Lawyer exploits Jetstar "return for free" loophole and takes them to NZ civil court
May 15, 2024, 3:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 123
Lawyer exploits Jetstar "return for free" loophole and takes them to NZ civil court
Hi what does everyone think about this? Clever exploit?
Jetstar flight sale used by Wellington man in bid to get $5000 - NZ Herald
A Wellington-based lawyer is trying to get Jetstar to pay him almost $5000 after he booked and cancelled 59 flights to capitalise on what he believed was a legal loophole.
On March 12, 2020, Tyrone Barugh, director of small law firm Spilt Milk, booked an Auckland-to-Sydney return ticket with Jetstar for travel from March 25 to May 7.
Like many people, he was reacting to Jetstar’s promotional “Return for free” sale. Unlike many people, however, Barugh proceeded to cancel and book 57 more return flights to take advantage of what he saw as a loophole.
Now, he is taking Jetstar to the Disputes Tribunal to get back $4965 in fees he claims he’s entitled to under a combination of Australian legislation and Jetstar’s policies.
On March 12, 2020, Tyrone Barugh, director of small law firm Spilt Milk, booked an Auckland-to-Sydney return ticket with Jetstar for travel from March 25 to May 7.
Like many people, he was reacting to Jetstar’s promotional “Return for free” sale. Unlike many people, however, Barugh proceeded to cancel and book 57 more return flights to take advantage of what he saw as a loophole.
Now, he is taking Jetstar to the Disputes Tribunal to get back $4965 in fees he claims he’s entitled to under a combination of Australian legislation and Jetstar’s policies.
May 15, 2024, 6:59 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 1999
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Reading the article, it is interesting, and I also note that he booked these flights when borders were closed during COVID. Not sure what bearing that has,
My understanding is that the base of his argument is that he booked a JQ flight with a "free return". He cancelled the outbound for credit (fine). but still had the inbound booking live. As that inbound booking has various taxes and charges (e.g. AU passenger movement charge), he would like those refunded to him minus an admin charge, which from his 59 bookings is $4965. It seems odd that JQ would cancel the outbound but not also cancel the inbound at the same time?
It is curious as he is leaning on JQ CoC with regards to refunding taxes and charges following cancellation.
KF
My understanding is that the base of his argument is that he booked a JQ flight with a "free return". He cancelled the outbound for credit (fine). but still had the inbound booking live. As that inbound booking has various taxes and charges (e.g. AU passenger movement charge), he would like those refunded to him minus an admin charge, which from his 59 bookings is $4965. It seems odd that JQ would cancel the outbound but not also cancel the inbound at the same time?
It is curious as he is leaning on JQ CoC with regards to refunding taxes and charges following cancellation.
KF
May 15, 2024, 3:32 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,253
I have booked 2 of these JQ ex NZ "free return" fares (before CV19). The JQ tax invoice did not list the AU Passenger movement charge (departure tax) or other ex AU govt charges for leaving Australia. Other JQ tickets do list these govt charges. JQ does not clearly identify the codes for govt charges, but can be deduced by comparing with other tickets, E.g. WY WG KK F1 AU (AU=$60 departure tax).
Depending on the jurisdiction can be nil or less charges for non revenue fares. For example on awards a carrier surcharge (=airline profit) can trigger additional real govt charges.
Depending on the jurisdiction can be nil or less charges for non revenue fares. For example on awards a carrier surcharge (=airline profit) can trigger additional real govt charges.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; May 15, 2024 at 3:47 pm