Qns: Flying Jetstar on Classic Rewards

[Zetta]

Hi, I have just booked a classic rewards flight on Jetstar and realised it may not be what I expected in terms of inclusions. Can I be corrected if any of the following is incorrect? Thanks.

Details: BNE (D) - MEL (T4 - T2) - SIN (T4) | SIN(T4) - MEL(T2 - T4) - BNE (D)

Baggage: All flights on Qantas booking page is showing 30kg (Both domestic and international). On Jetstar booking, it is all blank out. Can I assume Classic Rewards on Jetstar is 30kg as it is part of an international journey?
Carry on: 7kg
Seat selection: None
Onboard food: None
Onboard entertainment: None

Next, as a Qantas Club member, I am assuming my family (self + 1A +2C) can access the lounge at even on Jetstar flights:
- BNE (D) BNE - MEL JQ563
- MEL (T2) MEL - SIN JQ7
- SIN(T1) SIN - MEL JQ8
- MEL(T1) MEL - BNE JQ570

More questions:
- I am assuming I will need to pick up my luggage at MEL airport to cross customs for both directions as I am transiting to (Domestic/International)
- For SIN - MEL, how early can I check in baggage? 3hours?
- Is it painful to go from SIN T4 to T1 to visit the lounge? Website mentioned it is 18 mins each way - Transfer Between Terminals & Jewel | Singapore Changi Airport
- On arrival in MEL T2 and crossing customs, I am assuming I will need to go to T4 and check in my luggage, before using the lounge in T1?
- According to Jetstar website, checked baggage only opens 2 hours before, does that mean we will need to hang out with my luggage from 7am - 1pm before I can use the lounge or lug it into the lounge in T1 if that is allowed through domestic customs?

Thank you very much.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Cant answer a lot, dont know answer.
Just on way back, JQ dep MEL T4, QP is in T1, its a pain to enter T1 just for the lounge, with all your bags, and then out to T4.
There is no internal walkway inside dom security from T1 to T4.
Once inside T1, you have to exit T1 and do dom security again at T4.
===
Not to mention, how much time you have to get from T1 to T4.

 

[elanshin]

Baggage: All flights on Qantas booking page is showing 30kg (Both domestic and international). On Jetstar booking, it is all blank out. Can I assume Classic Rewards on Jetstar is 30kg as it is part of an international journey?

I believe it depends on when it was booked. It's supposed to be 30kg if you booked it after Feb 15 this year. Otherwise it used to be 20kg. Everything else you listed is correct. You can select seats if you want to pay for it via the JQ website under MMB.

Next, as a Qantas Club member, I am assuming my family (self + 1A +2C) can access the lounge at even on Jetstar flights:

You should have access to all Qantas lounges although. However in practical sense:
BNE D - reasonable distance just keep an eye on the gate, boarding and how long it will take to walk there.
MEL T2 - Int'l departure no problems accessing Qantas Business Lounge
SIN (T4) JQ no longer departs out of T1 and instead out of T4 now. This means you will have a fair bit of a walk from the Qantas business lounge in T1 to T2 (or the internal train) then hop on a transit bus to T4.
MEL (D) - Qantas T1 is at the polar opposite end to JQ in T4. For the average person it will take you a good solid 30 mins to reach the gate walking from Qantas Club (longer if T4 security is slow).

- I am assuming I will need to pick up my luggage at MEL airport to cross customs for both directions as I am transiting to (Domestic/International)

I do not believe JQ through checks luggage (unless under very special circumstances) so yes you will need to go pick up your luggage then recheck them in. On the way back you will need to also clear customs with your bags as an international arrival

- For SIN - MEL, how early can I check in baggage? 3hours?

I think it's up to 12 hours in advance?

- Is it painful to go from SIN T4 to T1 to visit the lounge? Website mentioned it is 18 mins each way - Transfer Between Terminals & Jewel | Singapore Changi Airport

Haven't done the journey. Last time i flew out of SIN on JQ, they were still in T1.
https://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/transport/transfer-between-terminals-and-jewel.html

- On arrival in MEL T2 and crossing customs, I am assuming I will need to go to T4 and check in my luggage, before using the lounge in T1?

Yes you would need to clear customs in T2, drop your bags off in T4 then go back to T1 if you want to use the lounge.

- According to Jetstar website, checked baggage only opens 2 hours before, does that mean we will need to hang out with my luggage from 7am - 1pm before I can use the lounge or lug it into the lounge in T1 if that is allowed through domestic customs?

Won't be able to get past security with checked luggage. So yes in theory you will need to wait a while. May be able to drop it off a little bit earlier in practise.

 

[papeto]

Hi Zetta
We flew SIN-MEL-SYD on a QFF rewards ticket two weeks ago, with the SIN-MEL leg with Jetstar (JQ8) and the MEL-SYD leg with Qantas. On Jetstar you get 30kg check in allowance and carry on is limited to 7kg. You can check in early at Changi for Jetstar and Qantas flights at the Jewel (close to terminal 1 ) see here - Departure early check-in. Its all self sevice (like Qantas check-ins) . Please note, I intially tried using the flight refrence number, but it told me to go to T4 as there was an issue. I then tried my passport (it gives you the option) and that worked and we could check in 10 hours before! So luggage was checked in and we got our boarding passes for JQ8 but not the MEL-SYD leg ( We sorted that out in MEL at the Qantas desk). There is also baggage storage next door , which was useful to store carry-on.

Your luggage will only be checked to MEL as you need to collect it and go through customs and than check -in again at the domestic terminal. We then left for the day and went to the city for lunch. When we came back we went to the Qantas lounge in T1 and had a shower and dinner (I am QFF gold) . The staff at at the lounge advised us to leave 90 min before the flight to get to T4 which we did. You can get an airside bus at T1 and from memory it leaves from Gate C21 every 24 min.

On Jetstar you get nothing - no seat selection, food or entertainment so BYO or eat in the lounge. On arrival at MEL ( on time actually), the airport was choas and it took us much longer than expected to get our luggage. This meant we missed our initial Qantas flight to Sydney. We than went to the help desk and after a bit of umming and ahhing, they re-booked us on the next flight. It appears groundstaff weren't sure how to handle a QFF rewards ticket with Jetstar and QF flights on it.

Hope that helps and enjoy the trip!

 

[dajop]

- For SIN - MEL, how early can I check in baggage? 3hours?
- Is it painful to go from SIN T4 to T1 to visit the lounge? Website mentioned it is 18 mins each way - Transfer Between Terminals & Jewel | Singapore Changi Airport
-

You can check in earlier then 3 hrs before your flight - at the early check in area in the Jewel complex. This area is located on the same level as, and adjacent to the arrivals hall in T1 at SIN (very close to the taxi and grab pick up areas). The advantage of this is that from there it's a short walk into T1, up the escalators to departures level and then through immigration and off to the Qantas lounge. After imbibing in the QF lounge, make your way to C21, which is <5mins and then to bus departure lounge for the journey to T4 - all up probably allow 45 mins for the journey, including walk, up to 13 min wait, bus ride then a longer walk in T4 - JQ8 always seems to go from the furthest gate. When I did it a few months ago, I left the lounge at 19:55 for the 21:00 flight and reached the gate about 2-3 mins before they started pre-boarding those needing assistance.

 

[Zetta]

I believe it depends on when it was booked. It's supposed to be 30kg if you booked it after Feb 15 this year. Otherwise it used to be 20kg. Everything else you listed is correct. You can select seats if you want to pay for it via the JQ website under MMB.

You should have access to all Qantas lounges although. However in practical sense:
BNE D - reasonable distance just keep an eye on the gate, boarding and how long it will take to walk there.
MEL T2 - Int'l departure no problems accessing Qantas Business Lounge
SIN (T4) JQ no longer departs out of T1 and instead out of T4 now. This means you will have a fair bit of a walk from the Qantas business lounge in T1 to T2 (or the internal train) then hop on a transit bus to T4.
MEL (D) - Qantas T1 is at the polar opposite end to JQ in T4. For the average person it will take you a good solid 30 mins to reach the gate walking from Qantas Club (longer if T4 security is slow).


I do not believe JQ through checks luggage (unless under very special circumstances) so yes you will need to go pick up your luggage then recheck them in. On the way back you will need to also clear customs with your bags as an international arrival


I think it's up to 12 hours in advance?


Haven't done the journey. Last time i flew out of SIN on JQ, they were still in T1.
Transfer Between Terminals & Jewel | Singapore Changi Airport

Yes you would need to clear customs in T2, drop your bags off in T4 then go back to T1 if you want to use the lounge.


Won't be able to get past security with checked luggage. So yes in theory you will need to wait a while. May be able to drop it off a little bit earlier in practise.

Thank you very much for your input. I booked the CR flights today. Hence, I believe it is 30kg, however, recorded as ' - ' (dash) on Jetstar Booking Summary.

For BNE - MEL T4 - T2, it will be a rush to collect baggage, clear customs, check baggage in again. But I should have 1 hour before board in T2. Maybe grab a sandwich for the flight.

Going from Changi T4 - T1 is indeed challenging. But I really want to try the legendary laksa, so if I can drop my checked baggage early (e.g. 12 hours), I can try that.

As for Mel T1 lounge, I may just pay for locker space if T4 is not open. Do not want to wait with luggage for 8 hours without a shower after an overnight flight.

Really appreciate your responses. And if anyone else has anymore. Thanks.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

We don't call it "domestic customs".
Its dom sec screening/(domestic security screening).
Those guys and girls can be a pain in the bum.
Screaming fits or shouting instructions, its hard even if you have no security risk items, have to line up, put things onto trays, take things off trays, worst if your tray goes into "secondary", ie, gets moved because they want to have a closer look at your items, or you or your family get the residue wand test for explosives.
If travelling solo, I would go to the QP on the way back from SIN, but, with kids, and all their gear needed, its too much.
Also, there is a chance of items being left behind, esp if in a hurry or rush.
But thats my pov.
===
You might have to buy that sandwich, as the MEL QFi lounge is in the basement, takes a few mins to get to and from, there are lifts, and escalators, but its all time consuming.
You also rely on the fact that int sec screening might be fast, but it can be slow too, esp with arms have to be akimbo, and stand sideways for screening, then they might ask you for the residue test, and ask, "oh, where are you going" chit chat.
Have it done many times, have gone through MEL T2 int sec screening a lot of times.
Can be fast, can be slow.
Even smartgate can be slow.

 

[Zetta]

Hi Zetta
We flew SIN-MEL-SYD on a QFF rewards ticket two weeks ago, with the SIN-MEL leg with Jetstar (JQ8) and the MEL-SYD leg with Qantas. On Jetstar you get 30kg check in allowance and carry on is limited to 7kg. You can check in early at Changi for Jetstar and Qantas flights at the Jewel (close to terminal 1 ) see here - Departure early check-in. Its all self sevice (like Qantas check-ins) . Please note, I intially tried using the flight refrence number, but it told me to go to T4 as there was an issue. I then tried my passport (it gives you the option) and that worked and we could check in 10 hours before! So luggage was checked in and we got our boarding passes for JQ8 but not the MEL-SYD leg ( We sorted that out in MEL at the Qantas desk). There is also baggage storage next door , which was useful to store carry-on.

Your luggage will only be checked to MEL as you need to collect it and go through customs and than check -in again at the domestic terminal. We then left for the day and went to the city for lunch. When we came back we went to the Qantas lounge in T1 and had a shower and dinner (I am QFF gold) . The staff at at the lounge advised us to leave 90 min before the flight to get to T4 which we did. You can get an airside bus at T1 and from memory it leaves from Gate C21 every 24 min.

On Jetstar you get nothing - no seat selection, food or entertainment so BYO or eat in the lounge. On arrival at MEL ( on time actually), the airport was choas and it took us much longer than expected to get our luggage. This meant we missed our initial Qantas flight to Sydney. We than went to the help desk and after a bit of umming and ahhing, they re-booked us on the next flight. It appears groundstaff weren't sure how to handle a QFF rewards ticket with Jetstar and QF flights on it.

Hope that helps and enjoy the trip!

Thanks. This gives me hope

I know Jewel very well and the checked baggage terminals you are talking. Let's hope it goes through without issues.

Your MEL -SYD is with Qantas? Mine is still with Jetstar. Wonder if that makes a difference. Also, sounds like you missed your Qantas flight in T1, hence did a Jetstar in T4?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ah, I see, you are JQ563, that gives you a bit of time, thought you were on JQ565.

 

[Zetta]

You can check in earlier then 3 hrs before your flight - at the early check in area in the Jewel complex. This area is located on the same level as, and adjacent to the arrivals hall in T1 at SIN (very close to the taxi and grab pick up areas). The advantage of this is that from there it's a short walk into T1, up the escalators to departures level and then through immigration and off to the Qantas lounge. After imbibing in the QF lounge, make your way to C21, which is <5mins and then to bus departure lounge for the journey to T4 - all up probably allow 45 mins for the journey, including walk, up to 13 min wait, bus ride then a longer walk in T4 - JQ8 always seems to go from the furthest gate. When I did it a few months ago, I left the lounge at 19:55 for the 21:00 flight and reached the gate about 2-3 mins before they started pre-boarding those needing assistance.

Ok. Another tip I never knew. I always thought I needed to cross customs in the Terminal my flight is. I will cross T1 customs use the lounge and factoring in 1.5 hours (7.30pm) to travel from T1 to T4 as I got a family to lug.

 

[Zetta]

We don't call it "domestic customs".
Its dom sec screening/(domestic security screening).
Those guys and girls can be a pain in the bum.
Screaming fits or shouting instructions, its hard even if you have no security risk items, have to line up, put things onto trays, take things off trays, worst if your tray goes into "secondary", ie, gets moved because they want to have a closer look at your items, or you or your family get the residue wand test for explosives.
If travelling solo, I would go to the QP on the way back from SIN, but, with kids, and all their gear needed, its too much.
Also, there is a chance of items being left behind, esp if in a hurry or rush.
But thats my pov.
===
You might have to buy that sandwich, as the MEL QFi lounge is in the basement, takes a few mins to get to and from, there are lifts, and escalators, but its all time consuming.
You also rely on the fact that int sec screening might be fast, but it can be slow too, esp with arms have to be akimbo, and stand sideways for screening, then they might ask you for the residue test, and ask, "oh, where are you going" chit chat.
Have it done many times, have gone through MEL T2 int sec screening a lot of times.
Can be fast, can be slow.
Even smartgate can be slow.

For BNE - MEL - SIN, I got 2.5 hours. Let's see what happens. If I am short of time, I will just buy whatever Jetstar sells. Otherwise, I will do a quick lounge dash whilst in T2.

For SIN - MEL - BNE, I realised from the others I can check in early at Jewel and get straight to T1 lounge via the underpass between Jewel and T1. Leave 1.5 hours to travel to T4.

MEL - BNE, I will attempt to check my baggage in early, if not possible, I will use the storage service. 8 hours after an overnight flight without a lounge and shower is impossible for me these days.

 

[Zetta]

Ah, I see, you are JQ563, that gives you a bit of time, thought you were on JQ565.

Is JQ565 even possible to catch JQ7? 25 mins from T4 to T2 + baggage and customs.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I think that JQ565 gives a bit more than 25mins.
If HLO and travelling solo, can be done, very short, but still can be done, you probably will hear "will the last remaining passengers who have failed to board JQ7, please make yourself known to a staff member, as offloading procedures have commenced".
Ideally JQ565 gets in at 11:40, and you run to T2, you might make it with a few mins to spare, before "the final cabin door is now closed", granted you have kids and bags, so JQ563 is the better one of course, but for solo, and if its a linked PNR, JQ565 to JQ7 can be done.
But if separate PNR, then it will be iffy.

 

[Zetta]

I think that JQ565 gives a bit more than 25mins.
If HLO and travelling solo, can be done, very short, but still can be done, you probably will hear "will the last remaining passengers who have failed to board JQ7, please make yourself known to a staff member, as offloading procedures have commenced".
Ideally JQ565 gets in at 11:40, and you run to T2, you might make it with a few mins to spare, before "the final cabin door is now closed", granted you have kids and bags, so JQ563 is the better one of course, but for solo, and if its a linked PNR, JQ565 to JQ7 can be done.
But if separate PNR, then it will be iffy.

I have a linked PNR. But with the wait for baggage and recheck in of baggage process, T2 customs. 25 mins for 12.05pm is a big ask. My biggest fear is flight cancellation of JQ563 and trying to rush to JQ7 on JQ565.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

RE: cancellations, yep, I thought that there was something missing in google flights yesterday, Mon and Wed, there is a JQ563, but Tue there wasn't!
It was just the JQ565.
Hopefully it all works out for you Zetta.
Not sure what JQ will do for you, if JQ563 is cancelled on your day.

 

[Zetta]

RE: cancellations, yep, I thought that there was something missing in google flights yesterday, Mon and Wed, there is a JQ563, but Tue there wasn't!
It was just the JQ565.
Hopefully it all works out for you Zetta.
Not sure what JQ will do for you, if JQ563 is cancelled on your day.

There is a qantas at 7.15

Either I stamp my feet like a spoil brat or try to book it.