The Jetstar Business Class/Business Max price differential is just absurd

[Stephen65]

Just got an email from Jetstar advertising cheap business class fares to Japan, for example - Gold Coast to Osaka $949 each way on Business Max.

The email then notes that you can fly the same route for $549 in standard Business Class.

Why would you pay $800 extra (almost double the price) for a return trip just for QFF points, status credits and lounge access?

 

[djfuzz]

Just got an email from Jetstar advertising cheap business class fares to Japan, for example - Gold Coast to Osaka $949 each way on Business Max.

The email then notes that you can fly the same route for $549 in standard Business Class.

Why would you pay $800 extra (almost double the price) for a return trip just for QFF points, status credits and lounge access?

Does anyone have any historical data on previous Starclass sale prices on these routes? Would be interested to see a comparison.

No doubt, if you had lounge-access status and earning points/SCs were not an issue (say, if you had met your re/qualification targets), that saving would be pretty decent. On the other hand, if the saving is illusory then I imagine there will be some resistance to it.

 

[jpk]

Does anyone have any historical data on previous Starclass sale prices on these routes? Would be interested to see a comparison.

No doubt, if you had lounge-access status and earning points/SCs were not an issue (say, if you had met your re/qualification targets), that saving would be pretty decent. On the other hand, if the saving is illusory then I imagine there will be some resistance to it.

In the last sale just a month ago, the exact same routes were $499 for starclass.
The new pricing is absolute bollocks.

 

[p20]

Booked for CNS-NRT Starclass rtn for $1250 in January for travel in July, including the credit card fees. Jetstar website states still eligible for lounge access and QFF points/status.

New pricing does seem crazy especially as my Japanese friends say July/August is not generally a peak o/s tourist season in Japan as the summers are hot/humid (notwithstanding the events of March 11 effects on tourism).

 

[PLC]

Agreed - total garbage.

Got MEL - BKK return *class promo fare for just under $1k in April for June trip, which would have landed me 240 SC.

Unfortunately have to change dates, meaning I lose the SC unless unless I pay the difference to Business max.

Which means I would need to fork out nearly another $1k!!!!

Not happy.

 

[Timtammi]

Jetstar are kidding themselves with this pricing. I can't help but think its a try on to see how many mugs book the whole enchilada at their stupidly inflated prices. We should all vote with our wallets and NOT book any of their Business Max product and see if they start dropping the price.

I have been travelling *class quite a lot to Japan and have more trips booked to BKK and SIN coming up (all booked before the change thank goodness) and I almost always have been able to snag a good *class special (usually something like $500 or so each way) with all the SC's, points etc of course. Now the pricing to get something comparable seems to almost have doubled!

Vote with your wallet and Jetstar just MIGHT start taking notice.

Cheers

 

[shambles]

I have been looking at JQ MEL-SIN for a while and tonight when you log on to any part of the JQ site it seems the "Max" option shows as a blank $ value (last week showed as $200+). You tick the box and the fare just stays as per the std business fare ($699 one way for the date I was looking at 1st Aug). Does that mean it's no extra charge, a glitch in their system or just no more top price fares available for that date?

Me very confusion

 

[Awesom Andy]

I have been looking at JQ MEL-SIN for a while and tonight when you log on to any part of the JQ site it seems the "Max" option shows as a blank $ value (last week showed as $200+). You tick the box and the fare just stays as per the std business fare ($699 one way for the date I was looking at 1st Aug). Does that mean it's no extra charge, a glitch in their system or just no more top price fares available for that date?

Me very confusion

It looks like a glitch. I actually booked it just to see what happens, and the itinerary states "business" without any references to "Max". Of course, I chose the offline payment option, so the booking will be cancelled automatically if I don't pay withint 48 hours, which I have no intention to do so unless it was indeed the "Max" option discounted.

 

[docjames]

If it's giving you max for $0 I say book it!

 

[shambles]

If it's giving you max for $0 I say book it!

yeah.. all good in principle until you fly and get no point or SC earn and an as expected response along the lines of "Computer says No"

 

[Limewood]

I'm sure I read somewhere on this latest JQ offer to Japan no status points are applicable.

 

[Fireman]

I booked and paid for what I believed were 4 business max fares JQ sin-mel yesterday.

Recieved my itinerary showing only business fare so rang Jetstar and after much discussion they finally admitted problem with website (which still exists at this time)

At this time they are refusing to honour the business max fare...do I have a leg to stand on regarding this as I the only reason I booked was because I believed they were max fares.

 

[Mal]

Recieved my itinerary showing only business fare so rang Jetstar and after much discussion they finally admitted problem with website (which still exists at this time)

At this time they are refusing to honour the business max fare...do I have a leg to stand on regarding this as I the only reason I booked was because I believed they were max fares.

Welcome!

I knew of the same issue, but I was tipped off.. as a regular consumer (I assume you never read websites like these frequently ) then I assume you ticked the box for MAX and then accepted the terms.

Keep that in mind. You ticked the box. You requested MAX.

Continue with that theme, and see how you go.

 

[Fireman]

Welcome!

I knew of the same issue, but I was tipped off.. as a regular consumer (I assume you never read websites like these frequently ) then I assume you ticked the box for MAX and then accepted the terms.

Keep that in mind. You ticked the box. You requested MAX.

Continue with that theme, and see how you go.

Thanks Mal

Guilty as charged not a regular reader of the forum .
I am waiting for a callback from a CSR to sort this mess out. Will follow your advise

I feel at the very least I deserve a full refund as the fare was misrepresented on their website at the time of booking. Would prefer them to honour the fare as a max though.

Surely others have been caught out by this as the glitch is still there showing the business max fare ticked as default. I have taken a screenshot to back up my claim

Will see how things pan out...

 

[docjames]

yeah.. all good in principle until you fly and get no point or SC earn and an as expected response along the lines of "Computer says No"

Screen dump and print.

 

[Archphoto]

Screen dump and print.

My thought as well. :mrgreen:

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks Mal

Guilty as charged not a regular reader of the forum .
I am waiting for a callback from a CSR to sort this mess out. Will follow your advise

I feel at the very least I deserve a full refund as the fare was misrepresented on their website at the time of booking. Would prefer them to honour the fare as a max though.

Surely others have been caught out by this as the glitch is still there showing the business max fare ticked as default. I have taken a screenshot to back up my claim

Will see how things pan out...

Optimal outcome would be for them to honour the fare.

At the very least you are entitled (by law) to a refund. If JQ won't provide it then go through your credit card. If you did not pay by credit card, go through your state's consumer rights advisory line.

 

[shambles]

Screen dump and print.

In fact, I go one better... use Jing screen capture to video the entire booking and "tick this box" process.

I booked a JQ Business one way SIN-MEL for $249 SIN! No extra price shown for the max but the box was checked and ticket issued but as a regular business class.

It is frustrating arguing with trained robots in their international call centre - do they have any "local" customer service to argue with or is it best to hit them hard on twitter

 

[Pvcmenace]

I travelled Mel to Sin the start of April *class still no points or status credits. Called FF said wait six weeks from time of travel if not there, email boarding passes and itinerary, that was 6 days ago still nothing.

Good luck getting the points even on a Max fare!!

 

[Netty]

Jetstar are kidding themselves with this pricing. I can't help but think its a try on to see how many mugs book the whole enchilada at their stupidly inflated prices. We should all vote with our wallets and NOT book any of their Business Max product and see if they start dropping the price.

I have been travelling *class quite a lot to Japan and have more trips booked to BKK and SIN coming up (all booked before the change thank goodness) and I almost always have been able to snag a good *class special (usually something like $500 or so each way) with all the SC's, points etc of course. Now the pricing to get something comparable seems to almost have doubled!

Vote with your wallet and Jetstar just MIGHT start taking notice.

Cheers

I agree. I have been travelling to Japan every year Starclass. Always taking at least one family member with me. I booked the last trip before the change from Starclass to Business and travelled early June. I had to really fight to get the SC & Points after the trip. I won't be bothering with Jetstar any more even though I get $ 2,000 worth of free flights every year using JS MC when I can't use Amex. The price of Business Max is ridiculous. Jetstar 'Business Class' is not THAT good.