would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise profit?

[joyvee]

I flew Mel BNE return at end of October. Prior to this I had not had any problems with Tiger. Had to wait about an hour in MEL prior to take off - this was OK as I had no critical connections to make.

I have booked another flight departing BNE at 14.20 in December. Today I was told that I now have a change and will be boarding flight to MEL at 20.10. This is a bugger as it will not arrive back in MEL till 23.35 and even if I get Skybus I will not be able to get connecting suburban train home. Will have to catch a taxi. I am not happy.

Can't help but wonder if the 14.20 is still flying but they have more full paying passengers who want that flight and so my cheaper ticket $172 return has been moved to later less popular flight.

I have flown on about a dozen tiger flights and this is the first unhappy event I have encountered but it is sufficient to make me consider not flying with them again. It will cost me $178 to fly back at a reasonable time.

Am I being cynical or do they know that the plane will not be able to load at 14.20? JoyV

 

[opusman]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

You didn't specify the date but, picking a date at random (13/12), Qantas have a flight from BNE-MEL at 14:00 for $179. I'd be asking Tiger for a refund and rebooking with Qantas if it were me.

 

[ashleyn]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

i flew mel bne return at end of october. Prior to this i had not had any problems with tiger. Had to wait about an hour in mel prior to take off - this was ok as i had no critical connections to make.

I have booked another flight departing bne at 14.20 in december. Today i was told that i now have a change and will be boarding flight to mel at 20.10. This is a bugger as it will not arrive back in mel till 23.35 and even if i get skybus i will not be able to get connecting suburban train home. Will have to catch a taxi. I am not happy.

Can't help but wonder if the 14.20 is still flying but they have more full paying passengers who want that flight and so my cheaper ticket $172 return has been moved to later less popular flight.

I have flown on about a dozen tiger flights and this is the first unhappy event i have encountered but it is sufficient to make me consider not flying with them again. It will cost me $178 to fly back at a reasonable time.

Am i being cynical or do they know that the plane will not be able to load at 14.20? Joyv

lcc = lcc = lcc

 

[joyvee]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

Thanks , opusman, but I severely doubt that Tiger will give refunds even if I play the "little old lady" card. Think under their terms and conditions they can do whatever they like. BTW you were spot on with the date .
Ashelyn - I know it is a risk but up till now it has been fantastic. Think Virgin now have a major interest in Tiger.

 

[JohnK]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

Thanks , opusman, but I severely doubt that Tiger will give refunds even if I play the "little old lady" card.

Actually 6 hours is a considerable difference and makes you out of pocket considerably more and I believe in Australia they would be obliged to offer a full refund.

 

[eric2011]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

Thanks , opusman, but I severely doubt that Tiger will give refunds

If that date was spot on you at least have plenty of time. Youve at least got to try otherwise its a waste of time complaining about the inconvienience and extra cost

 

[MH_fan]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

I will never ever fly Tiger. Even if they pay me.

 

[BAM1748]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

I seriously doubt Tiger will do anything, why would they, they have your money already and have offered to fly you on the same day.

But you should give it a go; do let us all know what happens.

Matt

 

[eric2011]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

I will never ever fly Tiger. Even if they pay me.

+1. We all have our horror stories and all know others who have had troubles....yet they still continue to fly. Must be one of the few companies who dont need to offer good service, good experiances etc to stay in business.
How many other businesses can you continueosly stick your finger up the backside of your customers and still have enough to continue operating, all be it in a slightly diminishing capacity as original

 

[serfty]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

Actually 6 hours is a considerable difference and makes you out of pocket considerably more and I believe in Australia they would be obliged to offer a full refund.

If that date was spot on you at least have plenty of time. Youve at least got to try otherwise its a waste of time complaining about the inconvienience and extra cost

Agree with the latter and I am confident regarding the former.

Have you checked the TT Conditions of Carriage?

 

[harvyk]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

I'd ask for a refund, moving a flight around by that much this far out is grounds for a refund (don't let them say it's not or point you to the T&C's).

As others have said, TT is the pinnacle of an LCC...

+1. We all have our horror stories and all know others who have had troubles....yet they still continue to fly. Must be one of the few companies who dont need to offer good service, good experiances etc to stay in business.
How many other businesses can you continueosly stick your finger up the backside of your customers and still have enough to continue operating, all be it in a slightly diminishing capacity as original

Companies which focus solely on price can get away with bad service because they know their customers are either

A. Unable to afford a better company with better class of service
B. Can afford a better company with a better class of service but would rather save the dollars for something else, thus price is king over anything else.

I would strongly suspect that TT has done some research to work out exactly how low they can sink and how far they can push their customers before their customers say "enough is enough" enmass

 

[BAM1748]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

Agree with harvyk, basically Tiger is the lowest form of airline.

 

[knasty]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

Consider using Jetstar price beat wherever possible vs Tiger. Lesser of two evils and normally has more frequent services to help alleviate operational issues.

 

[serfty]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

You didn't specify the date but, picking a date at random (13/12), Qantas have a flight from BNE-MEL at 14:00 for $179. I'd be asking Tiger for a refund and rebooking with Qantas if it were me.

... BTW you were spot on with the date ....

I have just looked and TT are selling a 14:20 flight BNE-MEL on Friday 13th December for $119.95.

You should be able to go back to you original flight.

---

Failing that (?!?!)

Agree with the latter and I am confident regarding the former.

Have you checked the TT Conditions of Carriage?

Tigerair
10.2 Cancellation, Changes Of Schedules
At any time after a booking has been made we may change our schedule, cancel, terminate, divert, postpone, reschedule or delay any flight. Subject to the consumer guarantees referred to in Article 2.4, the options outlined here are the sole and exclusive remedies available to you and we shall have no further liability in this respect.
...

In the event of such changes to the schedule (including cancellations) due to circumstances within our control, the Passenger may elect to:

• be carried at the earliest opportunity on another of our scheduled services to the same destination on which space is available without additional charge including, where necessary, extension of the validity of your booking; or
• retain the value of your fare in a credit account for your future travel provided you re-book within six (6) months there from; or
• receive a refund in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.

...

11.3 Proper Person/Mode Of RefundIn the event that we make a refund, it shall be made in the same mode of payment as was originally made and to the person who paid for the booking. We may require proof of identification and payment.

 

[Simo]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

I would complain as 6 hours means that you would miss work or other engagements so IMHO they have to give you a refund.

I would be contacting them now and not waiting until day before as that could cause issues anyway.

See if JQ flies and then do a price match.

 

[harvyk]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

It should be noted that should you wish to ask for a refund, they must provide a refund. It is illegal for them to say "we can only give you credit".
That's not to say they won't try and only give you credit.

Also keep in mind that TT's refund process can take 6 to 8 weeks.

 

[fersea]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

I think they have a policy where if your flight is rescheduled by more than 4 hours (as opposed to a 4 hour delay) they give you a refund. Having said that, I would be surprised if they took you off a flight that is still operating.

 

[joyvee]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

Thanks everyone and Serty thanks for that confirmation. I have just compiled a doc with all terms and conditions and the only problem I have it getting through to them. Was on hold for 27 mins before it timed out and now cannot get either MEL or SYD numbers to respond. maybe i should phone Singapore on Voip phone.

they also sent a first email saying "We haven't heard from you and we thought you might have overlooked the notification we last sent about the changes to your flight schedule." Just love the spin
Here are your new flight details:!!!!

Will keep on persevering. My flight was Wednesday 11 Dec originally depart at 14.20. How could they know so far in advance that I have to change this flight unless it was to maximize profit? have just tried a dummy booking and that flight for the 14.20 is not showing up at all so maybe it is withdrawn?

 

[harvyk]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

How could they know so far in advance that I have to change this flight unless it was to maximize profit? JoyV

I would be surprised if that was the reason. If an airline cancels a flight to maximize profit they tend to do so once it becomes clear that the flight will not be full. At a month out, they can not tell that yet. I was going to say something along the lines of aircraft has become serviceable, but if that was the case, I would imagine it would be repaired well within a month. The other thought is it could be overbooked, but even if they have overbooked the flight, that only becomes an issue on the day.

Of course it could just be a schedule change. I don't know if TT have planes with different seating capacities or not, but a change of plane seating capacity could also cause this problem.

 

[mannej]

Re: would TIGER move cheap Y passengers to later inconvenient flight to maximise prof

Harvyk, hasn't it already been pointed out that the original flight is still for sale?