Blog
Contents
Primary sources referenced
Verdict: Jetstar wins pure headline cost, Virgin often wins total cost for one-bag travellers, Qantas wins points earn and peak-date flexibility
Which booking site to use for Bali flights: Skyscanner vs Trip.com vs Expedia vs Virgin Australia direct
The three airlines, side by side
Total cost math: same trip, three airlines
Baggage, seats, meals: the ancillary math
Frequent Flyer points earn: Qantas vs Velocity math
Peak-August dates: flexibility premium
Which OTA surfaces the sharpest Bali fare
Cross-scenario comparison
Direct-airline sale windows to watch
Going through ShopBack for flights, hotels and packages
When Jetstar is NOT the right pick despite the price
Where Cashback fits
Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
About this section
Blog
Is Jetstar Actually Cheaper Than Virgin and Qantas for Bali from Australia

Jetstar undercuts Virgin Australia and Qantas on headline Bali fares from Australia in 2026, but bags, seats and meals can flip it. Virgin often wins.
Updated: October 2026
Primary sources referenced
Jetstar usually wins on headline Bali fares and Virgin Australia often wins once bags, seats and meals are added, so compare the three on total cost, then book through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. Jetstar's headline Starter fare almost always looks cheaper than the other two on the search-results page, and the question is whether it stays cheaper once you add the things the Starter fare does not include. Booking 8 to 14 weeks out from the Christmas and January school-holiday peak is the sweet spot this guide works from. The decision to make then is not just which airline but which booking site to lock the fare through. Use ShopBack to compare Skyscanner, Trip.com and Expedia on your dates before you commit.
Verdict: Jetstar wins pure headline cost, Virgin often wins total cost for one-bag travellers, Qantas wins points earn and peak-date flexibility
For a backpack-only solo traveller with fixed dates, no meal preference, no seat selection, Jetstar Starter is typically the cheapest total cost by AUD 100 to AUD 250 one-way from Australian gateways to Denpasar. Run the ShopBack Travel Planner to compare flight and hotel options across the merchants in this guide before booking.
For a traveller with a 20kg checked bag, seat preference, and a meal on the plane, Virgin Australia Choice frequently lands within AUD 20 to AUD 100 of Jetstar Starter Plus total cost. Choice includes a 23kg checked bag and standard seat selection, according to Virgin Australia. Real "cheapest" flips depending on how much Jetstar charges for the bag on the day.
For a peak-date traveller (school holidays, Christmas, Easter, Chinese New Year) who wants change flexibility, Qantas Economy Sale or Virgin Australia Flex offer more manageable change and cancellation policies. Jetstar Starter is the least flexible; the change fees on peak-date bookings often erode the initial saving.
For Frequent Flyer earn, direct booking with Qantas or Virgin Australia in Economy Sale or Choice fares beats OTA-booked Jetstar Starter every time on Qantas Points or Velocity Points earn per dollar.
If you are booking a first Bali trip and points earn does not matter yet, Jetstar Starter locked in early on a Jetstar Frenzy sale is the sharpest headline price. If you are travelling with a bag and want cabin quality, Virgin Choice is often the total-cost winner.
If Virgin Australia comes out ahead on total cost for your trip, check the Cashback rate on the ShopBack Virgin Australia page and activate it before you book direct.
Compare flight Cashback on Trip.com via ShopBack. Free to sign up. Takes 2 minutes.
New to ShopBack? ShopBack is a free Cashback app and website. ShopBack Travel Planner at shopback.com.au/travel surfaces Cashback-enabled flights, hotels, and activities across Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia, Trip.com and other partner platforms. Sign up free at shopback.com.au/signup.
Which booking site to use for Bali flights: Skyscanner vs Trip.com vs Expedia vs Virgin Australia direct
Once you know which airline fits your bag and flexibility needs, the honest answer on where to book depends on whether you want the widest field, a connecting-fare fallback, a flight-plus-hotel bundle, or full Velocity earn.
| Pick | Best for | When it is cheapest | Cashback path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skyscanner | Seeing all three Australian carriers plus Batik Air and the KUL and SIN connections in one search | Tuesday and Wednesday departures searched 8 to 14 weeks out | Activate ShopBack, then shop Skyscanner |
| Trip.com | Connecting fares via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore that undercut the direct set | Shoulder weeks outside school holidays when connecting capacity is loose | Activate ShopBack, then shop Trip.com |
| Expedia | Flight plus Bali hotel in one booking for couples and families | When the bundle discount beats the sum of separate bookings, typically 10 to 20 percent | Activate ShopBack, then shop Expedia |
| Virgin Australia direct | Choice fares with the bag and meal included, and full Velocity earn | Virgin Australia Sale windows, which run roughly quarterly | Activate ShopBack, then shop Virgin Australia |
Use ShopBack to compare Skyscanner, Trip.com, Expedia and Virgin Australia on the day you are ready to pay, then book from whichever wins on total cost.
The three airlines, side by side
| Feature | Jetstar (Starter to Business) | Virgin Australia (Lite to Flex) | Qantas (Economy Sale to Economy Flex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Low-cost carrier | Mid-market full-service | Full-service national carrier |
| Cheapest one-way fare on non-peak dates (typical range from AU gateways to Denpasar) | AUD 200 to AUD 400 | AUD 320 to AUD 550 | AUD 400 to AUD 700 |
| Checked baggage on cheapest fare | Not included (Starter fare); add-on typically AUD 30 to AUD 55 each way | 23kg included on Choice; not included on Lite | 30kg on Economy Sale and above (verify at booking) |
| Seat selection | Add-on AUD 5 to AUD 45 per sector | Included from Choice tier | Included from Economy Sale (verify) |
| Meal | Add-on AUD 15 to AUD 25 | Check Virgin Australia's site for your route | Included on Economy international sector |
| Change flexibility on cheapest fare | Change fees apply; Starter often non-refundable | Choice allows changes with fee; Flex more flexible | Economy Sale allows changes with fee; Economy Flex fully flexible |
| Frequent Flyer program | Qantas Frequent Flyer (via Jetstar earn table; lower rate on Starter) | Velocity Frequent Flyer | Qantas Frequent Flyer |
| Points earn on paid economy | Depends on fare type; check the Qantas earn calculator | 4 Velocity Points per $1 on eligible fares, 5 with an eligible card (bookings from 2 April 2025) | Depends on fare type; check the Qantas earn calculator |
| Cabin experience | Basic, dense seating | Full-service mid-market | Full-service premium leisure |
Fare ranges are historical patterns from Australian gateway to Denpasar and vary significantly by date, sale window, and booking lead time. Verify current fares at each airline's site.
Total cost math: same trip, three airlines
Consider a return economy flight Sydney to Denpasar, mid-week, September school holiday shoulder (typical mid-tier demand week). One traveller, one 20kg checked bag, meal on board, aisle seat preferred.
Jetstar Starter path. Return Starter fare AUD 650. Checked bag return AUD 80 to AUD 110. Seat selection return AUD 20 to AUD 40. Meal return AUD 30 to AUD 50. Total AUD 780 to AUD 850. Change flexibility: none at Starter (change fees apply).
Jetstar Starter Plus path (bundle including bag and seat). Starter Plus return AUD 800 to AUD 900 (includes 20kg bag, seat selection, meal). Change flexibility: limited.
Virgin Australia Choice path. Choice return AUD 850 to AUD 1,000 (includes 23kg bag and seat selection; check food inclusions for your route). Change flexibility: yes with change fee.
Qantas Economy Sale path. Economy Sale return AUD 950 to AUD 1,200 (includes 30kg bag, meal, drinks, seat selection).
The pattern that repeats: at the "bag + seat + meal" comparison, Jetstar Starter Plus and Virgin Choice land within roughly AUD 50 to AUD 150 of each other. Qantas Economy Sale sits AUD 100 to AUD 300 above the pair. The choice at that band is service quality, Frequent Flyer earn, and change flexibility, not headline price.
Going through ShopBack first. If you book through a ShopBack store such as Expedia, Trip.com or Virgin Australia, Cashback tracks at the live rate shown on that store's ShopBack page, so check it before you pay.
Baggage, seats, meals: the ancillary math
Jetstar checked baggage. Pre-purchased at booking is materially cheaper than at-airport add-on. 20kg checked pre-purchased typically AUD 30 to AUD 55 each way from Australia to Bali. 30kg pre-purchased typically AUD 50 to AUD 80 each way. At-airport bag purchase can run AUD 100 to AUD 160 per sector at the counter; forgetting to pre-purchase is a classic Jetstar trap.
Jetstar seat selection. Standard seats typically AUD 5 to AUD 15 per sector. Upfront and Extra Legroom AUD 25 to AUD 45. Random seat assignment at check-in is free.
Jetstar meals. Not included on Starter. Meal boxes AUD 15 to AUD 25 pre-purchased at booking, similar at-cabin purchase. Water and non-alcoholic drinks in the cabin are chargeable.
Virgin Australia baggage. Lite fare includes carry-on only; Choice and Flex include 23kg checked for non-members, according to Virgin Australia. Extra bags on Lite cost extra.
Virgin Australia seats and meals. Choice and Flex include standard seat selection. Check Virgin Australia's site for what food is included on your route.
Qantas baggage. Economy Sale on international sectors includes 30kg checked (verify at booking). Economy Flex similar or higher.
Qantas seats and meals. Included on Economy Sale international sectors.
Rule of thumb. If you are travelling with a bag, run the total-cost comparison, not the headline-fare comparison. Jetstar sometimes still wins after bag; often it does not.
Frequent Flyer points earn: Qantas vs Velocity math
Qantas Points earned on a paid Qantas or Jetstar Bali fare depend on the fare type you book, and cheaper fare types generally earn fewer points. Check the Qantas Frequent Flyer earn calculator for your route and fare before you book.
Velocity earn on a paid Virgin Australia fare is spend based. According to Virgin Australia, for bookings made on or after 2 April 2025, Velocity members earn 4 Velocity Points per $1 spent on eligible fares, or 5 per $1 with an eligible Velocity Points earning credit card. On a AUD 900 return, that is 3,600 Velocity Points, or 4,500 with an eligible card.
Points math. A higher fare type on Qantas earns more points than Jetstar Starter on the same route, but it also costs more. Points can close the price gap for frequent travellers building a balance, so compare the extra points against the extra fare before you book.
Practical takeaway. If you are chasing Qantas Points status or building a Velocity balance, book direct with Qantas or Virgin. If you are one-and-done for Bali and points do not matter, Jetstar Starter locked in on a Frenzy sale is the cheapest total.
Peak-August dates: flexibility premium
August school-holiday travel from Australia to Bali sees the biggest demand pulse of the year outside Christmas. Fares typically run 30 to 80% above shoulder-season averages. Change and cancellation flexibility becomes critical: illness, exam clashes, weather disruption in Bali (unusual for dry season but possible), or missed connections can force a change.
Jetstar Starter flexibility. Change fees apply; cancellation typically non-refundable at Starter tier. If the trip needs to change, the traveller pays the fare difference plus a change fee. On peak dates, this can quickly exceed the initial saving over Virgin or Qantas.
Virgin Australia Choice flexibility. Changes allowed with change fee (verify current schedule). Cancellation subject to fare rules.
Qantas Economy Flex flexibility. Fully flexible on changes; refundable within program rules. The premium over Economy Sale is 15 to 30% but the flexibility can be worth every dollar of it on high-uncertainty travel.
For families on peak-August dates, Virgin Choice or Qantas Economy Sale is often the better total-cost choice once you factor in change-fee risk on Jetstar Starter. For solo travellers with fixed dates and confirmed timelines, Jetstar Starter is fine.
Which OTA surfaces the sharpest Bali fare
Skyscanner. Aggregates all three Australian carriers plus Batik Air, Singapore Airlines via SIN, Malaysia Airlines via KUL, AirAsia via KUL. Typically surfaces the lowest published fare across the field. No booking fee (Skyscanner clicks through to the airline or OTA for booking).
Google Flights. Similar aggregation to Skyscanner. Strong on price-trend visualisation (whether current fare is above or below the historical average).
Webjet. Australian OTA aggregating domestic and international airlines. Adds a Webjet booking fee. Often competitive on Bali direct fares; occasionally surfaces flash rates below the airline direct site.
Trip.com Australia. Surfaces connecting-fare options via KUL or SIN that Skyscanner and Webjet may not lead with. Useful when a Batik Air or Malaysia Airlines connecting fare undercuts the direct Jetstar-Virgin-Qantas set.
Expedia AU. Bundles flight-plus-hotel; less competitive on flight-only.
Rule of thumb. Start on Skyscanner or Google Flights for a full-field view. Once you find the cheapest published fare, click through to the airline's own site to book direct where possible (cleanest service, ancillary flexibility, full points earn). If the OTA price is meaningfully cheaper (AUD 40+), book on the OTA; be aware of fare class implications on points.
Cross-scenario comparison
| Traveller profile | Cheapest total | Runner-up | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo backpacker, fixed dates, no bag | Jetstar Starter | Batik Air (if available on route) | Lock in a Jetstar Frenzy or Virgin Australia sale; no bag means Jetstar's ancillary trap does not bite |
| Solo traveller with 1x 20kg bag, meal | Virgin Choice or Jetstar Starter Plus | Qantas Economy Sale | Bag pre-purchase closes the gap; Virgin Choice often lands within AUD 50 |
| Couple, 2x 20kg bags | Virgin Choice | Jetstar Starter + bag purchase | Two bags amplifies the Jetstar ancillary; Virgin's included baggage compresses gap |
| Family of 4, school-holiday August | Virgin Choice or Qantas Economy Sale | Jetstar Starter Plus (early booking) | Change flexibility matters; peak-date change fees on Jetstar erode saving |
| Frequent flyer building QFF status | Qantas Economy Sale | Jetstar Business | Direct-airline booking earns most; Business tier on Jetstar earns closer to full |
| Frequent flyer building Velocity | Virgin Choice | Direct via Virgin | Direct-airline booking earns full Velocity rate |
| Business traveller, need flexibility | Qantas Economy Flex | Virgin Flex | Full flexibility premium is worth it; change fees on Starter would exceed premium quickly |
| Honeymoon or milestone trip | Qantas or Virgin | Not Jetstar | Cabin quality, flexibility, and Frequent Flyer status pay for themselves |
| Bundled with hotel and activities | Expedia bundle (with Jetstar leg) | Trip.com bundle | Bundle discount of 10 to 20% off separate; check against live direct-airline sale |
| Bag-heavy shopping trip to Bali | Virgin Choice or Qantas Economy | Jetstar Starter + oversized bag pre-purchase | Overweight bag fees on Jetstar can be significant |
Direct-airline sale windows to watch
Jetstar Frenzy runs multiple times a year, typically 24- to 48-hour flash windows with headline Starter fares to Bali and Southeast Asia. Sign up to Jetstar Club Jetstar for member-only fares.
Virgin Australia Sale runs quarterly with a longer promotional window; Lite and Choice fares to Bali often included.
Qantas Big Sky Sale, Points Fest, Frequent Flyer Sale run periodically with member fares to Bali; Qantas Frequent Flyer members typically get earlier access.
Airline-direct sale windows almost always beat OTA-priced fares on the same route and date. If you can be flexible on booking timing, watch the airline direct newsletters (Jetstar Club Jetstar, Virgin newsletter, Qantas Frequent Flyer). If not, Skyscanner or Google Flights price-tracking lets you set alerts.
Going through ShopBack for flights, hotels and packages
On flights. Virgin Australia has its own ShopBack page. For Jetstar or Qantas fares, go through a ShopBack travel store that sells them, such as Expedia or Trip.com. Check the live rate on each store's ShopBack page before you book.
On hotels. Go through ShopBack before you book with Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia, or Trip.com; the hotel booking tracks separately from any airline booking.
On packages. Expedia and Trip.com bundle Cashback typically accrues on the total booking value; check the ShopBack merchant page for current terms.
Save on the total Bali trip through ShopBack Travel. Cashback tracks at the current published rate shown on the Booking.com page on ShopBack.
When Jetstar is NOT the right pick despite the price
- You are travelling with a bag heavier than 20kg. Bag-fee escalation on Jetstar can bring total cost above Virgin Choice fast.
- You want a meal without paying extra. Meal fees compound across the outbound and return sectors.
- You are on peak-August dates and there is any chance the trip might need to change. Change-fee risk on Starter tier is meaningful.
- You care about Frequent Flyer earn. Direct with Qantas or Virgin earns materially more per dollar spent on a comparable fare.
- The Batik Air, Singapore Airlines, or Malaysia Airlines connecting fare is competitive. Skyscanner and Trip.com surface options that Jetstar sometimes cannot match.
- You need cabin quality (long-haul comfort, quiet cabin, better service). Virgin Choice and Qantas Economy are materially different products from Jetstar Starter.
- You are booking a milestone trip (honeymoon, anniversary, family celebration). The AUD 200 to AUD 400 saving on Jetstar Starter is not worth the trade-off on service and flexibility for high-stakes travel.
Where Cashback fits
Cashback is the step after you have chosen the airline and the booking site, not the reason to choose either. Settle the Jetstar, Virgin or Qantas question on bags, meals and flexibility first, pick the site with the sharpest total on the day second, then go through ShopBack before you pay at Skyscanner, Trip.com, Expedia or Virgin Australia.
The rest of the Bali trip has ShopBack merchants too. Hotels and villas sit with Agoda and Booking.com, the Uluwatu, Nusa Penida and cooking-class bookings sit with Klook, and the Indonesia eSIM you set up before landing comes from Airalo. Check ShopBack before each of those, not just the flight.
One caution. ShopBack Cashback is a separate rebate paid by ShopBack, and this article makes no claim about combining it with Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity points, Genius or One Key tiers, card multipliers or store credit. The live rate is shown on each merchant's ShopBack page on the day.
Related: Jetstar vs Virgin vs Qantas for domestic flights and the cheapest day to book domestic flights with Jetstar, Virgin or Qantas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jetstar actually cheaper than Virgin and Qantas for Bali once bags, seats, and meals are added?
Sometimes. Jetstar Starter headline is typically cheapest by AUD 100 to AUD 300 one-way. After baggage (AUD 30 to AUD 55 each way), seat selection (AUD 5 to AUD 45), and meal (AUD 15 to AUD 25), Virgin Choice frequently lands within AUD 20 to AUD 100 of Jetstar Starter Plus total cost.
How do Velocity and Qantas Frequent Flyer points compare per dollar spent to Bali?
According to Virgin Australia, for bookings made on or after 2 April 2025, Velocity members earn 4 Velocity Points per $1 spent on eligible fares, or 5 per $1 with an eligible Velocity Points earning credit card. Qantas Points earned on Qantas and Jetstar flights to Bali depend on the fare type you book, and cheaper fare types generally earn fewer points, so check the Qantas Frequent Flyer earn calculator before you book.
Which airline has the most flexibility on peak August dates for Bali?
Qantas Economy Flex is the most flexible on changes and cancellations. Virgin Australia Flex is second. Jetstar Starter is the least flexible; change fees apply and cancellation typically non-refundable.
Which OTA surfaces the sharpest Bali fare for Australian travellers?
Skyscanner or Google Flights first for full-field aggregation. Add Trip.com for connecting fares via KUL or SIN. Webjet is competitive on direct fares.
Is it cheaper to book direct with the airline or through an OTA to Bali?
Direct-airline booking usually wins during a direct-airline sale (Jetstar Frenzy, Virgin Sale, Qantas Big Sky). Between sales, OTAs occasionally show fares AUD 20 to AUD 60 below direct. If the gap is meaningful (AUD 40+) book OTA; otherwise direct for cleanest service and full points earn.
Do OTA bundle prices beat separate airline plus hotel bookings for Bali?
Sometimes. Expedia and Trip.com bundles typically 10 to 20% off sum of separates. Bundles do not beat direct-airline sale prices; check direct first.
How does ShopBack Cashback work on flight and OTA bookings for Bali?
Open the store's ShopBack page, such as Trip.com, Expedia or Virgin Australia, and tap through before you book. Cashback tracks at the live rate shown on that ShopBack page, so check it before you pay. ShopBack Cashback is separate from Frequent Flyer points and OTA loyalty programs.
What is the total cost of a return economy Bali flight per person from Sydney or Melbourne in 2026?
Non-peak dates: Jetstar Starter return AUD 550 to AUD 900; Virgin Lite AUD 700 to AUD 1,200; Qantas Economy Sale AUD 850 to AUD 1,400. Peak dates: substantially higher.
Is Batik Air or Singapore Airlines cheaper to Bali than Jetstar, Virgin, or Qantas?
Sometimes. Batik Air can undercut Jetstar Starter by AUD 50 to AUD 200 on select dates. Singapore Airlines via SIN adds transit but suits points-heavy travellers.
Is ShopBack Travel free to use for Bali flight and hotel comparison?
Yes. Free to join at shopback.com.au/signup. ShopBack Travel Planner at shopback.com.au/travel is free.
What's the best time to book Jetstar Sydney to Denpasar flights for cheapest fare?
Book 8 to 14 weeks ahead for the international sweet spot and shift the departure to Tuesday or Wednesday. Jetstar Frenzy sale windows (24 to 48 hours, multiple times per year) typically undercut standard Starter pricing by AUD 80 to AUD 150 one-way; sign up to Jetstar Club Jetstar for member-only fare access.
How do I go through ShopBack for Jetstar or Qantas flight bookings?
Book Jetstar or Qantas fares through a ShopBack travel store that sells them, such as Trip.com or Expedia. Open that store's ShopBack page first, where the current Cashback is shown before you book, then tap through and book.
Can I earn Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity points when I book through ShopBack?
Points earn is set by each airline's Frequent Flyer program, so check the rules for your fare.
How many days for ShopBack Cashback on Bali flight bookings to be confirmed?
Cashback typically shows as pending in your ShopBack account within 3 to 7 days of a tracked booking. It converts to confirmed once the airline or OTA reconciles the ticket, usually 30 to 90 days after departure to account for change and refund windows.
Is Jetstar cheaper than Batik Air on Sydney to Denpasar direct flights?
Not always. Batik Air can undercut Jetstar Starter by AUD 50 to AUD 200 one-way on select dates, particularly outside school holidays. Compare both on Skyscanner or Google Flights, then factor in bag and seat costs before committing.
How do I use ShopBack with Trip.com or Expedia for a Bali flight booking?
Sign in on the ShopBack app or shopback.com.au, search for Trip.com or Expedia, tap the Shop Now or Activate Cashback button, then book the flight on that site. The current Cashback is shown on the store's page on ShopBack before you book.
Does ShopBack Snaps work with Bali flight bookings from Australia?
No. ShopBack Snaps is a receipt-scanning feature for eligible in-store retailers (supermarkets, pharmacies, department stores) in the Australian ShopBack app and does not apply to airline tickets. Use ShopBack's online Cashback pathway via Trip.com, Expedia, Virgin Australia, or the Travel Planner.
How do I use ShopBack to save on the airlines and OTAs in this guide?
Go through ShopBack via the ShopBack app, shopback.com.au, or the Chrome browser extension before you pay on the airline or OTA.
Should I book a Bali flight through Skyscanner, Trip.com, Expedia or direct with Virgin Australia for Christmas 2026?
Start with Skyscanner for the full-field view across Jetstar, Virgin, Qantas and Batik Air, then check Trip.com for a connecting fare via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore that sometimes undercuts the direct set in shoulder weeks. Expedia only makes sense if a flight-plus-hotel bundle beats the separate bookings. Book direct with Virgin Australia when a Choice fare with the bag included is within AUD 50 of the OTA total, because you keep full Velocity earn. Use ShopBack to compare all four on the day you pay, then click through to the winner so the Cashback tracks.
Is Virgin cheaper than Jetstar?
Virgin Australia is usually not cheaper than Jetstar on the headline fare, but it can be cheaper on total cost once you add a checked bag, seat selection and a meal. Jetstar's base fares strip those extras out, so a backpack-only traveller with fixed dates usually pays less with Jetstar. A traveller who needs a checked bag or wants room to change dates often finds Virgin's bundled fares close the gap or come out ahead, and Velocity members earn points on Virgin flights too. Compare the full cost for your actual bags and dates, not the search-results price. For domestic routes, see our Jetstar vs Virgin vs Qantas domestic comparison and cheapest day to book domestic flights guide. Check the Cashback rate on the ShopBack Virgin Australia page and activate it before you book.
Key takeaways
- Jetstar Starter wins on pure headline fare, typically AUD 100 to AUD 300 cheaper one-way to Denpasar
- Once baggage, seat selection, and meal are added, Virgin Choice often lands within AUD 20 to AUD 100 of Jetstar Starter Plus total
- Qantas Economy Sale wins on Frequent Flyer earn (5 to 10 QFF per AUD) and peak-date change flexibility
- Skyscanner or Google Flights surface the sharpest published fare across the airline field; add Trip.com for connecting Asian carriers
- Direct-airline sale windows (Jetstar Frenzy, Virgin Sale, Qantas Big Sky) typically beat OTA-priced fares on the same route
- For solo travellers with fixed dates and no bag, Jetstar Starter is the cheapest total. For families, peak-date travellers, and bag-heavy shoppers, Virgin Choice or Qantas Economy Sale often wins total cost
- ShopBack Cashback applies to most OTA bookings at the current published rate shown on each merchant page, such as Booking.com via ShopBack
Ready to book Bali? Plan the trip on Booking.com via ShopBack. Free to sign up. Takes 2 minutes.
About this section
As of 2026-07-27, prices, mechanics, sale dates, and return windows change over time; verify at time of purchase. ShopBack Cashback is subject to program terms. Airline fare tiers, baggage allowances, seat selection fees, meal inclusions, change fees, and Frequent Flyer earn rates for Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas are all subject to each airline's current schedule and change from time to time; verify at the airline's site before booking. OTA cancellation policies, bundle discounts, and loyalty programs are subject to each OTA's terms. Travel restrictions and visa policies for Bali are updated on Smartraveller Australia; check before booking. This article is intended for general informational purposes and is not financial advice.
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