When you buy a Jetstar ticket, the base fare only includes a seat, up to 7kg of carry-on luggage and water during the flight. Extras such as checked baggage, food, seat selection and frequent flyer points are not automatically included. Instead, Jetstar offers several different types of bundles to suit different types of travellers.
Even if you purchase a Jetstar Business Class ticket, you’ll need to purchase an extra bundle to receive lounge access and frequent flyer points.
Jetstar’s default fares are the Economy Starter and Business Starter fares, which are non-refundable. If you’re buying an Economy ticket, you can choose to add a Flex, Plus or Max Bundle for an additional fee which varies by route. Meanwhile, Business Starter fares can be upgraded to Business Max on long-haul flights for around an extra $200.
Jetstar Economy Plus Bundle
If you’re planning to check in a bag, or would like to earn some Qantas points and status credits, it makes sense to purchase a Plus bundle. On the Melbourne-Gold Coast route this costs an extra $45, which is only $20 more than the cost of checking in a 20kg suitcase. The Economy Plus Bundle includes a 20kg checked bag, as well as:
- Qantas points and status credits (at Discount Economy rates)
- Standard seat selection
- In-flight meal voucher
- Waived change fees (fare difference still applies)
Jetstar Economy Max Bundle
When collecting Qantas points and status credits, it often makes sense to purchase a Max bundle instead of a Plus bundle. It’s not that much more expensive, and you’ll earn Qantas points and status credits at the Flexible Economy rate. On a Melbourne-Gold Coast flight, that means you’ll earn 30 status credits (instead of 15 with a Plus bundle) for an extra $40.
You’ll also receive 10kg more checked luggage, free up-front seating and a flexible ticket.
Jetstar Economy Flex Bundle
Aimed at business travellers, the Economy Flex bundle strangely doesn’t include any Qantas points or status credits. Instead you’ll get an extra 3kg of carry-on baggage, up-front seating and the flexibility to change to another flight on the same day. The Flex bundle is exactly the same price as the Plus bundle, but clearly targeted at a different demographic of traveller.
Jetstar Business Max Bundle
If you’re flying Jetstar on a Boeing 787 flight in Business Class, you’ll have the option to upgrade to a Max Bundle for an extra $200. If you’re chasing Qantas status credits, this is a no-brainer as you’ll earn Qantas Frequent Flyer status credits at the Business rate. On a one-way flight from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Bali, for example, this would earn you 8,450 Qantas points and 125 status credits.
If you’re a Qantas Club member or have Qantas Gold, Platinum or Platinum One status, you can use Qantas lounges when flying with Jetstar. But if you don’t otherwise qualify for lounge access – or there is no Qantas-operated lounge at the airport you’re departing – you’ll need a Business Max fare to gain entry. (Lounge access is not included on Business Starter fares.) The Max bundle also gives you the ability to cancel your flight for a refund in the form of a Jetstar credit voucher.
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil, New Zealand & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.
You can contact Matt at editor@australianfrequentflyer.com.au
