JQ38 Delayed by 5 hours: DPS - SYD - MEL

[hugowood]

Hi all,

So... Here I am... sitting in the Sydney International Terminal after a 6am wakeup for JQ38 SYD-MEL.

I am flying the second leg of Jetstar's flight 38, which flies from Denpasar to Sydney, and then Sydney to Melbourne. I arrive at the terminal at about 7am, 2 hours prior to departure (9:05am).

I glance at the boards to see which check in desk Jetstar was at, and saw a "delayed by 3 and a half hours", with a new departure time of 12:50pm.

No worries, I thought to myself. "I'm travelling business class so more lounge time for me!"

To my horror, the Jetstar check-in representative advised me that my ticket was only a "normal business fare" and not a "business max fare" and so I do not gain access to the lounge. What even is the difference?!!

They told me they were unable to change my flight as there were no earlier ones (another lie).

I'm handed an $8 "refreshment voucher" and told to more or less, get lost for 6 hours.

Horrible service. I would expect that knowing Jetstar have my mobile number, they would at least text me saying don't turn up to the airport for a few hours.

Am I asking for too much if I attempt to get some compensation out of them? Like a flight voucher or something similar?

I already checked out of my hotel, so I have no where to go. These seats at the airport are awful uncomfortable! haha!

I'd be keen to hear everyones opinion, and what actions, if any, I should take.

Thank you!

 

[RooFlyer]

Regrettably, flying Jetstar I suspect there is nothing you can do that will result in satisfaction. I rarely fly with them, for good reason I think, so am unfamiliar with Business / Business Max fares and their entitlements, but as regards flight delays and even cancellations, I suspect their T&Cs would be worded such that your experience has no come-back.

Would be pleased if others find differently.

 

[hugowood]

Thanks RooFlyer, I thought that might be the case. Oh well, at least I know not to fly Jet star again! There's one positive out of the experience!

 

[jetpack]

A 3.5 hr delay does't seem to me to be compensation worthy. Perhaps it is more difficult for Jetstar to put people on alternative flights because the delayed flight is departing from the international terminal? Ironically though a WP probably wouldn't have been bothered, and more likely would be pleased, by a delay like this.

 

[Austman]

Considering that Business allows free flight changes, even on the day of the flight, you might be able to pay the fare difference and buy a Business Max. Then you'll have lounge access. But it's probably going to be $80.00 if they do it at all.

(you'll get 1,400 QFF points and 40 status credits also)

 

[mannej]

There are those who complain over the automatic delay SMS that arrive in the early hours of the morning.

 

[hugowood]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I just found out that Rydges Hotel which is literally, at the airport, has a plane spotting area (top level of the hotel) which gives a great view of the whole airport. There's an indoor and an outdoor area, I couldn't ask for anything better! Only 3 hours to go...

 

[RooFlyer]

There are those who complain over the automatic delay SMS that arrive in the early hours of the morning.

And there are those who silence such message alerts overnight if they don't want to hear it

 

[ckck]

I was on JQ37 yesterday and waited out the five hours in the MEL J int lounge. As a QFF SG I had lounge access.

Difference between the normal business fare and the Business Max fare is that the max bundle gives you all the extras like lounge acces, FF points and SC's. If you don't purchase the Max bundle, or you don't have QFF status of SG or above, or a lounge pass (occasionally people give them away through AFF or you are given one from QF when you become a PS) then there is no lounge access I am sorry to say.

 

[sydks]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I just found out that Rydges Hotel which is literally, at the airport, has a plane spotting area (top level of the hotel) which gives a great view of the whole airport. There's an indoor and an outdoor area, I couldn't ask for anything better! Only 3 hours to go...

I think I read about this somewhere, what was it like? Do you pay for entry? Did you get any pics?

 

[blu]

starclass without the Max bundle is just a better seat.
That DPS 787 service is getting some complaints from cancellations & delays.

 

[JohnK]

There are those who complain over the automatic delay SMS that arrive in the early hours of the morning.

That's their problem. I would rather have the delay SMS even if the SMS depresses me.