‘Not every day’: Jetstar passenger’s wild act

Julie Brown and her husband Josh from Picton in NSW have done the unthinkable – and not even Jetstar can believe it.

Julie Brown and her partner have travelled to every destination on Jetstar’s network and not even the airline can believe it.

Ms Brown and her husband Josh love a bargain especially when it comes to flights — so when the budget airline launched its loyalty program Club Jetstar a decade ago, the pair pounced at the opportunity to sign up.

Julie and Josh Brown, with their three children aged 12, nine and five.

The couple took advantage of the program and have since saved just over $20,000 after travelling to 34 destinations on the Jetstar network together with their three children aged 12, nine and five.

“It’s really exciting, completing the whole network wasn’t something we intentionally planned but just happened naturally as sales came up and we looked for places we hadn’t travelled to,” Ms Brown said.

Julie and Josh have visited every destination on the Jetstar network.

In total, Jetstar has 22 national and 12 international destinations and over the past two years alone, the Brown family, from Picton, NSW, has visited 15 destinations.

“It is certainly not everyday we see a family who travels this much,” a Jetstar spokesperson told news.com.au.

“It is exciting to see a savvy family who has benefited from Club Jetstar discounts for over 10 years, exploring more places for less.”

They recently visited the Cook Islands.

Julie described it as one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Their most recent trip and one of the last in the network to complete was to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

Ms Brown described it as unlike any other destination they’ve been to.

“I didn’t know what to expect – but it’s the most beautiful place — nothing compares,” Ms Brown told news.com.au.

She said there was plenty of activities with some of the highlights including quad biking.

“It looked like Hawaii but a lot more relaxed and there was just so much to do activity wise and for the kids.”

She said highlights were the quad bikes, snorkelling, the beach bars and restaurants on the sand and the day trip to Aitutaki.

Ms Brown and one of her children did the day trip to Aitutaki, known for its turquoise lagoon and a surrounding barrier reef.

“We had to get a separate plane and boat out there but it was also the most beautiful place in the world hands down. You just can’t describe the colour of the water – it’s so pristine and crystal clear.”

Ms Brown said as family of five it can get really expensive to travel, but they wait and book discounted airfares.

“The club Jetstar sales usually come out one day prior to the general public, which is why we always get the best deals on flights,” she said.

The mother of three is an early childhood teacher while her husband is a project manager in construction.

The family have saved more than $20,000 since signing up to Jetstar’s loyalty program over a decade ago. It gives them exclusive access to sales which is when they book their holidays.

“We are both busy working parents so holidays for us are a way switching off from life and connecting with our children and creating some life long memories,” she said.

“Usually my husband will call me and tell me there is a sale somewhere and we just book it if it’s a good deal.”

Jetstar’s big sale to the Cook Islands

In celebration of Jetstar’s one year anniversary flying from Sydney to Rarotonga, it is offering discounted fares from just $229 one-way.

The sale is on now until 11.59pm AEST on Saturday, July 9, 2024, unless sold out prior. Travel dates vary per route but include late January to late May 2025.

The view of Aitutaki from the air.

Since Jetstar launched its direct route to the Cook Islands, it has carried more than 50,000 customers with the destination rising in popularity.

“Every week more and more Australians are falling in love with its white sand beaches, sparkling blue waters, warm weather and friendly locals,” Jetstar’s executive manager for customer service Jenn Armor said.

The Cook Islands are known for their beaches and water activities. Picture: Cook Islands Tourism

As such, in March the airline has increased its services from three return flights per week to four.

“Having Jetstar flying four direct flights per week from Sydney is a game changer for the Cook Islands,” Australasia Cook Islands Tourism general manager Graeme West said.

“Based on the first five months of this year, and forward bookings, we expect calendar year 2024 to be 15 per cent higher than the previous best year ever from Australia.’’

According to Jetstar, Australian visitor arrivals since July 2023 have been steadily increasing, with five of the last 10 months (July 2023 – April 2024) being record arrival months.

There have been 2000 more Australian visitors than ever before over these months, the airline reported.

“We thank the Cook Islands Government for its ongoing support of the route,” Ms Armor said.