JetStar Birthday Sale Question Thread

[AlexanderWalker]

So jetstar have some crazy discount sales on at the moment. I have some question I'm sure many could take value from.
I want to distinguish whether these are really good prices and if its worth purchasing them spontaneously now, OR am I just getting too excited and they're really not that great a deal?



I want to take advantage of these sales for international travel.

For example I found a (Business) Melbourne - Singapore ($449) and Sing - Mel ($422) totaling $871 (including taxes).
For an extra $400 per ticket you get JetStar's 'Max Bundle' which gives extra features like Refundable tickets, Lounge Access and a total of of 15,600 points and 240 status credits for an extra $800.
That doesn't seem very good value at all, is there a way to earn points and SC with JetStar without paying for that $800 fee?

Also for those who have experienced it, is business class on JetStar worth it for an international trip like above. Or is it best just to save my money and get the Plus Bundle or Max Bundle in Economy which totals $259 (Starter Fare) + $55 (Plus Bundle) / + $425 (Max Bundle)

Lastly, can you use Qantas points to purchase these tickets or cash plus points system with Qantas as they are partners?

All in all, what is the best method to take advantage of these cheap fares or would you guys advise patience and not be in such a rush?

 

[Mattg]

Hey there. Melbourne to Singapore and back for $871 is excellent value, even for Jetstar business class. You won't see prices get much lower than that on this route in the business cabin. By most accounts, Jetstar "business class" is like a decent premium economy product - perhaps not quite up to the standard of business class on premium carriers but still not bad. If you are flying on a 787 it should be better than the A330 as well - just something to keep in mind.

Unfortunately the business max bundle is not a good deal however in this case. The max bundle is not on sale, so to buy it you basically have to pay full business prices - which is why it's an extra $400 or so. When business class is not on sale, it's usually about $100 more. Even though you would get lounge access and points/SCs with the max bundle, it's not good value here.

You can use Qantas points to fly Jetstar, but I would personally advise against it as you only get a 20% discount off regular redemption prices (and still have to pay all the taxes). As Jetstar fares can often be picked up cheaply (as it can be here), there's no point using your points for one. I recall an example a little while back where a cash fare on Jetstar could be purchased for a few dollars less than the taxes associated with a points booking, so obviously that was pretty awful value. But it varies from flight to flight.

Anyway, in the example you have pointed out, my advice would be: Purchase that business class trip to Singapore with cash. But don't pay for the max bundle, and save your Qantas points.

 

[AlexanderWalker]

Matt thank you for coming through again with a great response.

You've personally helped me out a lot over time, really appreciate it!

There's a free travel hacking course I've been watching and learning from for 6 weeks now, check it out I think you and a lot of people here could get a lot of value from it.

 

[Austman]

A Jetstar Starter Plus with an Extra Leg Room seat (for $45) on some JQi long hauls is really the best value of all.

Better value than JQi business class IMO.

For example on MEL-SIN or vv you get the best Y seats (eg 44A on the A330 is great! - equal almost to the business seats - but with much better legroom), 2 meals and most importantly 3,900 QFF points and 40 status credits (and more QFF points if you have status - eg double the points for plats). Better than QFi sale fares in fact. All for as little as $287 each way (including the Extra Leg Room seat fee).

JQi business class? Just do as above and pay $7 each for some wines with your (QFi like) meals and it's like JQi business but with plastic cutlery (well nearly like ...). Add for less than $20, book the comfort kit (which can be used again) and entertainment if you wish (I don't bother).

And of course QFF golds and plats get the lounge access too if there is a QP at the airport (there is in SIN).

The big minus is the new 7kg limit on carry on.

 

[AlexanderWalker]

Adding the +bundle ($55 each*) to both return Economy tickets ends up at $671 for me NOT including the extra baggage fee.
Add $70 for 20kg checked baggage return. = $741 which is then more expensive than my plan to do the bellow.

Comparing that to my intended decision to book one way Economy for $259 and return Business for $422. (+$190) = $681 + $35 checked bag and $7 seat pick = $723

Business I'd get 30kg back as well instead of only 20kg.

I spend so much time on planning this stuff it's getting ridiculous.

 

[Austman]

Business I'd get 30kg back as well instead of only 20kg.

I spend so much time on planning this stuff it's getting ridiculous.

You do have to weigh it all up! (sorry)

But the 15,600 QFF points and 80 QF status credits that I received by flying JQi in a Y Starter + Bundle return verses the 0 QFF points and 0 QF status credits that I would have received by flying in JQi business, makes a big difference. And seat 44A is a better seat than any of the JQi A330 business seats IMO (I've been in them many times).

 

[AlexanderWalker]

Actually maybe that's not the best option.

I was searching through Qantas and found award flights for my exact dates on Jetstar for 96k points RETURN Business.

Then I saw the if I change just the return I can get the First Class on Emirates Boeing 777 for a total of 138k points.

Meaning one way business and return on first for 138k.

Instead of $650 economy / $750 economy/business.

This sounds like good value, is it?

 

[Austman]

Then I saw the if I change just the return I can get the First Class on Emirates Boeing 777 for a total of 138k points.

This sounds like good value, is it?

Plus the $477.42 in taxes!

Clearly you need to do a bit more research.

 

[AlexanderWalker]

Woah didn't get to the payment part to see that.

Damn it.

(Obviously they are somehow) But I don't see how award flights are ever good value when they charge such high taxes.

 

[Austman]

But I don't see how award flights are ever good value when they charge such high taxes.

That's why many AFF'ers use their points for other things, like upgrades. The taxes on certain flights are not too bad (eg Australian domestic).

 

[AlexanderWalker]

To recap what type of fares can you upgrade with points?

I know you can't with sale fares, award flights as well?

 

[Mattg]

To recap what type of fares can you upgrade with points?

I know you can't with sale fares, award flights as well?

With Qantas you can upgrade any flight with points (subject to availability of course) except an International sale fare or classic reward flights.

 

[AlexanderWalker]

Do you think there's a efficient way to utilise my points if I purchase an economy ticket in order to get an upgraded flight with JetStar?

Or possibly purchasing a Qantas flight, which is hundreds more expensive for a return Economy but I can upgrade it easily to first. I just don't know how many points it would cost.

Actually looking now at Qantas at the saver fares (the cheapest upgradable choice) are so much more expensive, I'd end up paying $300-400 more for return than my original Economy / Business with Jetstar.

Struggling to figure out how we find affordable smart ways to use points with all these options stacked against us.

 

[Austman]

Do you think there's a efficient way to utilise my points if I purchase an economy ticket in order to get an upgraded flight with JetStar?

Or possibly purchasing a Qantas flight, which is hundreds more expensive for a return Economy but I can upgrade it easily to first. I just don't know how many points it would cost.

You can't upgrade with points on Jetstar.

You can't upgrade from economy to first on Qantas either.

It's only from economy to premium economy or business. And it's not always easy. You know straight away for most domestic upgrades but you'll not know generally until close to your flight date/time for international upgrades.

How many points it will cost is on the qantas website.

 

[medhead]

With Qantas you can upgrade any flight with points (subject to availability of course) except an International sale fare or classic reward flights.

International red-e-deals, when there aren't sale fares, can't be upgraded either.