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.
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....