Tiger Airways cancels flights from August until further notice

Lfoggy10 on 04/06/2011 - 20:02

I just received an email from Tiger that my flights booked in October from Sydney to Brisbane were cancelled. I called up and queried what's the scoop on this and apparently this is due to an attempt to maximising flight routes (ie. profit margin) on their operations. They apologise for inconvenience caused and offered refunds.

Did anyone else have this happen to them?

This was my first experience of Tiger, booked via an online sale they had so it was fairly decent sales (but not like $1 or anything like that) but I have to say this reeks of unfair play. Advertise for cheap seats, then pull it when you discover you did the maths wrong. Not only is it inconveniencing the passenger(s) but it really is not good enough to cancel the flight and offer no other alternative (actually, I suppose they had no alternative).

I suppose I'm thankful they gave me some notice, but I can imagine the inconvenience they will cause if they had left it later with no option given to the traveller. In any case, I'm going to be very wary when booking flights with them in the future.

General Discussion

Comments

  • samfisher5986 on 04/06/2011 - 20:15

    This happens with budget airlines, I imagine it happens the most with tiger because they are the cheapest.

    • Kranbone on 05/06/2011 - 19:18

      So because they are the cheapest it gives them the right to reneg on a deal?

  • joannatan on 04/06/2011 - 21:05

    this is a bit weird. in their website they are still selling sydney to brisbane up to november

    departing from Sydney* Price Travel period
    Brisbane from $34 01 Aug 11 - 30 Nov 11
    Gold Coast from $29.95 02 Jun 11 - 08 Mar 12
    Melbourne-Avalon from $24 01 Aug 11 - 30 Nov 11
    Melbourne-Tullamarine from $29 01 Aug 11 - 30 Nov 11

    • foggy10 on 06/06/2011 - 13:19

      Well if this was the case, then it makes it even more unfair to cancel an unprofitable route and offer me no alternative flight. See the post further down - they clearly have not made any effort to place me on another flight.

      EDIT: I just went online to check, if you actually try to book they will tell you that no flights exist.

  • Ughhh on 04/06/2011 - 21:27

    Tiger airlines has been pretty infamous for cancelling flights at the last min. Theyre not very reliable, wouldnt recommend them if you've got a fully planned trip (ie. booked hotels, tours etc), might as well pay a little more with a reliable airline =\

    • joannatan on 04/06/2011 - 21:47

      it happen to me when i booked with jetstar as well, but then jetstar got more flight than tiger.

  • Kranbone on 04/06/2011 - 21:57
    +1

    Ask them if they can reschedule for a later or earlier flight?

    Disgusting behaviour though. Tell them if they cancel on you, they have to pay a cancelling fee. If they refund you on card, they also have to pay a card fee. If they talk to you on the phone, they have to pay a fee for that too.

    If they don't dish out, explain how hypocritical they are and speak to a consumer affairs show. I'd love it if they got a taste of their own medicine.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/06/2011 - 23:04

      Like the concept about like for like, but charging for talking on the phone, may just mean they dont talk to you as it costs them money.. a little self defeating if you want to talk with them

      • Kranbone on 05/06/2011 - 09:40

        Sometimes to book certain things on the phone they charge fees, hence that's where it comes from :)

        I think it's incredibly hypocritical that a company like Tiger wants to move to goalposts further when the other team has the ball.

        • [Deactivated] on 05/06/2011 - 10:09
          +1

          Sorry I wasn't meaning to be over serious, I understand your argument, just that in reality justice often resides with those who can be bothered to employ the best lawyer, rather than whats fair. (so read MONEY)

          And consumer affairs shows only promote what makes the media mogul money (thru ratings) rather than whats fair…

        • Kranbone on 05/06/2011 - 13:52

          Yeah I think it sucks when the little guy gets screwed because it's not feasible to the large company.

          There should be rules in place. It's a shame if the highest paid lawyer would win, rather than the principle of the matter.

        • samfisher5986 on 05/06/2011 - 16:02

          Kranbone, there is no way for the customer to win.

          If you force airlines to fly out infeasible flights and whatever your other demands are, the prices will simply go up.

          If the prices go up, I'm unsure what the point of all that effort was as there are currently more expensive flights who do not regularly cancel infeasible flights.

          So what exactly do you hope to achieve?

        • Kranbone on 05/06/2011 - 19:17

          Samfisher5986, I think there is a way for the customer to win.

          What has happened is unfair. I'm sure they can recredit him and find a mutual solution that works out for both of them. Quite often airline companies charge you to reschedule, but when they do it they want to get off with a "Sorry we're cancelling this cause it's not feasible" without giving some form a solution is pathetic.

          What can be achieved is a mutual solution that suits the customer. Surely tiger doesn't want whatever is left of the reputation to sink even further.

        • samfisher5986 on 05/06/2011 - 19:21

          I'm sure Tiger knows what they are doing.

          Any solution has to be one where they won't lose any money.

          Don't you think they know how to keep their costs low better then everyone here?

        • Kranbone on 06/06/2011 - 02:45
          +1

          Whilst money plays a big factor it isn't always the only factor. It obviously doesn't look good for Tiger to reneg on something like this because it does inconvenience a large group of people.

          While they may say money, it will further hurt their reputation? By doing that, certain customers may be less likely to fly them in the future.

          I guess we will have to agree to disagree but I feel for every decision made, there are often consequences whether they are positive, or negative.

          peace

  • gstfree on 06/06/2011 - 13:00

    If you only fly once or twice every year, why not pay a little bit more to fly with a more reliable airline to save you from dramas?

    When you fly with a airline, you should consider its price, safety, convenience and reliability.

    • foggy10 on 06/06/2011 - 13:17
      +1

      Yes, reliability of the flight actually being delayed entered my mind, but not entirely cancelled with no alternatives. This is what they actually wrote:

      ps. I just realised they even have spelling mistakes in their notification!

      TEMPORARY ROUTE SUSPENSION

      Dear PASSENGER NAME,

      Tiger Airways has recently announced the outcome of a network review and a decision has been made to temporarily cease operations on your chosen route

      Your flight booked under reservation BXXXXX, has been cancelled.

      We do apologise for any disruption caused to your travel plans. As a valued customer, we are committed to doing what we can to minimise any inconvenience and to assist you to make alternate travel arrangements if you wish to.

      We have endeavoured to communicate this information to you as soon as possible.

      We will endeavour to process a full refund for your flight(s) to the original form of payment within 30 working days. If you booked via a third party or travel agent, your refund may be processed through them.

      The below passengers travelling in your party must also be advised as soon as possible

      Lastname, Firstname

      At this stage, aside from acknowledging this notification, NO further action is required from you. We will be processing a refund directly to you and your patience is appreciated.

      Kindly acknowledge this notification by clicking on the link below.

      CLICK HERE TO ACKNOWLOEDGE

      WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO NOW?

      Nothing at all. In order for us to operate a low cost business model, our standard response time is generally around six to eight weeks, however in recognition of the disruption caused, we are committed to ?fast tracking? your refund as soon as possible.

      Note: Our booking system processes the flights and other additional options you may have purchased (such as checked baggage for example) at different times. As a result, if you check your booking on our website before the process is complete, you may only see a partial refund relating to your air fare only. Please be assured that you will receive a FULL refund in one payment back to the original form of payment in due course.

      Once again we do apologise and hope to see you on board again in the future.

      Yours faithfully
      Reservations Team
      Tiger Airways

      • [Deactivated] on 06/06/2011 - 15:14

        DANGER are you absolutely sure this is from TIGER airlines?

        The click here to acknowledge sends shivers up my spine

        • bluedufflecoat on 06/06/2011 - 15:23

          Virgin asks you to "click here" as well, whenever they send a notification about a change in flight times.

        • foggy10 on 06/06/2011 - 15:43
          +1

          It's from Tiger Airways. When you click through it does nothing but say thanks for acknowledging. Does not ask for anything else. Hard to spoof the initial email anyway as it has all the names and flight booking numbers correct.

  • eug on 10/06/2011 - 17:06
    +2

    My friend booked a MEL to BNE ticket a while back at a non-sale price. His flight is tomorrow at 6am. He got a call today at about 11am saying his ticket has been cancelled "due to overbooking".

    My own bne to syd ticket got cancelled at the same time as the OP.

    I'll probably stay away from tiger from now on.

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