Is Star Class going to be removed from being QFF business equivalent?

[davi]

Trying to plan another Vietnam trip around June and thought I would consider going Jetstar with a hope of an upgrade on starclass either way to get some more status credits and points. To my surprise though (and maybe I have misinterpreted it) the QFF site table now lists the following:
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

Jetstar Airways (JQ) (3K) (VF)​

Jet Flex
StarClass

Economy
Premium

1
1
-
25%
Status Credits are earned on all eligible Booking Classes. Flights operated by Jetstar Asia (3K) and Valueair (VF) do not offer StarClass.

Is this correct? Now that Qantas has premium economy, it will only be rating StarClass as that also? Interestingly, the JetStar site hasn't changed this yet.
Would be interested to know if anyone else is aware of this, or if I have just mis-interpreted QFFs table (though i'm sure it used to say Business).

 

[Mal]

I assume it's a typo from when they last updated the page.

There has been no notification from Qantas regarding the change (not that they technically have to for an earning change like that, but I would have expected it as part of one of the newsletters), and award tickets are still pricing out at the Business rates.

Note that Serfty travelled StarClass only last month (see another thread) and was credited the correct SC's for Business.

 

[Febs]

When the proposed JQ FF program comes in, won't we see JQ flights drop off from QFF points earning (both miles and SC's) entirely?

 

[Evan]

When the proposed JQ FF program comes in, won't we see JQ flights drop off from QFF points earning (both miles and SC's) entirely?

Possibly, possibly not, i would guess QF will keep the code shares and points for atleast some flights, its useful to them.

E

 

[NM]

Now that QF is introducing Premium Economy, I would not be surprised to see StarClass changed to earn the same as PE on QF.

 

[straitman]

Now that QF is introducing Premium Economy, I would not be surprised to see StarClass changed to earn the same as PE on QF.

Please oh please, don't give them ideas for 'enhancements' :!:

 

[simongr]

I also dont think that JQ disappearing is a lock in - you can earn points on many airlines that arent QF so maybe...

 

[oz_mark]

Jetstar Airways (JQ) (3K) (VF)
Jet Flex
StarClass

Economy
Premium

1
1
-
25%
Status Credits are earned on all eligible Booking Classes. Flights operated by Jetstar Asia (3K) and Valueair (VF) do not offer StarClass.

Is this correct? Now that Qantas has premium economy, it will only be rating StarClass as that also? Interestingly, the JetStar site hasn't changed this yet.
Would be interested to know if anyone else is aware of this, or if I have just mis-interpreted QFFs table (though i'm sure it used to say Business).

Isn't that earning rate the same as what Qantas Business lists as. Also in the Status Credit earn table (Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Benefits & Privileges) it says '**For flights on Jetstar, Business includes travel on StarClass fares. '.

I can't see that anything has changed in the terms.

 

[Optics]

Now that QF is introducing Premium Economy, I would not be surprised to see StarClass changed to earn the same as PE on QF.

I think that would be sensible, provided they also change the burn side of the equation so booking *C on points only costs the same as booking PE. Too late for me though, I already have a *C trip for the family booked that cost me J points, though with a 20% discount at least.

 

[serfty]

I had a look at the T&C from September last year and StarClass was already listed there as "Premium" - i.e. the same as noted by the OP.

Not the Qantas (QF) airline earning table refers to "Premium Economy".

Like several others have posted, it may change in the future - indeed probably.

 

[ANstar]

When the proposed JQ FF program comes in, won't we see JQ flights drop off from QFF points earning (both miles and SC's) entirely?

There was an article with Alan Joyce saying that they have decided not to launch their own FF prgram and will instead use the QF program going forward.

As for the "Premium" classificaiton... Jetstar do sell STAR as being a business class product, however QF only really refer to it as Jetstar's premium cabin. I presume this is to avoid confusion with QF's business product.

I think we will continue to see the J earn rates as long as JQ like to market it as business class.

 

[simongr]

They will need to do something to distinguish it from real Premium Economy coming in April (or whenever). It is a different product (some would say inferior to PE on some levels) this needs to be differentiated.

[aside]

Is the PE product going into the 744s the same as the PE product in the A380?

[/aside]

 

[NM]

[aside]

Is the PE product going into the 744s the same as the PE product in the A380?

[/aside]

As far as the information I have seen, it will be the same.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

From Jetstar.com:

"^ Qantas Frequent Flyers travelling on a Jetstar (JQ) JetFlex or StarClass fare will earn equivalent points per mile and Status Credits as earned on Qantas flights. JetFlex fares earn at the full economy level. StarClass fares earn at the full business level"

Aside/ searching for MEL-BKK flights shows this Thursday's flight as only having sold 3 *C seats and a 1/3 of Y class...seems a fairly light loading? Unless not all purchased seats are shown on seat allocation.

 

[JohnK]

I would expect that at some point in the future Jetstar *class would only earn Premium Economy SCs and FF points and would require a 50% surcharge on FF points required for normal WHY awards. Similar to BA World Traveller Plus.

I am not sure whether Qantas need to give QFF members any notice on this type of change. Probably via a newsletter but not the statutory 6 months notice.

Flights operated by Jetstar Asia (3K) and Valueair (VF) do not offer StarClass.

Jetstar was the only one to offer *class. It was never offered on Jetstar Asia and Valueair flights.

When the proposed JQ FF program comes in, won't we see JQ flights drop off from QFF points earning (both miles and SC's) entirely?

I think you will have a choice of which FF program to credit the flights. Similar to what is currently happening with other QF partners or Oneworld Airlines.

I think that would be sensible, provided they also change the burn side of the equation so booking *C on points only costs the same as booking PE. Too late for me though, I already have a *C trip for the family booked that cost me J points, though with a 20% discount at least.

They have had a 20% discount for *Class award bookings for as long as I can remember. So lets say a business class SYD-BKK one-way is normally 60,000 QFF points it only requires 48,000 QFF points with the discount.

Assuming that they eventually change the number of QFF points required for a *class award booking to be the same as Premium Economy then a SYD-BKK one-way would require 45,000 QFF points. Not a huge saving to the current QFF points required for *class award booking.

 

[simongr]

I think you will have a choice of which FF program to credit the flights. Similar to what is currently happening with other QF partners or Oneworld Airlines.

There was an article with Alan Joyce saying that they have decided not to launch their own FF prgram and will instead use the QF program going forward.

Looks like no JQ FFP.

 

[ANstar]

I think I mentioned this before, but a slong as Jetstar keep marketing Star Class as BUSINESS class, I would expect it to earn business class credits.

There was an ad in the telegraph on the weekend and it had a huge full page ad on Jetstar's business cabin.

Just because we all see it for what it really is (PE) doesnt mean it will be devalued. (hopefully)

 

[pauly7]

There was an article with Alan Joyce saying that they have decided not to launch their own FF prgram and will instead use the QF program going forward.

.

Wonder if this means they will expand it to all fares earning some rate of points... (e.g. .5 points for Jetsaver?)??