Affected Tiger Passengers - The cost or mending broken plans or don't go

[ethernet]

Should MEL-CNS passengers bail out now Tiger is grounded?

I am yawning at the alternatives on offer, and thinking special of the day of Friday deal may be better for destination and time insensitive budget folk. I am leaning to don't go rather than paying shoulder 'ish level fares having foregone my book ahead >5 months advantage.

I paid with a airfares on a debit card carrying no insurance, but the Hotel and car is reserved with Cwth Gold Visa. I've yet to work out if Cwth Gold Visa Card travel will give me anything.

The alternative airfares on offer seem a tad high relative of the normal price of forward bookings, at least for 'impulse' buys. My 23rd departures have be cancelled :evil: This is AFTER school holidays, so I would expect better.

I had MEL-CNS booked for $200 return + extras 5 months ago. Some vultures got em for $99 + 0.01 for the return leg. I had a carer and Elderly parent booked for $100 flight is now $209-$250 each way. No big deal, but for 3 days of sunshine not a goer (<$129-140 is a fair marker point)

I think Virgin and to a lesser extent JQ are fairly decent, but I can see a lot of self funded retirees baulking.
I think Tiger is still 'orrible as they say sorry, but are not saying 'we will remember you, and really look after you when you re-book after we resume flying.

To rub wounds in, I rang NAB travel insurance, and the operator was explaining NAB cards don't cover financial collapse of the operator - a rather novel interpretation at this point. That will certainly hurt the 'credit note' offer from Tiger hot on the heels of a bookstore 'gift voucher' job.

IF Tiger get back into the air, there will be cracker deals from day 1, matchable by JQ and probably the others will chime in to put the boots in. I have waited 6 months, so another month won't hurt me, but is is going to hurt CNS - and Adelaide is sensing change.

 

[Justchecking]

Most travel insurance doesn't cover anything to do with the airline cancelling a service, from mechanical faults, insolvency etc anyway. Even if you were insured no insurance would help you at this point. Especially as Tiger have publicly stated they intend to refund flights or reschedule. If you will lose less by cancelling sooner rather than later then I would do so. There is no guarantee that Tiger will be able to honor your ticket. But if you lose the same no matter what then why not wait and see. Btw $100 each way on that sector is an exceedingly low price and what the other airlines are charging is closer to reality. I know it seems high compared to your original fare, but it's not exactly gouging.

 

[ethernet]

NEWSFLASH: GROUNDED TO AND INCLUDING 17 JULY?

Virgin has just changed their affected Tiger prices, removed Cairns, and offers replaced up to an including 17 July, and nothing after that.

I called my hotel at Cairns to cancel, and they tell me they have had waves of cancellations, the gut reaction of afflicted pax was 'cancel the lot' so thats what most are doing it seems.

I booked after school holidays for exactly that reason - I have lost my non-peak advantage,
and the other carriers are offering fares around $140 early August vs $250ish now.
After that, my initial reaction was luke warm to cold.

Looks like some fine-tuning is going on, and possibly some anticipation how to put the boots in. If my party does travel, then any 'we are back and flying high' fares will be worthless to me and others.

 

[leemin]

I booked after school holidays for exactly that reason - I have lost my non-peak advantage, and the other carriers are offering fares around $140 early August vs $250ish now.

You have not lost your off-peak advantage. One way fares MEL-CNS with DJ during school hols have been about $400 since before Tiger's issues.

the other carriers are offering fares around $140 early August vs $250ish now.

All off-peak periods are not equal.

MEL-CNS is my regular holiday flight to visit family, so I know the price patterns quite well. At short notice, $250 each way is not too bad. It is possible to pick up fares for around the $140 mark, but these are usually for a couple of months in advance. $200 is the 'normal' price.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Awesom Andy]

If you can cancel your hotel booking without penalty, then cancelling is probably the better option. I believe most car rental companies offer free changes/cancellations as well.

 

[ethernet]

'Especially as Tiger have publicly stated they intend to refund flights or reschedule'

I have never heard of the reschedule bit - and its not in the bulk email they are sending. My email says "As a result of your flight being affected by the cancellation, we can provide either a full refund or a credit to fly with us later"

I would be interested in re-scheduling - but not a credit. If Tiger was genuine about rescheduling - it has done an appalling press statement. I take it as here's you money - but no hey, we'll treat you right when we are back.

They are not making promises (might be legal) and they are sticking to hollow platitudes. Here is their chance to be decent - but nothing.

My hotel operator was decent and it seems I have escaped that cost. Virgin extended Cairns offer to the 17th - so I though hey - maybe they know something. The the fact is I called the deal off, as I don't accept the alternatives.