PRICING SCAM

Logged onto Webjet yesterday to see if my suspicions were correct, and that Jetstar is a cash making cow, all be it, just my opinion on their advertising standards and compliance.

FIRST
I picked 2 random dates for the purpose of comparing 'Booking in Advance' and possibly getting a better deal Vs 'Booking something last minute' and having a higher cost.

For Booking in Advance, I chose a January 2013 date, one flight from Jetstar and another from Virgin. Both on the same day, from Melbourne to Sydney (fairly normal route) with similar take off times, about 2 hrs apart and similar base cost on the flight selection screen with a difference of $39. Both flights selected included baggage, Virgin's more (go figure) so to get Jetstar Baggage allowance up to scratch I added another 10Kg's.

For Booking last minute, I chose next Fridays date, October 12th. Same destination, similar times again etc. This time flight costs were a lot higher for both carriers, yet the difference was now only $31. Again I had to add 10 additional Kg's of Baggage to JS flight as the Virgin allowance was more inline with what someone would actually be carrying in a Trolleycase any bigger than a carryon.

In Both circumstances the Total Invoice difference to fly Virgin was only around $19 more, despite the original differences. We'll get to that.

Now on Virgin, I get what seem friendlier and better trained staff (my opinion) from Check in at Airport to Departing the Aircraft. I get FREE inflight entertainment and do not have to pay rent on an iPad. The Aircraft themselves are maintained and cleaner than any Jetstar plane I've been on, I don't have the worry of having my carry on weighed like a new prisoner checking in their clothes to the bailiff at Longbay, the food is better and I could go on. Did anyone say, leave and arrive on time too?

As is seems from above, I also don't have to worry that I am paying exorbitant 'somewhat hidden and abnormally large' Booking Fees for a service that is actually lower than its competitors, because at the end of the day, taxes, fares included, it isn't that much more to fly elsewhere.

I liken Jetstar to a bad taxi on a Friday night. I want to get in for $59, but before I do, I need to add Luggage in the boot for $10, I need the radio on for $20, I wouldn't mind grabbing a Felafel $18, and the Tariff is $30 bucks before we even drive off.

I'd rather get in the clean back seat of a Limo, for $19 more, know what I'm paying for up front, no hidden extras, get fed perhaps, watch some tellie for nothing, grab a smile from the driver and wait, get there on time.

Cheap Airlines, might look and feel cheap, but literally they're not really.

Domestic
Australia-Melbourne - Avalon
Australia-Melbourne - Avalon

Comments

To booking via pjone you need

To booking via pjone you need to pay $30 more but they didnt tell you from the first after you checked the bank,i just realize yhey took more than i expect and I complaint to them they cant do anything. This is scam. Seriously to serve rhe customer they charge you $30 more....