BEGINNER’S GUIDE | Jetstar Hotels offers a convenient way to book accommodation while locking in a flight (or just on its own). But unless you have a Jetstar Hotels voucher that you’re trying to use up, we suggest booking through its ‘sister site’, Qantas Hotels, instead.
It should cost exactly the same but also come with plenty of Qantas Points on the side – potentially enough for a new reward flight booking! Using the right hotel booking website is a simple way to maximise your points haul.
This guide is targeted at beginners in the world of frequent flyer programs and points.
When should I use Jetstar Hotels?
We recommend using Jetstar Hotels if you have a promotional voucher to redeem. Jetstar sometimes issues $25 vouchers for booking a flight during a particular period and $50 vouchers for joining or renewing Club Jetstar. You might also receive birthday promotions or goodwill hotel credit.
Whatever the reason, these vouchers are almost as good as cash when booking a hotel, except they won’t be refunded should you cancel the booking. If you have one, it makes sense to use it, as you’ll usually enjoy some real savings.
Sometimes, it can make sense to book a hotel and flight package through Jetstar Holidays, particularly when there is a sale (for example, the screenshot below includes one person’s return flight completely free).
When should I use Qantas Hotels instead?
In most other cases, you should make Qantas Hotels your destination instead. You’ll find that both Qantas and Jetstar Hotels essentially use the same backend, just with different skins.
Hotels and offers you find on one platform should be identical on the other. But the kicker is that you’ll earn 3 Qantas Points per dollar at Qantas Hotels, plus more if you’re a Points Club member and/or a Qantas Business Rewards member. That will go a long way towards your next reward flight booking!
Stay up to date with the latest news, reviews and guides by subscribing to Point Hacks’ email newsletter.
Do not assume that Qantas Hotels will be cheaper or equal to other websites. I found it competitive for awhile then found it consistently higher when looking last year. Have not checked this year. but checking Qantas Hotels then going direct to the hotel website or using Booking.com, Agoda etc (depending on who has the best deal) is my approach. No point paying more unless the points offer great value.
I’ve rarely found the qantas offering to be competitive , the points were not worth the difference in cost. Often the cost is extortionately higher , same goes for qantas insurance
Don’t book with Qantas – IF you need a Tax Invoice for your employer or any tax requirement.
Qantas Hotel no longer issue a tax invoice attached to your confirmation email.
You are now required to ask at the hotel you are staying at for that invoice.
Which is fine IF they know exactly how much you paid Qantas Hotels.
So far, with 2 bookings under this new system, both Tax invoices from the Hotel have had the incorrect $ paid and made out to Expedia.
They are both Expedia underneath, are they not?