Jetstar "Price Match Guarantee" ... Deceptive advertising?

After not travelling much domestically in recent years I made a couple of Jetstar bokings in the last month, and heard them say over a dozen times, while waiting on the phone, that "if you find a cheaper internet price … call us and we'll beat it by 10%".

On this basis I made a booking on Thursday, for 21 September Melbourne-Brisbane return for 3 people. Yesterday I found that Tiger were 30% cheaper, same day, same time, same route, same class etc. I called Jetstar and they said, we have your money, you didn't tell us before you booked it (online), too bad. No match (let alone -10%). Not even the decency of a refund. If I hadn't paid so early, and just held the booking, I would have been ok!

Jetstar broadcast the "guarantee" - literally - hundreds of thousands of time each week with NO mention of having to find the price match before booking.

The constantly broadcast guarantee is different to the small print in your booking, I'm now told. Since when should this be acceptable?

Comments

  • +1

    the answer is no. because if you follow their instruction and if your situation match with their term and condition, no reason they refuse your price beat.

    Read the below statement many times, and try to understand the meaning of below statement.
    "If you find a published internet airfare on another airline that is lower than the lowest available comparable Jetstar fare on Jetstar.com, call us to book with Jetstar and we will beat the other airline’s fare by 10% "

    http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/what-we-offer/our-guarantees/pr…

    If you find a published internet airfare on another airline that is lower than the lowest available comparable Jetstar fare on Jetstar.com, call us to book with Jetstar and we will beat the other airline’s fare by 10% (provided we can verify the lower fare when you call to book). The comparable fare must be for a one way direct flight on the same route at a comparable time.

    Comparing a competitor’s price that does not include a checked baggage allowance or includes less than 20kg:
    If the competitor’s total price is lower, book on Jetstar without checked-in baggage. Compare the competitor’s total price to a Jetstar Starter fare without checked-in baggage.

    Comparing a competitor’s total price that includes 20kg checked baggage allowance (or more):
    If the competitor’s total price is lower, book on Jetstar with 20kg checked-in baggage. If the competitor’s total price includes at least 20kg checked baggage allowance, this is comparable to the total price of Jetstar’s Starter fare with added 20kg checked baggage allowance.

    Baggage allowance will be used for the comparison.

    Another airline’s fare which has less than 20kg checked baggage allowance or excludes checked baggage allowance is comparable to the price of Jetstar’s Starter fare (with no bundle) and a fare which includes at least 20kg checked baggage allowance is comparable to the total price of Jetstar’s Starter fare (with no bundle) with added 20kg checked baggage allowance.

  • +1

    Thank you for going to that trouble but that is DIFFERENT to the message they gave me (& everyone else who calls) countless times, and are still giving:

    "We love saving you money … Price Beat Guarantee … If you find a lower internet fare on another airline on the same route for a comparable time and fare, call us and we'll beat it by 10%."

    NOT "call us to book" it.

    Whilst their recording SHOULD be the same as the written conditions, and they would like it to be so, doesn't excuse the fact that it is NOT.

    While most customers who call hear the recording many, like me, do not see the written conditions (and nonetheless would expect them to be the same).

    • +1

      you still missed one thing, they always said condition apply. and this is the condition that you missed. remember mate, always remember the fine print (condition apply), and always play with their loophole, then you will be the true ozbargainer.

      • Yep, I need to improve my act!!! :)

  • +2

    It's a price beat offer, not a "refund" offer.

    Or to simplify, what it means is, "if any airline's website quotes you a lower price, we will beat the quote by 10%."
    That's essentially what price-matching is.

    Essentially, jetstar is guaranteeing you that (at the time of comparison) the airfares quoted on their website is the lowest of all the airlines. So, if you can find a lower quotation, they will beat the quote by 10%.
    Jetstar did quote you a lower price, of which you were able to purchase tickets at.
    But that is irrelevant to you as you already bought tickets.

  • I understand now :{

  • +1

    It's moot anyway since it takes you over an hour to get through to their bloody phone support.

    • +1

      really? it usually takes me longer to actually book the flight then it does waiting to speak to someone.

      The cheaky buggers do have a habit of moving flights times around to avoid tiger by 5-10mins, I miss Tiger.

      • Tiger are back now on some routes. Thank goodness as well.

        I fly Qantas for work (hopefully soon to be Virgin) and Tiger for leisure and let me tell you, I find the on-board service better on Tiger more often than not.

  • +1

    Best would be find the flight, then book at flight center. The one I go to do not have tiger on their usual flying list. So, it will be double discount for me. IE. get them to call jetstar to price match tiger, 10% off, plus $1 price beat on flight center side and another $20 voucher. WIN!

    Yes I've done this several times for Melbourne -> Sydney route, so it works.

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