computer system they use for booking shows the BFOD and forces you to include a reason if not booking that flight. Ironically, the travel company we use recommends against using Jet* as there are no refunds/credits at all whereas QF and VA allow this.


Work travel (in my sector and for my employer) is not luxurious and whenever I attend conferences or meetings I find colleagues from other states end up getting a much better deal than we do ie overnight stays for day long meetings to avoid early morning departures. In that context, my desire to fly full service and accrue the meagre points and credits that go with such travel may be understandable.


Arguments in my favour, if the prices don't change significantly, are that it's earlier than I need to arrive and I may fear for my safety as the plane could catch fire. On the first point wasting 15 minutes of my time is a small price to pay to save $70 and is arguably not relevant to the employer. On the second point I may have more luck but run the risk of appearing precious.

Ideally Jet* would desist from flying on business routes/times or to major terminals.


I will update you on the outcome.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks all for your suggestions.


I may end up having to fly Jet*. The computer system they use for booking shows the BFOD and forces you to include a reason if not booking that flight. Ironically, the travel company we use recommends against using Jet* as there are no refunds/credits at all whereas QF and VA allow this.


Work travel (in my sector and for my employer) is not luxurious and whenever I attend conferences or meetings I find colleagues from other states end up getting a much better deal than we do ie overnight stays for day long meetings to avoid early morning departures. In that context, my desire to fly full service and accrue the meagre points and credits that go with such travel may be understandable.


Arguments in my favour, if the prices don't change significantly, are that it's earlier than I need to arrive and I may fear for my safety as the plane could catch fire. On the first point wasting 15 minutes of my time is a small price to pay to save $70 and is arguably not relevant to the employer. On the second point I may have more luck but run the risk of appearing precious.

Ideally Jet* would desist from flying on business routes/times or to major terminals.


I will update you on the outcome.

I don't think concerns about Jetstar Australia's safety are likely to hold much sway. Qantas and JQ had 'emergencies' in the media this week. Only the Qantas one involved a slide evacuation.

 

[yohy?!]

Another point to bear in mind is that Jetstar gives no commitment to transport you at the time you buy a ticket for (ie they decide when they'll take you and you have no recourse), that alone should discount them for business travel

 

[straitman]

I think you just need to catch a few JQ flights and then hope they are screwed up enough for your employer to accept the non reliability argument.

 

[opusman]

You could always do something on-board to get yourself banned

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Another point to bear in mind is that Jetstar gives no commitment to transport you at the time you buy a ticket for (ie they decide when they'll take you and you have no recourse), that alone should discount them for business travel

That's the same for Qantas and Virgin though. No airline guarantees flight times.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Tell your boss JQ has more if a tendency to cancel flights.
Granted that TT, QF and VA do too cancel or delay or put you to later flight but less so.
20 years flying QF and never have they cancelled any of my flights.
10 years flying VA and no cancellations ever either.
My 4th ever JQ flight and they cancelled it on me.

 

[k_sheep]

I think that if work is paying, then it's reasonable for them to go with what they want, not what you want. Lately work has put me in VA, who have managed to lose my bag 3 of the last 4 trips (no, that is no exaggeration) but since they're paying, I can't complain. I'd much rather they book me on JQ!

 

[JohnK]

I believe companies shouldn't consider JQ or TT on a BFOD policy. I definitely don't want to work for a company that doesn't want to look after me while travelling. And yes I do realise that it's not easy to change jobs or at least find the right job.

e.g. say my current employer wants me to go to MEL and books JQ. I would refuse the go using some excuse assuming I t wouldn't cost me my job. If they persevere then I can put case forward for avoiding JQ and TT.