Why fly International QF Y if there is JQ Y?

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mileagemax

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Just recently did my second trip with Jetstar from MEL to BKK in Economy. The savings in dollars and time (since it is direct) compared to Qantas far outweighs any extras Qantas offers. Seating is the same pitch and I prefer the leather on Jetstar. Food is about the same. Renting the Video Player means entertainment is similar to Qantas. Service seems better with a fresher, more enthusiastic crew. I wrote a full review on www.flyeradvisor.com - Home .

So why fly QF? Sure you get Frequent Flyer points but with the money I save, I could use that to buy a flight anyway.

I suppose StarClass and Qantas Business are vastly different, but in Economy it is pretty much the same.
 
Main reason for me in avoiding JQ is miles and status benefits. Yes it is possible to earn QFF miles/SCs on JQ but Jetflex fares are often not that different from QF Y, plus Star Class can be more expensive than the equivalent cabin on BA.

As AA is now my main FFP I couldn't even earn miles if I flew Jetflex or Star Class.

For an upcoming trip to BKK, my fare on BA's World Traveler's Plus cabin with the QF domestic flights to SYD thrown in worked out to be at least 200 dollars cheaper than non-promo Star Class on JQ. Plus I get a whole heap of AA Q points and miles. :D
 
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When faced with the choice of MEL-SYD-BKK in QF Y for not much different in price to MEL-BKK in JQ *class, I've chosen JQ *class a half dozen times in the same no of months.
 
*class is quite a step up from economy though so it's not oocmparing like with like - I agree that makes JQ even more favourable. I had to go to BKK last October and flew WT+ about $1700pp which was quite a lot more than whY but certainly worth it.

I think the OP is probably quite right that if it's cheaper then there isnt that much different by all reports.

Luckily I dont have to make that decision.

Out of interest mileagemax how does the difference in outbound location impact you? Is the JQ flight out of tullamarine or avalon?
 
mileagemax said:
So why fly QF? Sure you get Frequent Flyer points but with the money I save, I could use that to buy a flight anyway.
The other factor for me is the risk of schedule interruption. JQ still only has 4 x A330-200 aircraft (growing soon to 6), so no spare capacity anywhere in their fleet for when an aircraft become unavailable due to a mechanical problem. This was seen last week with significant delays (up to 2 days for some passengers) on the HNL flights. So it becomes a matter of placing a value on that risk, which will be different for different people and for different circumstances (i.e. a holiday vs a business trip).

Some other minor differences for QF FF status members where on QF they get business/first class check-in, priority baggage and increased baggage allowances. So again each person will place their own value on those benefits when deciding if the higher QF fare is worth the money for their specific circumstances.

I fully accept your comments regarding seating, entertainment, meals, crew etc.
 
Agree with several of those points mileagemax. For me though, I try to purchase all my personal travel on QFF points...so when I have to fly JQ rather than QF, and it "costs" me exactly the same (in points and taxes), I'm not terribly happy!

Cheers,
- Febs.
 
Febs - if you are getting award flights using QFF points on JQ - dont you get the extra amenities included in your ticket so you are basically getting the same product for the same price?
 
I never consider flying JQ because my flight decisions are not based on price. I would certainly never fly JQ if there was a flight connection involved, because they do not seem to make connecting at all easy. Also I agree with NM. I would not trust JQ to be helpful if there was any kind of problem with the flight, either of their making (eg aircraft issues causing a delay or flight cancellation) or of my making (eg being held up in traffic and arriving late at the airport). QF beats JQ on all of these service issues.
 
If flying in Y and traveling MEL-BKK JQ is an obvious choice. No SYD hassle and time waste is a huge benefit and service as you so is no significant difference, plus JQ aircraft are cleaner and newer. QF has neglected MEL passengers for so long. Thai flies 12 direct services a week MEL-BKK, that's 3500 seats to QF...ZERO. nuff said.
 
simongr said:
Febs - if you are getting award flights using QFF points on JQ - dont you get the extra amenities included in your ticket so you are basically getting the same product for the same price?

My understanding is food and beverages - yes, entertainment - no.

It's not so much what you get on the surface, it's the whole experience. Others have covered several of the points already. JQ is a cheaper product, which is fine when you're paying a cheaper price...but if you're "paying" the same as a QF flight, personally I feel a little short-changed.

...but hey, I haven't flown JQ internationally yet, so maybe I'll change my view in Oct. :)

Cheers,
- Febs.
 
My thoughts are very similar to NM's.

Jetstar is the future for Qantas, but I want to see them have more ability to service their markets before I fly them in Y over Qantas Y intentionally. (Note sometimes you are forced to fly Jetstar, and think I will be trying out StarClass at some stage !).
 
simongr said:
had to go to BKK last October and flew WT+ about $1700pp which was quite a lot more than whY but certainly worth it.
Indeed, WT+ MEL-SYD-BKK return this July priced out to that level on ba.com. The JQ *class fare worked out to be $1900++ MEL-BKK return. Granted, the *class fare is much more flexible since the WT+ fare booked into the non-ref T class but I'm fixed in my plans and it was hence a no brainer to go WT+ given that I'm crediting to AA. I don't mind going via SYD - slightly more Qpts/miles. :D
 
QF009 said:
Indeed, WT+ MEL-SYD-BKK return this July priced out to that level on ba.com. The JQ *class fare worked out to be $1900++ MEL-BKK return. Granted, the *class fare is much more flexible since the WT+ fare booked into the non-ref T class but I'm fixed in my plans and it was hence a no brainer to go WT+ given that I'm crediting to AA. I don't mind going via SYD - slightly more Qpts/miles. :D
At least with BA WT+ there is always a chance for an op-up (any many reports of high status OneWorld flyers getting these), while *Class on JQ has no opportunity for an op-up.
 
All things equal, with the new 777's serving the route (I think they still are although you never know with TG), I think I'd take TG's Y over JQ's Y. Probably the key that TG offers better frequencies (12 per week vs 3 per week), and certainly competitive with JQ on price. (many TG fares also earn star alliance miles). Then no 2 is SQ via SIN, but that's just because there seems to something comforting about transitting Changi don't know why!)
 
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mileagemax said:
So why fly QF?
A few of my reasons
  • Reliability
  • Frequency
  • Customer Service
  • Interlining of luggage
  • Unlimited supply of beverages
  • FF points and status
mileagemax said:
Sure you get Frequent Flyer points but with the money I save, I could use that to buy a flight anyway.
On JQi? I could get cheaper flights, with better service, on Thai.
 
Anna said:
I would not trust JQ to be helpful if there was any kind of problem with the flight, either of their making (eg aircraft issues causing a delay or flight cancellation) or of my making (eg being held up in traffic and arriving late at the airport).

I arrived at the airport late once because of accidents blocking the road, causing a massive traffic jam. I wasn't expecting JQ to allow me to change the ticket considering I was on a very cheap fare (and not JetFlex), but they surprisingly did without even being asked! They just apologised that they had to close the flight despite there being a number of late passengers and then asked me when I would like the travel date changed to.

To be honest, I was quite shocked, but very pleased at the same time.
 
I think that most of these replies are missing the point of the original question which relates to travel MEL-BKK. The reason to fly JQ is to save three hours of extra travel and stuffing around in SYD, each way of course. Makes up for a few free beers on the plane.

If flying SYD-BKK, I wouldn't really consider JQ unless it was way way cheaper than QF but I don't think JQ fly this route so that is a moot point.
 
This was the original question - no reference to the MEL-SYD-BKK shuffle as a consideration in the purchase.

mileagemax said:
So why fly QF? Sure you get Frequent Flyer points but with the money I save, I could use that to buy a flight anyway.

I think the question back to the OP should be why JQ if there is a comparably cheap fare on another airline. Thai Airways have a direct return ticket in Spetember (random dates picked for a two week return trip) for $860. JQ have a jetflex fare for the same period of $1092 or a jetsaver of $576.

If I was inclined to go to BKK again (incredibly unlikely after my last trip) and I was based in MEL I would potentially consider the Starclass option myself. But that is very off topic.
 
maninblack said:
I think that most of these replies are missing the point of the original question which relates to travel MEL-BKK. The reason to fly JQ is to save three hours of extra travel and stuffing around in SYD, each way of course.

Or consider flying TG MEL-BKK which has 9 more services a week than JQ.

simongr said:
IThai Airways have a direct return ticket in Spetember (random dates picked for a two week return trip) for $860. JQ have a jetflex fare for the same period of $1092 or a jetsaver of $576.

You've fallen for the JQ trap of headline fares! A quick look on zuji showed that your TG fare is actually $656 + $226 in taxes (-$22 discount). JQ jetsaver is $576 excluding taxes, which are $290, and add in a further $94 if you want to fed and watered and have a pillow/entertainment.

Bottomline: TG $860, JQ (like for like): $956 JQ (no frills): $862. TG fare also earns miles at a rate of 50%. I know which I'd choose.
 
dajop said:
You've fallen for the JQ trap of headline fares! A quick look on zuji showed that your TG fare is actually $656 + $226 in taxes (-$22 discount). JQ jetsaver is $576 excluding taxes, which are $290, and add in a further $94 if you want to fed and watered and have a pillow/entertainment.

Colour me corrected - its been one of those morning (bloody EF seats that dont exist in the upper deck). Thankfully i dont have to go back to Thailand again (unless in the extreme circumstance that I need to transit through BKK - which will be under duress) so i wont have to worry about these fares :D
 
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