Jet Star sale fares advice?

[thedragon]

Jetstar isn't too bad, we use it to fly domestically about once a month. It's just not a full service airline. If you want a drink you have to pay for it, although it sounds like you're paying up front for the meal, which I assume includes booze.

I've flown Malaysian air and to be honest, I prefer Jetstar.

The price that you have, $1,300 for two people including tax / baggage / meals, is really quite good. The stopover in SG would be a bit of a pain, but if you've got the time the price may be worth it.

 

[Truman42]

I only pre paid the meals because I thought they would sting you more if you brought them on the plane, and I don't think that includes drinks.

We have a choice of a direct flight on the way back but we chose a stopover in Singapore so we could go into the city and go to the zoo.

 

[Mick74]

I've never flown Jetstar before, why are they so bad?

If we don't get the Jetstar sale fares we will probably go Malaysian Airlines which are $1600 total so same as Jetstar when not on sale.

@Muddywaters.. The missus wants to go in May for her birthday and doesn't want to go later on in the year. I lived in Broome for 18 years so am used to wet season build up temps so doesn't worry me.

I have never actually flown Jetstar - my attitude towards them is more based on that whenever I've researched their fares I have ended up with a quote that is pretty much the same as what I'd get on a regular airline (once I add on that I want to travel with luggage and want meals). You look like you have got a good deal though.

As for the weather just thought I'd mention it as it can be shock for some but you'll be right. Where we live (part time) in the northeast Thailand it is usually 40C plus during hot season.

Have a good trip - let us know your thoughts on Jetstar when you get back.

 

[mr_wibble]

I only pre paid the meals because I thought they would sting you more if you brought them on the plane, and I don't think that includes drinks.

We have a choice of a direct flight on the way back but we chose a stopover in Singapore so we could go into the city and go to the zoo.

If you like a curry, go out to East Coast Park (~SIN$20 taxi) for chilli crab, maybe to Jumbo Seafood. It wont be particularly cheap though.
Failing that head to a hawkers centre for awesome food. Chinatown is good too, lots of places are great.

IMHO don't goto Orchard Road for modern shopping centres, unless it's your thing of course.

EDIT: There are multiple "Jumbo Seafood" restaurants in Singapore - clarification.

 

[philmud]

I've flown Air Asia to KL before and I assume it's a similar experience to Jetstar (LCC etc.) I'd do it again no dramas - it's a short flight and IMO the money you *could* spend flying with a better carrier will go much further on your holiday. I'd baulk at a LCC to Europe (but if it was the only way I could get there...), but go for it!

 

[Spiesy]

For what it's worth, my wife and I flew Jetstar return to Indonesia last year - we won't do that again.

Whilst it wasn't the worst flight in the world, it certainly wasn't the best.

We don't travel that much together, so going overseas is certainly a treat, and we'd prefer not to cast any shadows over the trip with a budget airline experience. I.e. getting ripped on add-ons like luggage, in flight entertainment, food etc. Bad seats. Bad flight times. Layovers. Etc.

 

[pk.sax]

Flights longer than 2 ish hours, you want:

1. Wide body aircraft. I.e., multiple aisles. Most airlines that afford one also put decent seats in them.
2. Meals sorted out, it is somehow tiring to fly. Stay hydrated.
3. Avoid the middle column of seats if possible, stuck is a mild word.
4. Some smaller aircraft with good seats and seat pitch - Fokker 100, embraer 190.
5. Avoid the budget carrier flying a 737 or an a320. That's like flying a chicken coop.

That's only generic advice but the basis is get something with more generous seat pitch and wider seats. I know for a fact the E190 seats are wider than 737ng seats. And more comfortable too. Exit row seats are amazing when you can find them. Even on shorter flights, q400 dash 8 has very nice seat pitch. Q100 & q300s and q200, not so much. I haven't worked with an atr though. I believe the q400 also has multiple aircon packs, the q100, 200, 300 flown by some regionals have one. And those are ****. I include comments on turboprops since they are typically longer flights than a jet flying the same leg.

 

[djar007]

And don't forget the earplugs on the turbo props.

 

[Truman42]

Hey seasoned travellers, I'm just wondering what the best way is to go about money exchange etc when in Thailand?
Ive done some reading and there seems to be varied opinions on using travel cards. I was considering getting one through ANZ but then noticed that it takes four days to transfer money across. I didnt want to keep a lot of money on it in case it gets stolen so wanted to just transfer money across every couple of days etc.

My other option is to use my anz visa debit card but it has paywave so if it got lost or stolen I could be in the ****. So what do you guys suggest as the best option?

 

[SmallFry]

Go to ANZ, get a $500 cash pack over the counter. Will contain plenty enough baht for the majority of your stay. Take another couple of hundred $ AUD, you will find plenty if legit money changers over there, and the exchange rate is as good, if not better than doing it here.
Source: spent a week in Phuket last Sept.

 

[pk.sax]

From my Bali and India experiences, cash is where it's at. Carry a few hundred, exchange rates there can be pretty damn good compared to the extreme fees charged here.

Besides that, I always have my card that doesn't charge forex fees for the bits that need it - hotel etc. It only comes out for those few things. Rest is cash, once converted its as good as local

 

[wide eyed and legless]

I have always just used cash,plenty of money changers to get a good rate from, this last time (UK) just used the Virgin Velocity Visa
I think the money converts automatically to the currency where you are.

 

[DU99]

Try Australia Post

 

[thedragon]

I have an ATM only card from westpac which I use to get cash out from any cirrus / meistro ATM. My experience is that the exchange rate that you get from the ATM is better than what you'll get from a money changer here or overseas, even after you take the typical $5 overseas transaction fee in to account.

Depending on the country / city I either keep my Visa card in my wallet in my pocket, or in a safe in the hotel room. Usually it's in my pocket. Yes you can get robbed (I have been, once in 2001), but if you're not walking around looking like a dumb tourist (I was) you can minimise the risk.

I don't blame you for worrying about pay wave. It's convenient, but it's bloody insecure. Perhaps if you call your bank they will be able to deactivate it for you while you're away

 

[Spiesy]

I have a NAB Travel Card, it's awesome for travelling.

Free to get, even if you don't bank with NAB.

From memory, no commission when loading it up (via Bpay, online), and no fee when pulling your money out when you get back home.

It's accepted at any machine that accepts Visa or MasterCard, can't remember which one it is.

And the best thing, you can store multiple currencies on it, and transfer between currencies (online).

You also have a backup card in case you lose the main one.

 

[Truman42]

Thanks gents, a few options to consider. I dont want to carry around a heap of cash and would rather get out the days cash needs each morning. I thought using atm would charge huge fees but from what thedragon said it sounds like the go.

But will see about getting paywave removed on my card.

@Spiesy..I considered the anz travel card but it takes four days to transfer money. Are these travel cards also a visa card or debit only? I dont want to put $1500 on it then it gets stolen and someone can visa all my money out?

Also gents what about travel Insurance? Any hints and tips? Should we get it or waste of money??

 

[Florian]

As for travel insurance: if you get it you won't need it, but if you don't get it you'll get stung somewhere.

honestly though, it really depends on what it actually insures, lots of fine print to read if you go down that route.

I'll refrain from giving you a recommendation as that's purely a personal decision.

 

[wide eyed and legless]

Spiesy, gives you good advice there Truman the NAB is a good card and it does both Master Card and Visa, no charge for taking money out of the machine, but cash is king if you don't mind carrying it.
Travel insurance you have to have, I believe Australia Post does a travel insurance, I got a Kidney stone on travelling from my kidney to my bladder 2 years ago in Malaysia, excruciating pain thankful for the travel insurance then.
Another top tip for your flight 'Y Fronts' will stop your wedding tackle getting in a tangle, and if you wear them on the outside of your strides you may even get a row of seats for yourself.

 

[thedragon]

Travel insurance is a necessary evil. Not because it covers you if you get robbed (it does, with an excess), but more shiuld you get injured and need to go to hospital overseas or if you need to get flown home die to you injury. If you get hurt and need medical attention, that's where the cost really kicks in.

Most travel insurance policies don't cover "dangerous" activities like riding a motorbike, skydiving....

Depending on the credit card that you have and if you used it to pay for you flight, you may be covered by credit card insurance. Most gold / platinum / black credit cards offer basic travel insurance that will cover you for basic theft and personal injury insurance.

If you're not covered by credit card travel insurance, there are a heap of online companies that offer discount basic cover. Before I was covered by my credit card I used travel insurance direct and found their coverage to be good and the price competitive. There are others that would offer discount insurance too.

I'm not an insurance expert... just my experience.

 

[Spiesy]

@Spiesy..I considered the anz travel card but it takes four days to transfer money. Are these travel cards also a visa card or debit only? I dont want to put $1500 on it then it gets stolen and someone can visa all my money out?

Both, from memory.

Edit. There's always going to be a little delay with Bpay transfers. Not a huge deal if you can plan ahead and have a backup plan.