100 Yen To Australia

[Mulboyne]

Source: Asahi

Discount airline Jetstar yesterday held a promotional event in Osaka for their flights between Cairns and Kansai International. They offered 1,000 seats for 100 yen each (23,000 yen tax & surcharges not included) on a first-come first-served basis. There was apparently a scene of people desperately phoning their friends and family to work out some suitable dates and the tickets were all gone in 8 hours.

[Yokohammer]

There was apparently a scene of people desperately phoning their friends and family to work out some suitable dates and the tickets were all gone in 8 hours.

It took 8 hours?!
Now that's really surprising. I wonder if that says more about the popularity of Australia as a travel destination, the current economy, or the organizational skills of ... er ... well you know who.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

It took 8 hours?!

That's what I thought, too.
But I'm not surprised that Australia has gone down in the estimations of the average Japanese tourist. Besides the economy, Australia/Australians are not doing their best to endear themselves to the Japanese (guilty as charged...)
And Cairns and Sufferer's Paradise on the Gold Coast are probably the worst examples of price gouging of tourists I have seen just about anywhere in the world.
Oz used to be great value for money but now it's mostly all just a scam and over-priced.

[Mulboyne]

There was apparently a lengthy queue so it probably says more about how long it took to process each purchaser.

Also, in Britain, I can imagine most people just buying a ticket and then working out how to get a break from work afterwards whereas Japanese buyers would want to sort those details out first. As the seats filled up, some in the queue would have found their first choice dates gone and would have had to work out another plan.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Also, in Britain, I can imagine most people just buying a ticket and then working out how to get a break from work afterwards whereas Japanese buyers would want to sort those details out first. As the seats filled up, some in the queue would have found their first choice dates gone and would have had to work out another plan.

And that's why Japanese people suck.

[IkemenTommy]

I got a mail last night asking if I wanted to go to Cairns with her in April. I wasn't sure if I could take any time off in April and she didn't tell me anything about costing 100 yen (plus the 23,000 yen fuel surcharge on top of it) so I told her to give me some time to think over. Either way at that point, I am sure the tickets were already sold out so it wouldn't have made the difference.

[Mulboyne]

I got a mail last night asking if I wanted to go to Cairns with her in April. I wasn't sure if I could take any time off in April and she didn't tell me anything about costing 100 yen (plus the 23,000 yen fuel surcharge on top of it) so I told her to give me some time to think over. Either way at that point, I am sure the tickets were already sold out so it wouldn't have made the difference.

Thanks for that. I saw the 23k figure and assumed that it was the usual price but, as you say, that's separate cost of tax & surcharges. have changed the text above.

[Greji]

And that's why Japanese people suck.

They do at that. Ain't it great!

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

(plus the 23,000 yen fuel surcharge on top of it)

Fucking scam...and that's one of the reasons why people are turning away from Australia in droves.

[IkemenTommy]

I contacted the Kansai gal again and she assured me that Jetstar has additional promo tickets, other than the 1000 that they originally offered, for the "friends and families". She works in the same building as where Jetstar is located and apparently those additional tickets must be booked by Friday.

The only problem I see is.. it would cost me 30,000 just to get to Kansai Airport from Tokyo so I am not really getting the sweet deal in the long run.

[GomiGirl]

I have just booked my first jetstar tickets from Narita to Gold Coast for early Jan. They were really cheap. I have heard mixed reports on the service of Jetstar - bad ground crew, fine in the air, strict on luggage etc. Not really sure what to expect, but for a return trip to Australia for less money than a night out with Greji and Mulboyne, it can't be that bad. I tend to see air travel like bus or train travel.. a means to an end... so I am a really mellow traveller.

So, I will pack my bento, a few books and an ambien and will sleep next to my darling and wake up in a different country. Perhaps we can find something to do to pass the time.

[Greji]

[quote="GomiGirl"]I have just booked my first jetstar tickets from Narita to Gold Coast for early Jan. They were really cheap. I have heard mixed reports on the service of Jetstar - bad ground crew, fine in the air, strict on luggage etc. Not really sure what to expect, but for a return trip to Australia for less money than a night out with Greji and Mulboyne, it can't be that bad. I tend to see air travel like bus or train travel.. a means to an end... so I am a really mellow traveller.

So, I will pack my bento, a few books and an ambien and will sleep next to my darling and wake up in a different country. Perhaps we can find something to do to pass the time. ]

Well you are a cheapskate, aren't you love.....

[GomiGirl]

Well you are a cheapskate, aren't you love.....

I need to save my pennies as you never come out to buy the drinks!!

[Greji]

I need to save my pennies as you never come out to buy the drinks!!

All you have to do is say that magical word "Shout" and Mulby and I will magically appear belly up to the rail with our pint glasses....

[Doctor Stop]

They offered 1,000 seats for 100 yen each (23,000 yen tax & surcharges not included) on a first-come first-served basis.

23,100 yen?! It wasn't that long ago that transportation to Australia used to be free.

I guess that's inflation for you.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

23,100 yen?! It wasn't that long ago that transportation to Australia used to be free.

I guess that's inflation for you.

I used to think that a penal colony was a nudist camp for men only until I learned about Australia's past....

[Coligny]

[quote="GomiGirl"]I have just booked my first jetstar tickets from Narita to Gold Coast for early Jan. They were really cheap. I have heard mixed reports on the service of Jetstar - bad ground crew, fine in the air, strict on luggage etc. Not really sure what to expect, but for a return trip to Australia for less money than a night out with Greji and Mulboyne, it can't be that bad. I tend to see air travel like bus or train travel.. a means to an end... so I am a really mellow traveller.

So, I will pack my bento, a few books and an ambien and will sleep next to my darling and wake up in a different country. Perhaps we can find something to do to pass the time. ]

Usually if the plane you are aboot to use is still able to fly after its previous trip, the company is not doing a bad job... Now if they can also send your luggage at the same place as you go, they can be considered top notch.

Mah favorite was Cathay on the day they annouced in flight at the start of the night that it was 'open galley' and for drinks and snacks just go to the kitchen space of the plane and enjoy yourself. Quite... cool indeed, those wanting to sleep were left alone and the kitchen area became a cool chat room.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Mah favorite was Cathay on the day they annouced in flight at the start of the night that it was 'open galley' and for drinks and snacks just go to the kitchen space of the plane and enjoy yourself. Quite... cool indeed, those wanting to sleep were left alone and the kitchen area became a cool chat room.

That is a good idea.

My favorite experience was on a flight from Riyadh to Jeddah about 20 years ago. I was traveling first-class (which in the Middle East then often meant the same thing as cattle class, which literally lived up to its name). After I got over the fright of the prayers to Allah before take-off, the no-smoking sign (remember them?) went off and the air hosts (no women working on Saudi planes) brought us all around water pipes and we puffed away delightedly on sweet flavored tobacco. Pity they weren't bongs....you need them for Saudi Arabia, especially post-Daddy Bush's Arab war.

[Yokohammer]

I used to think that a penal colony was a nudist camp for men only until I learned about Australia's past....

Well I'll be darned ... I always thought that "colony" had anatomical implications as well!
The thought scared the shit out of me.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Well I'll be darned ... I always thought that "colony" had anatomical implications as well!
The thought scared the shit out of me.

Now that you mention it, "colony" does have a certain ring (hardy har) to it that somehow makes me think of either Miss Japan or Ugandan pastors....

[GomiGirl]

Jetstar now offering \8,800* yen flights to and from Australia - Gold Coast and Cairns. Ads all over the TV, radio and internet

* plus surcharges

Since JAL pulled out of the Cairns direct route, coupled with Swine Flu scare, I think that the tourist industries have really suffered. I wonder how this Jetstar promos (including Becky as the tarento) will affect things.

[Taka-Okami]

Jetstar now offering \8,800* yen flights to and from Australia - Gold Coast and Cairns. Ads all over the TV, radio and internet

* plus surcharges

Since JAL pulled out of the Cairns direct route, coupled with Swine Flu scare, I think that the tourist industries have really suffered. I wonder how this Jetstar promos (including Becky as the tarento) will affect things.

I'm always suspicious of these ultra cheap tickets. I mean, they must be skimping on maintenance or something to make them so cheap. The cheapest I've ever gone is from Melb to Nagoya for $900 odd return (inc taxes etc etc) with Singapore, and even thats too cheap!

[IkemenTommy]

The catch is, these tickets are good only for off-peak seasons during the cold-ass winter weather. On top of that, you have to be able to take some time off from work.

The offer is good until midnight today so you better hurry if you are planning to do so.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

I'm always suspicious of these ultra cheap tickets. I mean, they must be skimping on maintenance or something to make them so cheap. The cheapest I've ever gone is from Melb to Nagoya for $900 odd return (inc taxes etc etc) with Singapore, and even thats too cheap!

Back in the mid-90s, I got an off peak flight TYO-SYD-MEL for 60,000 yen -- with No Additional Charges!!!!!
I think they're cheap because they're already making so much money in the first place.

The catch is, these tickets are good only for off-peak seasons during the cold-ass winter weather.

Cairns is pretty safe...it rains all year round, but not for long. And it's warm year-round. The Gold Coast can be hit-and-miss at times.
Avoid Melbourne; it's like Japan in that it has four seasons, but Melbourne gets them every DAY!

[cliffy]

Cairns is pretty safe...it rains all year round, but not for long.

As a long term resident of Cairns I can say this comment is mostly true, but not between Christmas and late February. This being the peak of "The Wet" Cyclones and Monsoonal rain being the same world wide, very wet, very windy and sometimes deadly. BUT most of all it is very humid and energy sapping.

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

One other small catch if you are using Jetstar and have to transfer, have lots of time between transfers because you have to haul you bags off and check them on your next flight. Maybe not a big deal if you are travelling alone or using the money saved to upgrade to business and lounge access but a major PITA with kids.