Platinum [member booking JQ award]

[Aussie_flyer]

the reason why Jetstar awards are 20% cheaper than Qantas awards is because they factor in the fact its a budget service.

 

[puppysparkes]

My understanding is that staff purchase discounted standby tickets and can only travel if there is an available seat. Therefore paying customers usually take priority over staff travel. This means that a staff member may not travel on their preferred day even if they have paid for several tickets on various routes to get to their destination. I personally know of a fairly senior and a junior QF staff member had their travel plans delayed because of this exact reason.

 

[serfty]

It may help to know that when Jetstar first began flying there were NO benefits available for PAX with elite status (or Qantas Club membership) when travelling on Jetstar..

NO lounge access, NO opportunity to earn points or SC's, NO reward redemptions.

I post the above to illustrate how the Qantas group really perceive Jetstar.

That some benefits are available these days I put down to a begrudging change forced upon the Qantas group due partly to backlash incurred when they began "Jetstarising" many routes, replacing QF services with Jetstar; another part was burgeoning competion from Virgin Blue.)

Still, if circumstances are such that you end up flying Jetstar, expect nothing and you won't be disappointed.

Stick around here on this forum ... there are many with decades of experience who have ways to maximise their experience, even if flying Jetstar.

e.g. If I were flying SYD to Tokyo as a WP on JQ in economy, firstly there would have to be a bloody good reason. . Secondly I would know to get to the airport 3¼ hours before scheduled departure to be at the front of the Queue when check-in/bag drop opens (supposedly) 3 hours beforehand. Thirdly I use a strategically saved express pass to spirit my way through security and emigration to the Qantas First lounge to prepare for the upcoming flight.

(On the matter of using the business class (nee Star class) queue; from its inception, it was only available to CL and those travelling in the pointy end. I am not sure if WP1 get to use it these days.)

 

[medhead]

You couldn't get a jetstar business award?

As for water. I thought that one cup of water was offered for free. But it turns out that water is provided with all meals, and meals have to be pre-ordered/purchased. Isn't there also supposed to be water fountain somewhere for refilling bottles? Food and Drinks | Jetstar

Overall, Jetstar is a completely separate airline when there is a chance to stuff around the customer but also part of qantas group when there is a chance to stuff around the customer. Either way anyone with status can be expected to lose with flying with Jetstar, well actually all customers can expect to lose on Jetstar.

Having said that, $400 return to Japan is attractive.

the reason why Jetstar awards are 20% cheaper than Qantas awards is because they factor in the fact its a budget service.

Aren't there also differences between booking with the QF website and JQ website.

 

[serfty]

...
Aren't there also differences between booking with the QF website and JQ website.

I think the subtle difference more relate to QF codeshare over JQ flight numbers, and it varies if one is on a Classic award.

Qantas Industry Sales Site - Policies and Procedures - Qantas Codeshare on Jetstar Operated Flights

 

[esseeeayeenn]

A big reason for the many misunderstandings surrounding staff travel is that one of the primary conditions of using staff travel is that you don't discuss it.
That's also a big reason to doubt any rumours you may hear about it.

 

[N860CR]

From what I've heard from Qantas staff of late, the business cabins are running at close to 100% capacity due to the "bid now" upgrade program so it's very unlikely to see any large number of staff on discounted tickets onboard.

I have had access to Qantas staff travel in the past and, given how difficult it is to use and how expensive it has become, I wouldn't consider using it again.

 

[samh004]

I thought by law they have to provide 'tap' water? I know I have asked for water on JQ before and received a cup of water (not bottled... Not even cold).

JQ has never had any kind of priority service or anything. I'm not even certain QF elites can check in at the JQ Business Class counters (in cities that have them) - I suspect so, but am not certain. Long lines are to be expected.

Only Chairmans Lounge can use the JQ J counters.

 

[Austman]

Thirdly I use a strategically saved express pass to spirit my way through security and emigration to the Qantas First lounge to prepare for the upcoming flight.

I've also, after checking in at JQi, gone over to the QF First desk and asked for one (as a WP). No problems so far!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

My friend hopped on QF flight that I was advised that there was no available seat by QFF platinum desk.

.

If there are no business class seats on a QF operated flight then the other option is to purchase an econony fare that is eligible to use for a points upgrade.

You can find out by clicking on the fare rules before you complete the booking whether the fare you select is eligible.

She was telling me that 12 passengers in business class on the QF flight were Qantas employee getting benefit of the staff discount!!!!

What sector was this and how did the friend know there was allegedly 12 staff in J???

Apparently Qantas employee discount take over loyal client to Qantas.

Incorrect. QF staff on leisure travel (who are eligible for an upgrade to J) would only receive an upgrade after any commercial passengers (who opted in for an airport upgrade) had received theirs.

If there are any staff in J then all commercial points upgrade requests have been processed. Not everyone may get 60 hours notice like I did but even if they got the upgrade the day prior or on the day at the airport it would still be before any staff.

Do you have any similar experience?

The only time I've done a points upgrade request was for SYD/HNL on QF in Feb and as a Plat received notification 60 hours prior to departure that the upgrade was successful.

 

[Priscilla_A]

Hi Dr Ralph,

I asked for a glass of water, the Jetstar flight attendant told me to charge.
Whenever I talk about my experience with Jetstar service, Je is replaced to Shi......

 

[samh004]

FWIW I've never had a problem being served 'warm' water on JQ in a glass, and not being charged.

I recall once even being given some panadol with my water because they could see I was clearly hungover from a night out!

 

[boomy]

FWIW I've never had a problem being served 'warm' water on JQ in a glass, and not being charged.

A glass of water is indeed free on JQ but I've noticed they often forget to bring it

This is not exclusive to JQ, I've seen it also in many restaurants, order something that cost money and it will be served immediately but order some tap water and you wait forever...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A glass of water is indeed free on JQ but I've noticed they often forget to bring it

This is not exclusive to JQ, I've seen it also in many restaurants, order something that cost money and it will be served immediately but order some tap water and you wait forever...

A friend flew JQ yesterday to SIN - hot meal options (pre-purchase) are now $24! :shock: That's for a standard meal that looks pretty much like a regular economy meal. Talk about making a huge profit... brings the price levels to that of a restaurant.

 

[smit0847]

At a counter, I presented my QF platinum membership card to retrieve my booking. Another polo-shirt Jetstar staff said "What is it???"

I cannot stop giggling at this....

 

[Aussie_flyer]

A friend flew JQ yesterday to SIN - hot meal options (pre-purchase) are now $24! :shock: That's for a standard meal that looks pretty much like a regular economy meal. Talk about making a huge profit... brings the price levels to that of a restaurant.

The plus pack includes a meal so why not just do that instead and also pocket the 7800 points as a platinum. Its $85 and includes bags points meal and sc. Its not bad value.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

By the time you pay for the plus pack couldn't you have paid for a fare on a full service airline?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

By the time you pay for the plus pack couldn't you have paid for a fare on a full service airline?

Jq often have one way for $200. Sometimes they are the cheapest fare of the day. You actually earn more points on JQ than you do on QF discount economy . Obviously it pays to shop around.

 

[medhead]

I've also, after checking in at JQi, gone over to the QF First desk and asked for one (as a WP). No problems so far!

last time I did that I got told it's not allowed, but we'll do it this one time.

The plus pack includes a meal so why not just do that instead and also pocket the 7800 points as a platinum. Its $85 and includes bags points meal and sc. Its not bad value.

I don't think a plus pack can be added to an award as per the OP's case.

 

[JohnK]

So sorry, not much sympathy here. Stick around AFF and hopefully you can avoid the same predicament again.

There should always be sympathy.

Just because people on AFF are clued up on all the rules doesn't mean that everyone is the same.

Jetstar flights are offered everywhere on Qantas website. Sometimes at the expense of much more attractive routings on partners as I discovered recently. The Qantas website is deceptive. And I am almost certain that if you called up and booked award seats and they offered Jetstar flights to you they certainly wouldn't be explaining the downfalls either.

Jetstar is a subsidiary of Qantas. That's where the deception starts.

They are totally different entities and should be highlighted on website. Only offer Qantas flights and offer a checkbox with the option to include Jetstar flights but note with Jetstar we do not recognise status, no priority, no free food/water, possibly no interlined luggage.

Do you think there'll still be as many people using points to fly Jetstar?