Jetstar ODU with new fare types

[strippett]

Be very interested to see if you can still ODU on jetstar and if the offer SC & FF points ? We are going to HNL in Aug and normally ODU so would like to know if this is still an option as we would not pay for the upgrade if we dot get points and SC.

 

[Mal]

JQ OD upgrades have not *officially* earnt points or SC's for at least a year. I think with the latest changes, the chance of getting either is pretty moot.

But I have no practical experience since the changes ... And doubt you'll get confirmation for a little while..

 

[samh004]

I would imagine (no experience) that the ODU if still offered would be to the lower business fare, and if you had to send a copy of your boarding pass in the lack of "LNGE" signifying a "Max" fare with lounge access might be the key.

 

[pshepvic]

Points and SCs earned are usually based on the original fare purchased. So if you purchase a Y fare on QF and upgrade to PE or J, you would still earn at the Y rate, not nothing at all.

I would then argue that the same should apply on JQ. If you purchased a Y fare with a Plus or Max bundle, and upgrade to J, you should still earn points based on the original fare purchased (ie. at discount economy rates on the Plus or at full economy rates on the max fare). After all, you have specifically paid to earn points with that fare.

This may mean you need to send in both a BP and the itinerary if the points don't credit, however when you do an ODU they normally just issue a BP with the new class details rather than change the fare type in the system, don't they?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Points and SCs earned are usually based on the original fare purchased. So if you purchase a Y fare on QF and upgrade to PE or J, you would still earn at the Y rate, not nothing at all.

I would then argue that the same should apply on JQ. If you purchased a Y fare with a Plus or Max bundle, and upgrade to J, you should still earn points based on the original fare purchased (ie. at discount economy rates on the Plus or at full economy rates on the max fare). After all, you have specifically paid to earn points with that fare.

This may mean you need to send in both a BP and the itinerary if the points don't credit, however when you do an ODU they normally just issue a BP with the new class details rather than change the fare type in the system, don't they?

Fully agree that you should earn points for the original fare paid - but the difference with ODUs is that they are a paid $ upgrade.

In your qantas example, if you had purchased Y, and then purchased an upgrade, with $ to PE, I would expect the PE points and SCs. Your ticket is essentially being reissued at the higher fare class (as opposed to a points upgrade whish is not considered a paid money upgrade).

Of course jetstar is free to clearly state that paid $ upgrades to Starclass are to be booked into a non earning class.

 

[pshepvic]

To me a paid ODU is the same as points. You're not paying the full fare difference between Y and J, your just paying an amount to cover costs and generate a little bit extra revenue they otherwise wouldn't have received. But it's not the full difference that they would have received if the seats in J had all been sold previously.

Many other airlines offer paid ODUs the same as points (eg. Virgin America). In that case you still earn on the original fare purchased.

If they charged the full fare difference (which is what QF would do if you wanted to pay to change to J on the day) then yes it would change the whole fare class and you'd earn points at J levels - ie. nothing for J and full rates in JMax.

 

[samh004]

The bottom line is that some have paid for ODU’s and received points at the higher fare class, so the OP wants to know if they’d still get away with it or not

 

[MH_fan]

You used to be able to get points for ODUs but with the new fare structure, I highly doubt it. Your ODU can still occur but it will be to the Business starter fare (where you don't get points) rather than the Nusiness max fare. Smart move on QF/JQ's part.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

you certainly did get lounge access with the old ODU's though, regardless of QF status. perhaps that will no longer be the case.

for the record i never had an ODU NOT earn points and SC's. will try one under new system and see what happens i guess.

 

[strippett]

Has anyone tried this yet?

 

[MacBH]

I'm planning to try this on JQ7 next Saturday (11th of June).

Any suggestions on how much I should offer to pay for it?

Should I just go to the normal check in counter or is there a special service desk for those requests? Best to arrive about 3 hours before departure?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm planning to try this on JQ7 next Saturday (11th of June).

Any suggestions on how much I should offer to pay for it?

Should I just go to the normal check in counter or is there a special service desk for those requests? Best to arrive about 3 hours before departure?

Normal check-in counter is fine. They may direct you to the service counter. Best to arrive early. Probably won't include lounge access or points with the upgrade, but I would suggest $200-$250 would be reasonable, depending on your initial fare paid.

 

[MacBH]

Just to give you all an update:

I received a phone call from Jetstar today offering me an upgrade to Business Class for $149 AUD or for $199 AUD to Business Class with Lounge access, frequent flyer points and status credits.

I picked the second option. I have recently joined QP but I figured the extra $50 would be worth it just for the 7499 points and the 120 status credits alone. If this happens to me a few more times my chances of attaining gold this year would be greatly improved.

My original fare was a Jetsaver (converted to Starter) fare ($199 + $56 meal fee). Not sure if that has impacted the upgrade cost or not.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just to give you all an update:

I received a phone call from Jetstar today offering me an upgrade to Business Class for $149 AUD or for $199 AUD to Business Class with Lounge access, frequent flyer points and status credits.

I picked the second option. I have recently joined QP but I figured the extra $50 would be worth it just for the 7499 points and the 120 status credits alone. If this happens to me a few more times my chances of attaining gold this year would be greatly improved.

My original fare was a Jetsaver (converted to Starter) fare ($199 + $56 meal fee). Not sure if that has impacted the upgrade cost or not.

great deal!! and thanks for the update! They must be struggling on that route! (at least for the prem cabin).

 

[k_sheep]

I just got a call about the same flight but a day later, upgrade for $449.

Ah, no, thank you.

Will try at the airport.

 

[strippett]

Let us know how you go at the airport and if they off 2 different prices for no lounge and lounge access

 

[k_sheep]

Upgrade for $249, not offered 2 different prices. I made sure that price included FF points and SCs - they actually had to look it up because they weren't sure. Boarding pass printed with "Starter Frequent Flyer"

 

[strippett]

Ok so heading to HNL in 30 days any new info on ODU or any calls from jetstar to upgrade before the flight if so when did they they call? Thank

 

[cgoh]

Has anyone had the luck/ chance to request ODU for Jetstar JQ7/8?

If so, what's the price/ condition/ QFF points status?

Planning to book a flight for this Friday so any comment is appreciated.

 

[pshepvic]

Not sure of that flight, but recently flew MEL-DPS on JQ35 in J, and a friend in Y on the same flight was offered $399. Ridiculous considering the difference at the time of booking was less than that!