Jacobs Creek Mystery Flight Promo THANKS, Feedback - Q&A

Got back last week from the Jacobs Creek mystery flight and thought I would thank the original Ozbargain poster Kirt http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/85335 and Jacobs Creek for such a great Promo as it is often said that if it’s too good to be true… Well happy to inform the sceptics that this turned out to be better than expected.

  1. Got confirmation as promised from Jacobs’s Creek 3 days prior to departure with the details of flight and hotel confirmation.
  2. Return Virgin flight to Melbourne includes free food, drink & movies – awesome!!
    3.Hotel in Melbourne was the Accor Citigate hotel – Clean and well located close to south bank and located in the heart of the City.
    4.Taxi fare from the airport to the city was $50 almost the price of the airfares and hotel, but I guess that is to be expected. Cheaper to get the skybus shuttle return at $56 for two people. I chose the Taxi to my regret.

I thought many will have questions and I am happy to try and answer or maybe any others that have also already taken their mystery flight can also. So Thanks again to Kirt you are a legend!! Thanks also goes to Jacobs Creek for such an awesome promotion.

Comments

  • hopefully i will get the same hotel as yourself. I am going in March to Melbourne via Virgin. I have flown Virgin before and didnt have free food/drink, that is a welcome change. May I ask where you departed from?
    Did the hotel offer any sort of upgrade? I will give it a try as i have a platinum accor card.

    thanks for posting the info

    • +3

      Perth & have a great trip, my wife and I did! The Accor card, not so good as they said it was booked thru a third party and not directly thru me but you may as well try. I tried for a late checkout but then decided to just leave our luggage with the concierge as I thought we had a great bargain already and did not want to push it!!

  • Thanks!
    Nice hotel and perfectly located for White Night (http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/93650) - hope I get it.
    How is the internet access? - Just kidding!

    Can you confirm no checked baggage allowance?

    • We did only take hand luggage as it said that on the Jacobs Creek details, however when I confirmed the flights with Virgin they are costed at $760?? I did not take much notice as it we did not need it but I thought it actually had allowance for 25kg but please don't quote me on that. Internet is pay so I just used tethering from my phone.

    • I haven't done mine yet, but my confirmation email says "Please note that you only have Carry On-Luggage included on your Mystery Trip Flights."

  • Lucky you got food/drink. Was very basic flight for me - just water or tea/coffee. Flight up had video screens, and flight back did not lol. But had a good time away, great promotion.

    • +1

      He must have been flying from Perth.

      Details for food & drink here: (depends on time and route)
      http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/on-board-the…

    • Yes, Perth and we did not expect to get anything so it was a welcome surprise. I did notice that Jetstar may also be used for the flights, so it must be luck of the draw.

  • Cheers for the writeup. Also going Perth to Melbourne. Called to 'confirm' my booking but there isn't one there. Back to the drawing board!

  • Thanks hope we also get the hotel ,looks like we are going with jetstar from perth in April

  • +1

    For any who are not fully familiar with getting about in Melbourne, they have the free City trams numbered 35 also a Free City bus painted red they both stop right outside or close to the Citigate Hotel. These pass every 10 - 20 mins and you can hop on and off to save your legs just ask for the details from the helpful information people dressed in red tops located all around Melbourne City.

    • Thanks. I read that a tram/bus pass is only $3.50 for a day on weekends, but you need a MYKI card.

      Also, was planning to try the bike-hire scheme. http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/pricing

      • Tram/Bus Pass is also a good way to get around the MYKI Card I think costs $6-7 then you top up but we pretty much found that the free tram/bus went to all the place we wanted to go and has visitor commentary. Bike sounds good but need to take a helmet I guess.

        • +1

          You would find good quality helmets for $5 in 7Eleven stores near bike ranks. These helmets cost a lot more and I think Council and the VIC Gov chips in a fair bit.
          I live in Melboure. Happy to answer any question if you have on Melbourne.

        • Thanks spal that’s brilliant, good of you to offer and it would be helpful to get local knowledge going for visitors. I am from Perth and happy to offer the same to any visiting from other states.

        • I don't think anyone will be visiting Perth on this deal. Not just the air-fares, but have you seen what the hotels charge here lately?

        • Some hotels do myki card deals which include some discount vouchers to local attractions. Also the visitor centre at Fed Square, skybus terminal etc. offer this package. More here:

          http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/myki-visitor-pack/

          Came back from Melbourne holiday last week: The free red visitor shuttle bus is great, however from November will cost $5 per day (children under 10 free). http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutCouncil/MediaReleases/P…

  • Wonder if you could claim your platinum benefits from this previous deal?
    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/90520

    • With the Accor Platinum, I didn’t do much good as they said it was booked thru a third party and not directly thru me but you may as well try. I tried for a late checkout but then decided to just leave our luggage with the concierge as I thought we had a great bargain already and did not want to push it!!

  • On a side note, Just yesterday I received an email from Accor stating I was receiving my Platinum card within the next two weeks. So I thought I would try to merge my standard classic Accor points with my new Platinum membership and that turned out to be a big mistake as Accor revoked the Platinum membership as they say it was gained thru a link with a false code?? I asked how I was able then to get confirmation and an email to verify that I would receive the new Platinum membership and was told it is automated so they are not made aware of it until I contacted them by email to merge my points?? So just a heads up you may or may not want to merge your points, I was sorry I did! although in saying that I probably would not want it if it was not legit.

    • I checked mine just now and i was platinum but now my membership is showing up as classic - must have reverted back somehow…

  • Can you tell me what the time of your flights were? I think I must be going to melbourne from perth and have even booked a vic market tour.

    I fly on friday at 930am and return sunday at 8pm. The only flights that directly match are with virgin.

    Can anyone confirm that there have been no connecting flights yet?

  • Left Sunday Morning Virgin from Perth at 9:30AM arrival into Melbourne at 3:55PM

  • thanks

    was your return at 8pm?

    thanks again

    • I think we left Melbourne on Virgin Tuesday at 5:30pm and arrived Perth time 6:30pm

  • have the exact same flight times as MMM. Hotel looks good for quick melbourne trip!

    • You can do self check-in online with Virgin 24hours prior and choose your seats! have a great time in Melb. Restaurants are cheaper and $2 coffee also Coles supermarket right next to Citigate. Enjoy…

      • +1

        I feel like I am in Bali, the prices in Melb are so low.

        I have free accomodation available in Melbourne city. Wonder if I should use that or use the rooms provided.

  • +2

    I got my reservation number from Virgin. Gave the date the booking was made, based on my email from F2T.
    I get one piece of checked luggage (23kg). (PER-MEL)
    Was told the booking can be changed for $60 + fare difference.

    Anybody tried to put their Velocity (frequent flyer) number on the booking for points?

    • There is an option to put your Frequent Flyer number when you check in at the airport, should work. I did not have a card so missed out.

    • is that a piece of checked baggage each or total?

      cheers

      • Each of course. Plus 7kg carry-on.

    • Thanks for that update.

    • Ended up being able to change my bookings - was $80pp plus fare difference. See my post in original bargain thread (page 8). Took 3 rings to Virgin before I found someone who would change it for me. Fare was $8 more for my change so all good. Extended it by a day as well (may as well if you have to pay for a change anyway).

      Citigate don't have a reservation under my name though. So It'd be awesome if anyone that goes to Melb can post their hotel? Don't want to ring every 3.5 to 4 star… :)

      • +3

        I have the mecure on little bourke

        • I have the mecure on little bourke

          See you there!
          Very central, but it appears to be on an large alleyway (little Bourke), facing David Jones.
          I'm not expecting anything fancy, given that the room photo on their front page is from a different hotel!

          Hmmm … looks like every 2nd street in Melbourne is really tiny. Were these originally alleys for garbage and "night soil"?

        • +1

          ive stayed there before. great little hotel. not too fancy, but clean and comfy. staff were friendly too.

        • I tried for a room upgrade, but only valid at Sofitel, Pullman and MGallery

  • +2

    We are staying at the Crossley Hotel on Little Bourke this weekend.. decent reviews and 4star rating. Hope it's good for us!

  • Little Bourke sounds nice, isn't that Chinatown? Go to the drinks shop that has orange frontage. They have a food section where you can buy cooked duck tongues to snack on.

    • +1

      Quack snack.

  • +2

    Got back. Flights went well - free food and drink, and checked luggage.
    The "Mecure Welcome" is really the old, cheaper wing of the Mecure on Swanston St. Same reception etc.
    Room was very small and simple, but good staff and the location is perfect.

    I can't see the economic sense in this promotion. Must have cost them a lot of money.

    • Agree, still can't get over the value… Plus, Plus for Jacobs Creek. Thought I would check to see the stand alone price of similar mystery flights with Virgin nearly $1000 for two people and we paid $58?? So as many have commented this would have to be the best bargain of 2012 or maybe in the history of OZbargain.

      • How did you only pay $58 dollars for 2 people? Each wine was ~$10 and you needed 12 ($120) for 2 people plus a $30 booking fee per person i think it was. Still no where near the ~$1000 but not sure how you only paid $58.

        • +3

          With all due respect, I did drink the wine I presume that you will also so I did not factor in the cost of the wine as I buy that anyway. The Tickets - yes my bad I humbly apologise you may flog me as they are indeed $29.95 each not $29 - Good Value? I think so!

          Offical - Jacobs Creek fanboy? Yes I am!

        • +1

          Oh alright, now it makes sense. I didn't drink them, i bought 6 wines and signed her up for the free mystery flight :) Pretty sure she is off to Melbourne too as it matched those times.

        • +2

          Now that was smart, she gets a holiday you get a holiday… everybody wins! +1

  • +1

    We are staying at the Crossley in Little Bourke, near the drink shop that sells duck tongues. You beauty! Flying Virgin. I hope they let me turp it up for free on the 930am flight to melbourne from Perth. Doesn't land until 355pm local time, so it's drinking time the whole way I reckon.

  • +1

    Got back yesterday. Flew to and from Adelaide - Melbourne, which included 23kg check in per person. Caught the sky bus which then transferred us to the hotel for free. Crossley Hotel was a great place to stay, good sized room, tidy bedsheets, bathroom was a little dated but everything was very clean. Staff were great. LCD tv was large, our room was overlooking little Bourke. Great place to stay! We were so close to everything, I would definitely come back here next time. Thanks Jacobs Creek for the magnificent deal!!!

  • +1

    For those going to melbourne, consider VHA shuttle. IMO more flexible.

  • +1

    Parents are staying at the crossley in melb flying jetstar from syd. They are thrilled!

  • +1

    Just called the Crossley. I am confirmed to be booked there for the 9th and 10th March.. woohoo! now its no mystery at all…

  • I've done a bit of research and am pretty sure we're travelling to Adelaide from Melbourne with Virgin, departing April 12 at 10:10am. returning 14 April at 4:10pm (pretty much only flights leaving same time).

    I rang Virgin to get flight reservation number, gave name flight info etc and was told that I wasn't in system and that I needed to contact my travel agent. Sounded a bit strange and different to what other people experienced above.

    any thoughts?

    • +1

      Sorry Rocket I am no help here but it may still be too early to check as Jacobs Creek may still be allocating the tickets - destination for April (just at a guess). I only checked ours when we received the confirmation 3 days prior to departure. My wife did match up the flight date given prior to receiving the confirmation and guessed it right in that we did end up going to Melbourne from Perth.

      Have a great time anyway when you go!!

      • Hey MMM, no stress and thanks for your reply. I'm not too fussed either way. Just spent an hour on the phone with an old mate from Adelaide organising our reunion. Looking forward to a weekend away without the kids ;-)

    • Have you tried Jetstar?

  • just called up to check on costs for changing our flight times….. $280 per person… geez gonna leave it how it was. but confirmed i have 23kg of checked baggage.

    • I was quoted $480 each. As if.

    • Depends which flight you change it to. Base cost is $80pp, then they add any extra comparing the cost of the original flights to the new ones you want.
      I just got the Virgin person on the phone to go through 3-4 different times/days until they found one that was about the same. So flight differences ended up being an extra $8pp on top of the $80.

      • they must have booked mine when they were on sale…

    • If you go to the virgin website with your reservation code, you can see what was paid for your tickets.
      Then go to bookings and compare for new flights. Anything at short notice will be expensive.
      They apparently paid $378 for my tickets - 1 person, PER-MEL return, by credit card. (!)

      Fare Basis: TZDA
      PENALTIES … PER TICKET CHARGE AUD 60.00 FOR REISSUE/ REVALIDATION.

      And it looks like prices have increased. Maybe it is related to their recent poor profit announcement.

  • Has anyone been to Sydney yet? If so, how (where) was the accomodation?

    • Yep, I stayed at Metro hotel Pitt St. Pretty good central location.

      • Thanks for that.

  • +1

    On the original post someone got the metro hotel on Pitt street for their Sydney hotel.

    • That would be me. It was pretty good. Not the best hotel I've stayed in, but certainly can't complain. Overall we were very happy with the promotion!

  • Has anyone got an Adelaide trip? Wondering where the hotel will be.

    • Same here isdi, I'm going to Adelaide 12-14 April, you?

      • Mine 9-11 March. I will be flying from Melbourne.

        • Melbourne as well ;-)

        • +2

          i think someone had the mecure on north terrace. ive stayed there before, not the best…

        • +2

          i got a trip to adelaide (from melbourne). hotel was the Hotel Grand Chancellor on Hindley. it's meant to be 4 star, but it's fairly old and basic. location is good (one block from rundle mall).

        • …and get the public transport bus from the airport .. less than $5 .. i don't know why melbourne can't do this (the 901 isn't good enough) .. i imagine lots of tourist come to melbourne and start (and end) their trip grumpy because transport from the airport is such a ripoff (see MMM's comments right at the top)

        • You could hitch-hike down Melrose St, and then take the tram into town :)

  • Leave this Sat 2nd for long weekend, Perth to Melb on Virgin, staying at The Crossley Hotel; having just got back from a month stay, looking forward to hitting Chin Chin and Maedaya restaurants again, maybe Airshow. Thanks OP Kirt, thought I may have originally been headed to Kalgoorlie, great promo Jacobs !!

  • Flying Jetstar from Newcastle to Melbourne this weekend. Staying at the Travelodge Southbank Melbourne.

    Happy Days!

    • Im gonna be in Melbs too. Staying at the Crossley on Little Bourke (travelling from Adelaide) shame i go late and come back early, but i cant complain for the price…

      • what a whirlwind of a trip… only one hiccup, the overhead power lines were damaged near docklands, so didnt get to go to docklands or harbourtown… no worries, just went to DFO South Wharf instead.

        had the best chinese dinner at the Shanghai Village dumpling house. never had quicker service. in and out in 20 minutes…

        one of the lifts in the hotel was broken, and i am sure there was a lady boy working on the desk. room was ok, had a lot worse, but i dont think it was upto the star rating.

        overall good stuff.

        and i think dizzee rascal was on our plane on the way back (off to perform at Future Music) with his entourage.

        • Yes, we went to Shanghai village as well. It was $57 for four people, two of whom overordered.

  • Hmm, those people who have been able to change their flight, can I confirm you did this by ringing Virgin?

    I just spoke to Virgin, and they say I need to ring the company running the promotion (ie. whoever Jacobs Creek ran this through) to ask them to make the change.

    Having said that, I now have the booking reference number, so not sure what stops me from just trying to make an adjustment online.

  • I got a flight on Virgin from Perth to Melbourne on 2-4 March. Stayed at the Crossley Hotel. Checking online the flights were $700 for 2 ppl including taxes. Apparently a saver fare (so it does include 1x23kg checked luggage each) but we didnt have any checked luggage

  • +1

    A big Onya to Kirt (the original poster) and also to Jacobs Creek for this promo.
    We went to Sydney and stayed at Metro Hotel on Pitt Street.
    Good location and good service at hotel.
    If you stay here try the Chat Thai for dinner, a few blocks west.
    Thanks again to Kirt and Jacobs Creek.

    • Can I enquire about your room please? Online reviews suggest some of their rooms are very tiny …. just wondering whether I should ring to see if we are booked there next month and pay for a room upgrade if need be. We'll be arriving late and leaving early, so will really have only one day in Sydney, so in theory, nearly half of the time we're there will be in our room … may as well be comfortable.

      • The rooms are not large, around european size. Having said that we had no problem with the room size as we were only there for 2 days and we spend very little time in the room, We only use the room for sleeping so the size isnt much of an issue.The rooms are clean and comfortable, I would have no hesitation staying here again. I have been in a lot smaller rooms around the world, however if you spend time in your room you may prefer to upgrade. Other people going to Sydney have also stayed in Wynard travelodge so you may get that hotel anyway.
        This is a great promotion, thanks again to Jacobs Creek and Kirt.

        • Thanks for that.

  • +1

    Just got our confirmation email for our flight and accomodation details.

    We are heading to Sydney with Virgi and we are staying at the Cambridge Hotel in Surry Hills.. Looking forward to this weekend..

    As has been mentioned previously.. Very big thanks to the OP and Jacobs creek for this promo!!

  • Has anyone managed to change their accommodation? I had to change dates (last minute wedding right on the date I selected), and managed to change the flights but the hotel is a whole other issue. Found the hotel, rang them direct but they need agent approval for changes. Rang the first agent (AOT) who said they need the originator to approve changes. Rang the promotion company (free 2 travel) who flat out refused even after offering to pay all change costs. Just stated "no changes". Flight is in 2 weeks so will just have to book new accomm…

  • Anyone flown to Brisbane, curious to know where I might end up staying?

    Cheer's

  • +5

    We flew virgin from Melbourne to launceston and stayed at the sebel launceston
    Had Accor platinum from previous post and used it to upgrade to be able to have free room wifi and a bottle of water.
    Booked a rental car on Expedia.com NOT .com.au with redspot and cost total including refuel $143.
    Taxi or shuttle bus was going to cos $15 per person one way. $60 in total.
    Car rental was 76.55. Redspot had a special prepay fuel at 1.35 per little which we took up. Fuel came to $54.
    All in all had an awesome time thanks to Jacobs creek and virgin.
    We ended up going to freycinet peninsula. Wineglass bay Coles bay and bicheno
    Launceston, we did James boags factory and cataract gorge and wineries.
    Was extremely impressed with Josef chromy winery. Absolutely beautiful.
    Lastly, we for frequent flyer points with virgin as well as with Accor.
    Awesome!!!

  • +1

    Just as an update for others.
    I've been trying to keep on top of our trip from Perth to Melbourne.
    I knew we were flying jetstar, so I rang them to get a copy of my itinerary. Made sure to ask them to add my email address to the jetstar system. I now had the reference number and was able to log into the system, but unfortunately wasn't able to change anything. With 3 days to go till our trip I tried to log in again to see if anything had changed, but no luck… After lots of trying I decided to try and check in (knowing full well it's way too early). I managed to do that, and was greeted with a notification that our original flight needed to be changed (outgoing wasn't available any more). The new outgoing flight was much later. The system did however give me several options to chose alternative flights at no cost. One of the flights was returning a day later which was good news because it meant that the time lost with the original late flight could be made up by coming home a day later. I just have to stump up an extra night's accommodation ourselves which is no biggie. ;-)
    Anyhoo, lets hope all goes well for our upcoming trip.
    BTW - we'll be staying at the Crossly like everybody else…

  • Got our email for flights to sydney on Anzac Day. We're booked at the Mercure, on George Street. Nice and central.

  • Got my details today
    Perth to Melbourne
    Staying at the crossly as well

    Looking at doing the great ocean road day trip 13 hour tour
    Any recommendations on tour companies or discounts available

    • +1

      i dont know any companies, but make sure you go to otway fly, wye river and apollo bay.

      have fun

    • +1

      Do not go on the 12 apostles heli flight. They screwed us in every way. Still furious months later.

      • We were going to do a heli flight as well ,what happened - thanks for the heads up

        • They promised us my daughter would sit in the front seat. The best seat. Otherwise we would not have gone. Then the funkwit pilot decided to put this fat slob in the front seat. We got stuck in the back seat where it was four abreast. On the left side, which gets the absolute least view. The flight was about 40% shorter than advertised. All passengers are fitted with mikes so we had to listen to the retarded and inane remarks (as well as cursing, but that is not as annoying as the retarded, self-serving, gratuitous, incessant remarks form these two hags) from these two obese women who were seated on the right. So on the first pass they hogged the view entirely. Due to the flight path, the RHS of the craft gets about 50% more time and is closer to the rocks. So they hogged the view. Then when we finally got our tiny window of view, these fat hags leaned over me and stuck their cameras over me and made stupid comments. They couldn't be happy with getting the lions share of the view and closer to the rocks, they had to suck any joy out of our little crap of inferior view. I was livid. It was not as advertised generally and we did not get the deal that we were specially offered - ie that my daughter got a front row seat. We paid the same for her as for me.

          This reminds me. I need to go review this travel provider on TripAdvisor.

  • Went to Adelaide from Melbourne on the weekend.
    Flew Virgin with carry-on only.
    Stayed at the Rockford on Hindley - interesting part of town. Nice 4.5 star hotel. complained about room and got a free upgrade to a 1br suite.
    Very happy, got to catch up with an old friend and had a lovely weekend away with the wife and without the kids.

    • yeah hindley has its share of interesting people…

      • I didn't mind the area, a bit seedy with clubs, bars and a few strip joints, but this made it more interesting than the usual sterile parts of a city. Fortunately, the noise didn't bother us!

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