Beware the bundle rort

[Captain Halliday]

Some time ago I managed to book return trip DRW-DPS with a JQ sale fare for Mrs Halliday. The trip is next week. I have realised that she is 30 SC short of retaining PS with a lapse date of June 30. I figured I'd add a plus bundle as DRW-DPS earns 30 SC return. JQ's website says you can do this online after making your booking. See: Fare Types | Jetstar. I tried to add a bundle via the website but the system won't provide that option. Very misleading! JQ's offshore call centre couldn't explain it either, though the chap was happy to cancel the sale fare (non refundable), book a new one with a plus bundle and change fee, all for the discount price of a bit over $900. Needless to say I didn't make the change.

Has anyone had any luck adding a JQ bundle online after booking, especially on a sale fare? How much in fees do you think it's worth to retain the very few benefits of PS, given Mrs Halliday is only 30SC short? And if it's not worth the hassle, any suggestions for a status run ex DRW to get the last 30 SC?:?:

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Some time ago I managed to book return trip DRW-DPS with a JQ sale fare for Mrs Halliday. The trip is next week. I have realised that she is 30 SC short of retaining PS with a lapse date of June 30. I figured I'd add a plus bundle as DRW-DPS earns 30 SC return. JQ's website says you can do this online after making your booking. See: Fare Types | Jetstar. I tried to add a bundle via the website but the system won't provide that option. Very misleading! JQ's offshore call centre couldn't explain it either, though the chap was happy to cancel the sale fare (non refundable), book a new one with a plus bundle and change fee, all for the discount price of a bit over $900. Needless to say I didn't make the change.

Has anyone had any luck adding a JQ bundle online after booking, especially on a sale fare? How much in fees do you think it's worth to retain the very few benefits of PS, given Mrs Halliday is only 30SC short? And if it's not worth the hassle, any suggestions for a status run ex DRW to get the last 30 SC?:?:

AFAIK that has never been an option. You can add seats, meals, baggage etc later but not a plus bundle. To add a plus bundle you have to change the flight to a starter plus bundle which would involve paying the change fee and fare differences. A plus bundle includes free changes if the fare is the same, so adding a plus bundle later which adds more flexibility would make little sense... the fare rules page says you have to pay the change fee and fare difference to add the bundle: Fare Rules | Jetstar

 

[Captain Halliday]

AFAIK that has never been an option.

Thanks Aussie_flyer. While it may not be possible (and may never have been so), perhaps JQ should stop misleading customers and suggesting that it is possible:
Anyhow, on a more positive note - any suggestions on gaining the 30SC required by June 30 are welcome. Flying ex DRW.

 

[mannej]

Gaining the 30SC's - what is your budget and available time? Is it worth it to keep PS?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Gaining the 30SC's - what is your budget and available time? Is it worth it to keep PS?

I'm not sure mannej, that's why I was looking for some AFF wisdom. Best I have found is CNS return for around $400. I'm not convinced retaining PS is worth that much. Time is not too much of an issue. Mrs Halliday has more travel than usual booked into next year, should that be a factor in the decision?

 

[mannej]

PS does have it's perks but it all depends - I am sure there are others on here who can help with the cheaper status run options.

 

[Awesom Andy]

How much flying will there be next year? And routes? The 50% bonus points might make it worth it.

 

[UP4014]

Spend half the $900 and a join the QF Club when she is going to fly next if that year is shaping up with a few flights.

Otherwise, that's a lot of airport coffee money you're spending and although it's getting a makeover the lounge you guys have isn't the most spacious.

Matt

 

[Captain Halliday]

How much flying will there be next year? And routes? The 50% bonus points might make it worth it.

Mostly domestic and some short haul international to SE Asia, all ex-DRW. Usually booked in whY because it's company policy. If Mrs Halliday can retain PS, my best estimate is she will easily retain PS next year, but probably not get enough miles to reach SG.

 

[Captain Halliday]

although it's getting a makeover the lounge you guys have isn't the most spacious.

So true re: the DRW lounge. :idea: I hadn't considered buying QP membership and letting the status lapse. AFF members have all the best ideas. Thanks Matt.

 

[Mwenenzi]

So true re: the DRW lounge. :idea: I hadn't considered buying QP membership and letting the status lapse. AFF members have all the best ideas. Thanks Matt.

Can buy QC club membership via AFF cheaper than on QF web site. Or does your work have a corporate scheme?
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-find-qantas-club-corp-9333-4.html#post640320
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....es/save-200-qantas-club-membership-10788.html

 

[Awesom Andy]

Mostly domestic and some short haul international to SE Asia, all ex-DRW. Usually booked in whY because it's company policy. If Mrs Halliday can retain PS, my best estimate is she will easily retain PS next year, but probably not get enough miles to reach SG.

Given this travel pattern, a really rough calculation would have the points difference between PS and NB at about 10,000 points for the year. Not really worth the effort, I think. QP membership is worth a look, but check that the destinations have lounges that are open when you need it to be.

 

[UP4014]

Mostly domestic and some short haul international to SE Asia, all ex-DRW. Usually booked in whY because it's company policy. If Mrs Halliday can retain PS, my best estimate is she will easily retain PS next year, but probably not get enough miles to reach SG.

If some flight work related and there is a 'need' (even a little one) for lounge access QC might be a tax deduction.

 

[Himeno]

I have a trip coming up in August to NRT. Combo JQ out, QF back. The internet wasn't cooperating to make that booking, so I went to my travel agent.
The agent managed to get the flight and classes I wanted (JQ23 - J, QF22 - T) and gave a quote. I asked it that JQ flight included the "Max Bundle". The agent had no idea, so called QFF. While waiting on hold, they checked the websites to price the same flights with the bundle should QFF say it didn't.

QFF picked up and after checking the booking said that, yes it would have the bundle - at $500 less then it would have had it been forced to book online.

 

[CaviAck]

I have a trip coming up in August to NRT. Combo JQ out, QF back. The internet wasn't cooperating to make that booking, so I went to my travel agent.
The agent managed to get the flight and classes I wanted (JQ23 - J, QF22 - T) and gave a quote. I asked it that JQ flight included the "Max Bundle". The agent had no idea, so called QFF. While waiting on hold, they checked the websites to price the same flights with the bundle should QFF say it didn't.

QFF picked up and after checking the booking said that, yes it would have the bundle - at $500 less then it would have had it been forced to book online.

Still wouldn't trust QF's word on that one but would rather ring up JQ and have them confirm it. QF is pretty bad with JQ info.

 

[markis10]

Still wouldn't trust QF's word on that one but would rather ring up JQ and have them confirm it. QF is pretty bad with JQ info.

I agree, Ring JQ.

 

[docjames]

What about DPS-SIN-DPS ON 1K?

 

[Himeno]

I have the name, date, time and location of who the travel agent spoke to. If QFF refuses it, they'll be told off.
The agent called JQ and was told to speak to, and was then transferred to, QFF.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

With comparing, PS and NB, I would pay the fare to go from DRW to ADL, stay overnight and fly back.
I am now palming on a lot of flights onto VA, and at 225, am very close to 250, yesterday, I did an ADL to MEL return, about 4.5 hours in MEL, and then back, that should give me 245, soon, and end of Jun, I am doing one MEL to ADL giving me 255.
That gets me to VA PS.
Go for it, if it was (your wife's QF PS attain/keep) a far off amount, then I would say, drop back to NB, and build up again, but so close, do a DRW to ADL or DRW to Timor Leste (pun intended-with Air North (if they still do that route, and if they still are in the QFF program)) as a SR and come back.
Immi would be keen if she did a next day return (of course), but getting PS is important, very important!
OR DRW to KNX, if she does not want to pass Immi, all domestic here: $307.69 from DRW out, and KNX back, $201.45, total $509.14.
About 4 hours in KNX (Kununurra).
EDIT: DRW to KNX only earns 10 SC per one way, sorry for being a pest, I thought it would be at least 15 per one way.

 

[Awesom Andy]

yesterday, I did an ADL to MEL return, about 4.5 hours in MEL, and then back, that should give me 245, soon, and end of Jun, I am doing one MEL to ADL giving me 255.

Wouldn't you book one of the legs as a flexi saver which gives you 20, so you wouldn't need to fly again?