Tiger - Moved me but have not cancelled the flight

offal spokesman on 17/10/2014 - 14:28

OK, so a bit of a rant, but also im hoping someone can explain and maybe help for the future. The story -

Booked with Tiger, Perth To Melb (and then a following flight <Jetstar> Melb to Launceston). I was booked on tiger for the 11.35pm flight which links to my Jetstar flight so we are only stuck for 90 mins in Melb.

yesterday, Tiger emailed me to say they have cancelled that flight and moved me to a 4.30pm flight which of course lands me in Melb at around midnight, leaving me 8.5 hours at the airport/in need of accom etc.

I of course told them unnaceptable as A im still at work till 5 and the 8 hours in an airport is not on. They responded with "the flight has been cancelled -see our T&Cs bad luck"

My biggest moan is, the flight is still showing on all the search sites (skyscanner, webjet etc) so WHY have i been cancelled? ( I note that the selling price currently is 2x the special price i originally purchased at).

Eventually Tiger has agreed to a refund (after pushing me to accept "Tiger credit") which by the way will take up to FOUR WEEKS to get back to me. I have since had to pay double the price to another airline to enable me to make the following flight.

So…
1) how come they can cancel me and continue to take bookings on the flight?
2) Why does it take 4 weeks to be refunded?
3) is this basically a bait and swiitch, sell me cheap flights then cancel and move me and try to get me to pay more?
4) Should/Could i have done something different to get them to cover my added costs?
5) Is this common Tiger behaviour?

Appreciate your thoughts - Thanks folks.

Travel

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Comments

  • Oddmog on 17/10/2014 - 15:20

    Far as I know the airlines in Aus get a free run to do whatever they want. Have generally been given the attitude that you're lucky if they even decide to fly at all.

    Quick google shows an advocacy service but I don't know if they have any powers.

    http://www.airlinecustomeradvocate.com.au/General/Default.as…

    If anyone knows how to chase aussie airlines for compensation would love to hear about it but as far as I know we just don't have consumer protection laws in place for delays and cancellations.

  • cypher67 on 17/10/2014 - 16:42
    +1

    Id imagine those websites showing the flight are just not updated yet. I flew with tiger and took the time to go through their T&Cs. Pretty much they reserve the right to move you to alternative flights within a certain timeframe of the previous flight and if that flight doesnt work you eligable to a refund. Why it takes 4 weeks is mystery but it is not uncommon for companies to drag feet with refunds. Should they pay for the extra expenses you may attract, I wouldnt consider myself cold but hell no. These rules are pretty standard across all carriers with you buy the economy budget tickets, if you want the luxary of changing flights with no costs or all the frosting you pay 2-3 times more. Travel insurance on the other hand will cover these extra expenses.

  • Ughhh on 17/10/2014 - 21:42
    +1

    5) Is this common Tiger behaviour?

    I'm guessing you don't read the news or read any Tiger related threads on ozb and on other forums .

  • Baysew on 17/10/2014 - 21:57

    I don't know what you paid for the flight, but it was probably to much. Tiger sold for $1, if this is any guide

  • B_S_D on 17/10/2014 - 22:35

    Tiger did the same to me for a Melbourne to Sydney flight. I was booked on a 4pm and got shifted to 6:30pm because my flight was apparently cancelled but it actually wasn't. When I called to complain they told me I could pay extra to change back to an earlier flight. Given it was only a couple of hours I decided to just let it drop. We happened to get to the airport early and it turns out the 4pm wasn't even full. They were asking if anyone wanted to catch the earlier flight but we just missed out. Will not fly with Tiger again. Sorry to say this is typical behaviour for them.

  • airzone on 18/10/2014 - 00:10

    1) how come they can cancel me and continue to take bookings on the flight?
    They may have overbooked… Or just the other places aren't updated yet.

    2) Why does it take 4 weeks to be refunded?
    They want to earn interest from your money

    3) is this basically a bait and swiitch, sell me cheap flights then cancel and move me and try to get me to pay more?
    Not really since they offered to put you on an alternate flight (and can try and pick other flights within your same price bracket)

    4) Should/Could i have done something different to get them to cover my added costs?
    Don't waste your time.

    5) Is this common Tiger behaviour?
    Yes. It's pretty much expected. You're lucky they offered a flight on the same day

  • Cheeper on 18/10/2014 - 01:00

    It is a bare bones cheap airline.
    It is just part of the game with dirt cheap tickets, anything goes.

  • pookie on 20/10/2014 - 17:30
    +1

    Yep, I booked my family to the gold coast next month, accidentally put the excess baggage cost on the wrong persons ticket, that person isn't coming. I realised my mistake and tried to simply get it switched to my ticket. Sound simple enough….LOL…no way, not with Tigerair.

    They said "no refunds, no changes, no help"

    I said I would wear the wasted ticket price but surely they could just move the excess luggage fee to my ticket??

    Not a chance in hell.

    So I just paid again on my ticket $35.

    Sure it isn't a lot of money , but geez, do they need to be so tight ??

    Should be called 'Tighter Airways"

    Pookie

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