Qantas Frequent Flyer - Jetstar "Business Class"

Why does Qantas categorise Jetstar Star Class as "Business" in redemptions
when manifestly it equates only to the QF Premium Economy product? Along with the "charge for business, get economy" fiddle discussed on another thread, this only serves to support the view that QF is short changing its Frequent Flyers - not a wise way to treat one's premium customers, I'd suggest!

Jetstar markets the cabin as business class and points are awarded as per business class, so to charge as business class is consistent

Whether you think that Jetstar's business class is worth the points is down to you when it comes to redeeming

Jetstar Business Class is Business Class for marketing purposes only. If you do use frequent flyer points for a Jetstar Business Class redemption, you do not deserve to have a frequent flyer account in your name, especially as you can get a redemption on CX/BA and soon MH services for the same amount of points in a proper J class.

Dave: I'm aware of the marketing, and that's exactly my point. QF ultimately controls both products & knows darned well that Jetstar Star Class isn't anything like the QF standard, but still charges the same points. Agree with the last poster's comment that you'd have to be crazy to use J redemption rates for this product.

What is the Qantas J standard???
Try flying to HNL and you wont get much different from JQ...

What is the Qantas J standard???
Try flying to HNL and you wont get much different from JQ...For sleeping, the Dreamtime seat cr@ps on the Leather covered JQi millennium seat.

Why does QF charge First Class redemption costs for AA Domestic First Class or even 747 First for the same as A380 First? It is up to the QFFer to determine whether it is worth the cost. The information is available to make that decision so why is QF to blame?

Dave: I'm aware of the marketing, and that's exactly my point. QF ultimately controls both products & knows darned well that Jetstar Star Class isn't anything like the QF standard, but still charges the same points. Agree with the last poster's comment that you'd have to be crazy to use J redemption rates for this product.

The product is very similar to Qantas's domestic business class which is also charged at business class for redemptions. What major differences are there that makes QF domestic business class that much better than JQ's business class?

Business class on BA's European services has seats that are the same as economy, just stretched out using the converter with a cabin that can be stretched or shrunk just by moving a curtain, yet these are sold by BA as business class and require a business class redemption for award travel and these are , I would say, worse than Jetstar's business class

AA's 1st domestic 1st class isn't any better on most routes than Jetstar's business class (imo) yet that is classed as 1st class for redemptions using the QF programme

If you do not think that the business class is worth using, then you do not have to use it.

Jetstar Business Class is Business Class for marketing purposes only. If you do use frequent flyer points for a Jetstar Business Class redemption, you do not deserve to have a frequent flyer account in your name, especially as you can get a redemption on CX/BA and soon MH services for the same amount of points in a proper J class.

Depends on where you want to fly between. Flying from AKL-SIN, for example, the only non-stop service would be on Jetstar.

Flying BA between Cyprus and London, as another points spending option, would be 4.5 hours in a seat that is the same as an economy seat , just made a bit wider

I am always thankful that JQ business is unlike BA's Euro Business. No difference in seating whatsoever compare with economy.

I am always thankful that JQ business is unlike BA's Euro Business. No difference in seating whatsoever compare with economy.That's not quite correct.

BA Club Europe has 34" pitch (as against 30-31") and the seat you sit in has 2" more lateral width when converted.

That's not quite correct.

BA Club Europe has 34" pitch (as against 30-31") and the seat you sit in has 2" more lateral width when converted.

Unless CE is set to the maximum size (which is rare ime), then just selecting seats in the front half of the cabin will provide a 34" pitch in economy ; the only difference will be the seat width and the "meal". CE is one of the worst value flight purchases going imo

Unless CE is set to the maximum size (which is rare ime), then just selecting seats in the front half of the cabin will provide a 34" pitch in economy ; the only difference will be the seat width and the "meal". CE is one of the worst value flight purchases going imo

I agree. I think that intra-Europe J is a total joke.

As for the JQ "Business class" my husband has a good description for it - "poor premium economy product". I think that about sums it up.

I agree. I think that intra-Europe J is a total joke.

No different from most other European carriers, and in many people's opinions it's better than some Europan carriers' business class product due to wider seats. I don't mind it at all for a short hop. Remember CE is almost a 'domestic' product (you can't really fly much further than 4.5 hours in CE) and often a very cheap one at that compared to SYD-MEL in business class for instance (you can almost buy two returns for some CE routes for the price of one-way SYD-MEL in QF business class, although ticket flexibility won't be there like QF J).

No different from most other European carriers, and in many people's opinions it's better than some Europan carriers' business class product due to wider seats.

How to damn it with faint praise; being better than some other airlines' European business class does not make it a decent product


Remember CE is almost a 'domestic' product (you can't really fly much further than 4.5 hours in CE) and often a very cheap one at that compared to SYD-MEL in business class for instance (you can almost buy two returns for some CE routes for the price of one-way SYD-MEL in QF business class, although ticket flexibility won't be there like QF J).

I would class BA's Club Europe as closer to Virgin's premium economy product as it was domestically and a better comparison against that. It compares very poorly against QF domestic business class ; may be better than QF economy but far short of business class

I would class BA CE as a much worse redemption value than JQ business class but the rates are the same

I would class BA's Club Europe as closer to Virgin's premium economy product as it was domestically and a better comparison against that. It compares very poorly against QF domestic business class ; may be better than QF economy but far short of business class

I would view it as more of a classification anomaly than anything else and would not book CE on QF points anyway, especially when BA Avios redemptions on ET/CE is far, far better value than using QF points on those things.

Just compare the lowest available fares long way in advance for equivalent length of flight on CE and QF domestic business class and work out the value ratio and you will probably come to accept the difference between the products.

Different markets, different products. That's the end of it, as I see it.

Different markets, different products. That's the end of it, as I see it.

Not in relation to the thread which was about jetstar's business class costing 2x ; the comparison then against other products such as BA CE and AA 2 class F shows that , regardless of what the value in cost is to purchase that all of QF J , BA CE , JQ J are are all business class products and that they are charged double that of economy and AA even worse with their equivalent product being 3x

How they are priced in their own cash markets are irrelevent to this

I still believe that paying extra for CE is cuckoo but QF still charges 2x for awards and far worse value than redeeming for JQ business

I still believe that paying extra for CE is cuckoo but QF still charges 2x for awards and far worse value than redeeming for JQ business

I would actually say that redeeming for JQ "business" on the route where there is a possibility of routing on QF or another OW carrier is much worse though. On many CE routes there aren't any alternatives on OW unless you go for something convoluted (and thus cost more). Fair enough if JQ is the only straight-forward way of going from A to B - at least it's better than JQ economy class in any case.

But you do not even get a free middle seat on JQ "business" (I know it's not designed that way) and frankly, services tend to be much worse than anything I have ever had on BA CE bar one. I found the leg room on 'JQ "Business" to be something I thought was a bit of a bad joke. It felt (not sure if it really was) worse than QF domestic J. Overall, it is not an international business class product even though it is marketed that way.

Empty middle seat is my main reason for flying CE because I strongly dislike being in excessively close proximity (i.e. "shoulders touching" distance) with a stranger.

I suppose each person places different values on things.

As for the JQ "Business class" my husband has a good description for it - "poor premium economy product". I think that about sums it up.


Sounds to me as though your husband's not flown it then. It's more akin to domestic business class than full international business class.

I have compared JQ business with other airlines and it never computes!!
A few hundred dollars more and you get fully flat seat 6 abreast instead of 7 , 58 inch pitch instead if 34 inch

Full food service choice of meals beverages and IFE

At then if irroops occur JQ have a poor track record of timely assistance.

I tell travel agents if JQ is my only choice then I do not need to travel

In most cases I have not found other airlines to be just a few hundred dollars more but significantly more; JQ can make a good value offering. recent trip to Singapore one way for $632 was over $2000 cheaper than the other options

The seat pitch is not 34" but 38"

The product is indeed not as good as other business classes but can offer a very good value and since I almost never take night flights , that it doesn't provide a bed is not such an issue

I tend to go to where I want/need to go rather than being based on where a specific airline flies to

That's not quite correct.

BA Club Europe has 34" pitch (as against 30-31") and the seat you sit in has 2" more lateral width when converted.Unless CE is set to the maximum size (which is rare ime), then just selecting seats in the front half of the cabin will provide a 34" pitch in economy ; the only difference will be the seat width and the "meal". CE is one of the worst value flight purchases going imoMeh - let's stick to the LCD.

The best an economy PAX may end up with is 34" pitch and 19" width (2 seats), a few more at 34" and 17" and the rest (and more do than not) ending is 30-31" pitch and 17" width.

IME (and it seems to generally be the case these days) the conversion is done and Club Europe PAX are at least guaranteed that 34" pitch and 19" width.

Still, not, IMHO, as a good a product as JQi 'business' ... to get on topic.

Dave: Couldn't agree more - JetStar long-haul Star Class can be excellent value in cash terms when sold at 30% or so of the price of other carriers' Business Class. But to charge the same fare as those other Business Class products when bought as a Points redemption under a QF flight number is a rip-off. To put it another way, the cash fare delivers a product which has a great chance of meeting or exceeding value expectations. The points fare is likely to leave the customer feeling distinctly short-changed, which can't be good for a QF "loyalty" programme, hence my original query as to whether a Premium Economy points fare might be more appropriate.

Well I have priced travel and the difference between JQ Star Class and a full Business Class product was several hundred $$. Maybe we fly to different destinations but The figures I quoted were accurate.

I am not in the habit if telling lies!!!

I recently did the same comparison on Virgin Australia (DJ) they wanted $2900 odd , the full business class fare on a competitor was $2600 but I found a special fare that gave me the flights plus a side trip to Singapore for $1890.

Meanwhile these airlines are selling Fares that consumers buy but they are not the best deals around

Sounds to me as though your husband's not flown it then. It's more akin to domestic business class than full international business class.

He has indeed flown it and his opinion of Jetstar "business" class is shared by quite a few others who have flown it, in fact.

It was a very poor product. I have flown it myself and would consider it comparatively worse than QF domestic business class (I have flown that too).

Its saving grace is that in cash, JQ "business" class (I really wish they just called it "Star Class" which was fair because it did not imply the business class standard) is much cheaper than QF business class and therefore on a shorter sector it's pretty tolerable.


Well I have priced travel and the difference between JQ Star Class and a full Business Class product was several hundred $$. Maybe we fly to different destinations but The figures I quoted were accurate.

I am not in the habit if telling lies!!!



I do believe you - sometimes the fare differences are quite small, due to other airlines doing a special deal etc. It's certainly not worth flying JQ "business" unless the fare differences are substantial, which they often are (even 50% less than other carriers). You could say that they can be pretty good for QF status runners, in fact, though!

The issue I find with JQ is not what you get. Different airlines have different standards, and let the buyer beware, and so be it...

But that they charge $400-500 more for an international ticket that earns FF points than the one that does not (for business class). Is to me absurd! I understand making it part of the $20-70 upsell for a Y ticket, but to double the price for a business ticket that then brings the ticket in line with regular QF/BA/CX etc. I struggle to think of any other airline that on a paid ticket will award FF miles in Y but not in C?

Otherwise, they would offer good value and I would fly them for a day flight.

I recently mulled through a similar choice - in my case either to use points to fly QF econ return AKL-SIN (via MEL?SYD), or combine points J award AKL-SIN and buy a JQi ticket for the return SIN-AKL in Y or J ($NZ400 or $NZ800 respectively).

I elected for the JQi business fare. I elected not to pay the additional $200 or so for the Business Max add-on as I didn't rate the points to worth that much to upgrade the fare*. The overall 'cost' to me of this trip was 72,000 points and about $NZ 1,000 (JQi fare plus award ticket taxes) for QF biz out bound and JQi Biz return. I was satisfied overall with the 'value' I received. It would probably have been better with the sectors reversed as return at night would have benefited from a better seat on QF.

Other than the 32kg luggage, the experience in JQi 'business class was underwhelming. I was in 01A, with no one in 01B - which was nice. The flight is an overnight flight and the seat is not well suited for sleeping - managed some snoozing. Food was OK. But I have had flights that have been more comfortable in Y - TG's Y 34" in the 346, and even flying BA Y sitting in (29A) was quite OK.

The other big downer was JQ reducing frequency SIN-AKL mid-trip, requiring an additional day away. Not a problem, but the JQi ticket was actually BKK-(SIN)-AKL, and when they re-booked the BKK-SIN sector was at a different time and, worse, the 'Starter Plus' and 32kg baggage allowance was missing. This took around 2 hours to sort out on skype from the hotel in Bangkok. In the end everything worked smoothly on the day when checking in at BKK (ie bags checked through to AKL, 32kg allowance).

Overall, JQi biz can be an option worth considering. However, Mrs TK is not at all keen after seeing the issues and time sorting hassles out - she'd prefer top pay more for a 'full service' carrier and be done with it!

Cheers, TK

*PS - I received full biz SC and points for the journey on JQi, which rounded things nicely. I think perhaps I'd booked before a change in the rules...but who knows ;)

I am always open to suggestions which is why I check other airlines and offers.

My upcoming trip if I had taken VA I would have retained Silver Status which would have been nice but not at $1000 more and a poor product.

If the price was lower it was a possibility

JQ has a place in the scheme of things and FT members are making it work for them so horses for courses

No different from most other European carriers

Yes, l meant most, (if not all), European short haul is a joke. Virgin Blue 'Premium Economy' is what you get while paying for Intra-Europe J (QF's old 737's).

Wife and self done SYD/HNL/SYD on JQ in J twice past 3 years, found bulkhead seats best, food on way over average always better on return, service very good both ways. Not much sleep in non lay flat seats but taking into account the massive fare difference between this and Q we took it with full status points for just over $2K each, was good value.

Jetstar Business Class is Business Class for marketing purposes only. If you do use frequent flyer points for a Jetstar Business Class redemption, you do not deserve to have a frequent flyer account in your name, especially as you can get a redemption on CX/BA and soon MH services for the same amount of points in a proper J class.
I agree! I'd never burn my points on a JQ "business class" flight. I'm saving my QFF points to burn on MH business and first product because it'll be much better value!

Me too - would never use points to fly JQ star class, if the cash fare (with the stupid Max bundle) is priced between competitors full service Y and full service J products then may be worth it, but as the fares (+ bundles) are sometimes closer to full service proper business class competitors then you would need your head read to fly JQ star class.

Me too - would never use points to fly JQ star class, if the cash fare (with the stupid Max bundle) is priced between competitors full service Y and full service J products then may be worth it, but as the fares (+ bundles) are sometimes closer to full service proper business class competitors then you would need your head read to fly JQ star class.

Do you need a refundable ticket? If not then the comparison is more valid between the normal business fare and competitors rather than needing the max.

When it comes to one way fares , my experience is that JQ starclass is generally much cheaper; on long haul I wouldn't tend to want a r/t since would not take a night flight so would only tend to use JQ in one direction and then use a one way on another carrier back.

Well I have priced travel and the difference between JQ Star Class and a full Business Class product was several hundred $$. Maybe we fly to different destinations but The figures I quoted were accurate.

I am not in the habit if telling lies!!!

I recently did the same comparison on Virgin Australia (DJ) they wanted $2900 odd , the full business class fare on a competitor was $2600 but I found a special fare that gave me the flights plus a side trip to Singapore for $1890.

Meanwhile these airlines are selling Fares that consumers buy but they are not the best deals around

I can confirm that small price differential... it happens at peak times. My friends were looking to fly MEL-DPS for the school holidays. Price on JQ for three seats, including meals and baggage was $4100.

Garuda business class was $4800 for three seats. (Although GA economy was coming in at $2604 for three seats).

When we flew to HKT one way on JQ was $2500 for 2 pax in Starclass (prior to the new fares) and VA was precisely the same on the return. Clearly VA has a full J class product, and flat beds so it pays to compare.

As mentioned above, if you are paying cash rather than using points:

JQi SYD-NRT BusinessMax oneway = $1,258 earning 140 sc's and a day flight.
QF J SYD-NRT oneway, website is showing $6,821 earning 140 sc's.

Based on costs, we chose the inconvienience of JQ (via OOL) for the 140 sc.
But we do have a QF JASA return sector.

Wife and self done SYD/HNL/SYD on JQ in J twice past 3 years, found bulkhead seats bestCan't find a Jetstar Seating thread - just looking for suggestions for Starclass in the A332 to Japan. Will aim for the bulkhead then.

Can't find a Jetstar Seating thread - just looking for suggestions for Starclass in the A332 to Japan. Will aim for the bulkhead then.

whichever version they have I would stick with the bulkhead... at least you can put your cabin bag in front of you for a horizontal footrest - an no one to recline on to you.

I flew SIN-AKL in JQ biz last Nov, sat in 01A. Plenty of leg room (I'm 1.72m), and 01B was empty.

Been some comment over sitting left or right side depending on where the sun might be and if you plan to sleep or not. I was very happy in 01A. Most of teh other seats looked 'cramped when the seat ahead was reclined, and despite the 38" seat pitch. No pics uploaded as yet.

OK, so I uploaded some pics:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040259.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040260.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040272.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040262.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040264.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040279.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040281.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040282.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040291.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040301.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040308.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/hobbit1960/JQ%20Business%20Class%20SIN-AKL%20Nov%202011/P1040312.jpg

Can't find a Jetstar Seating thread - just looking for suggestions for Starclass in the A332 to Japan. Will aim for the bulkhead then.

I think it depends on whether you get the new business seats with the built in TV or the old ones. If you get the one ones then 2D is great cause there aren't any seats in front of you. No real good seats with the new seats. Perhaps the bulkheads are good in that instance.

OK, so I uploaded some picsMany thanks, front row looks quite passable

Thanks for the photos Thai-Kiwi.

The meal certainly looks better than what l received on my HKT-SYD flight a few years ago. Dinner was some sort of attempted stir-fry and breakfast was a roll wrapped in foil, tea or coffee, that's it.

I flew SIN-AKL in JQ biz last Nov, sat in 01A. Plenty of leg room (I'm 1.72m), and 01B was empty.

Been some comment over sitting left or right side depending on where the sun might be and if you plan to sleep or not. I was very happy in 01A. Most of teh other seats looked 'cramped when the seat ahead was reclined, and despite the 38" seat pitch. No pics uploaded as yet.

OK, so I uploaded some pics:



wow! So they really have done some soft product upgrades since i last flew! Real glasses and crockery for meals and linen table cloths! Looks quite good really - more in line with domestic QF offering (of sorts :))

Cheers guys, I have to say that the overall experience was better than I had expected. The Singaporean family of 6 with overworked maid and crying baby weren't perfect, but a fact of life - in any cabin. That is why I have earplugs......for any cabin!

Have done JQ SYD/HNL/SYD in J twice in past three years (last was Nov. 2011), had bulkhead seats mostly, only way to go, food on return was better than on way over, go figure, we snagged 2 x J with full QFF points for $2150 each.

Can't find a Jetstar Seating thread - just looking for suggestions for Starclass in the A332 to Japan. Will aim for the bulkhead then.

Just check out seatguru.com

Many thanks, front row looks quite passable

Keep in mind that 1a/b and 1j/k are bassinet seats. I booked 1a/b a couple of years ago and was asked to give them up for people with a baby when I checked in at HKT. I declined - I had selected that flight precisely because those seats were available - they let me keep the seats no problem, but there's no garantee that they won't move you. Seats were good and I enjoyed having nobody reclining in front of me and having room to stretch my legs out.

I enjoy Starclass, keeping in mind that it's a premium cabin on a LCC. I'm still a bit mystified by the habituée of the BA board who chimed in earlier in the thread that it's a poor version of Premium Economy. It is of course much better than that, more like QF domestic business. I guess I'll put her comment down to the need that the occasional BAEC regulars have to come here and put we colonial types back in our place. ;)

I'm still a bit mystified by the habituée of the BA board who chimed in earlier in the thread that it's a poor version of Premium Economy.

ha!! it's more like a version of premium-premium-plus compared to BA's offering!

ha!! it's more like a version of premium-premium-plus compared to BA's offering!

Steady on, keep talking like that and they'll all start nicking loaves of bread again so they can get a free ticket to a better life down under...

I think you'll find the author of post #14 herein is an expat and may even still be QF WP.

I think you'll find the author of post #14 herein is an expat and may even still be QF WP.

Oh, expat. That explains a lot.

Keep in mind that 1a/b and 1j/k are bassinet seats. I booked 1a/b a couple of years ago and was asked to give them up for people with a baby when I checked in at HKT. I declined - I had selected that flight precisely because those seats were available - they let me keep the seats no problem, but there's no garantee that they won't move you. Seats were good and I enjoyed having nobody reclining in front of me and having room to stretch my legs out.

I had an infant with me and booked 1a/b so that we can get a bassinet, but the plane changed at the last minute to the newer planes where there was only 1 bassinet in the middle rows only so you need to check your preselection a number of times prior to the flight if you want a particular seat.

Have to admit, I found Jetstar J to be unbearable after about 9 hours, and was pretty much going nuts that I wanted to get off. However, I didn't have the same issue when I was in BA Y+. I guess an 11-hour flight in an A332 was just a bit too much for me.

I had an infant with me and booked 1a/b so that we can get a bassinet, but the plane changed at the last minute to the newer planes where there was only 1 bassinet in the middle rows only so you need to check your preselection a number of times prior to the flight if you want a particular seat.

I check my seats often on flights when it matters to me. Nothing changed on this one until I got to the airport, and in fact I noticed that jk were available until quite a short time prior to the flight. If I was flying with an infant I would, like you, secure a bassinet seat well in advance. The couple on my plane didn't do that, I guess. Since there was no change in the equipment I didn't feel at all bad declining the request.

Have to admit, I found Jetstar J to be unbearable after about 9 hours, and was pretty much going nuts that I wanted to get off. However, I didn't have the same issue when I was in BA Y+. I guess an 11-hour flight in an A332 was just a bit too much for me.

90 minutes on BA in any class is beyond my limit, but that's a story for a different thread and forum.

It's OK, it's basically the same as QF domestic business. The seats don't recline anywhere near flat and are not that comfortable for sleeping but do-able for short or medium flights. You do get priority boarding which lets you go to the front of the huge Y queues.