Tiger Airways, operating as Tigerair, is a low-cost airline based in Singapore, with a network covering destinations in Asia and Australia through partnerships like Tigerair Australia (now ceased) and Tigerair Taiwan. The missed flight policy is governed by their Conditions of Carriage and applicable regulations, such as EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU and Australian Consumer Law for flights involving Australia. Below is an overview of what happens and your options when you miss a Tiger Airways flight, based on available information. Note that Tigerair Australia ceased operations in August 2020, and its policies are no longer applicable; for those flights, refer to Virgin Australia’s policies. This overview focuses on Tigerair Singapore and Tigerair Taiwan.
No-Show Policy
If you miss a Tiger Airways flight without notifying the airline at least two hours before departure, you are considered a "no-show." This results in the forfeiture of the ticket value, as most fares are non-refundable, and subsequent flights in your itinerary, such as return or onward flights, may be canceled, as the airline treats the itinerary as a single contract. Note: Tigerair reserves the right to cancel your reservation and deny boarding if you do not comply with check-in deadlines, with no compensation provided.
- Notification: To avoid no-show penalties, contact Tiger Airways at least two hours before departure via their Customer Contact Centre, website, mobile app, or airport counter. Prompt notification may allow rebooking or preserve the validity of remaining flight segments.
- Fees: No-show results in the loss of the ticket value for non-refundable fares. Rebooking requires purchasing a new ticket at the applicable fare, with no additional no-show fee specified. Flexible fares, if available, may allow changes with a fee, subject to fare rules.
- Impact on Itinerary: Missing a flight may lead to the cancellation of the entire reservation, including connecting or return flights, unless you notify the airline to confirm travel on subsequent flights.
Rebooking Options
If you miss a flight due to reasons within your control, rebooking is possible but subject to availability and fare rules. You can manage changes through the Tiger Airways website, mobile app, Customer Contact Centre, or airport counter. Additional charges may include:
- Change Fee: Most fares are non-refundable, requiring a new ticket purchase at the current fare. If the fare allows changes, a fee per person per flight applies, plus any fare difference. Name changes are permitted at least two hours before domestic flight departures and four hours before international flights, subject to a fee.
- Fare Difference: You must pay any difference between the original fare and the new flight’s fare. No refund is provided if the new fare is lower.
- Standby: Tiger Airways does not explicitly offer a standby policy for missed flights. If you arrive at the airport after missing your flight, you must purchase a new ticket for the next available flight, subject to availability.
If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay caused by Tiger Airways, and both flights are on the same booking, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight at no additional cost, as required by EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU. They may also provide meals, accommodation, or transport for significant delays within their control. For separate bookings or self-transfers, Tiger Airways is not responsible for missed connections, and you must purchase a new ticket. If you have a Flight Combo, you must clear customs and immigration and check in again for the second flight, as these are treated as separate bookings.
Compensation and Refunds
Refunds or compensation for missed flights are limited due to Tiger Airways’ low-cost model:
- Non-Refundable Tickets: Most fares are non-refundable, and missing a flight results in the loss of the ticket value. No credits are issued for no-shows.
- Refundable Tickets: Flexible fares, if available, may allow cancellations or changes before departure with a fee, subject to fare rules. Refunds are processed to the original payment method.
- 24-Hour Cancellation Rule: For bookings to or from the U.S., you can cancel within twenty-four hours of purchase for a full refund, regardless of fare type, if booked at least seven days before departure. This does not apply to missed flights but can prevent no-shows if you anticipate missing the flight.
- Airline-Caused Delays: If you miss a connecting flight due to a Tiger Airways delay within their control and arrive three or more hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 for flights departing from the EU, ranging from one hundred twenty-five euros to six hundred euros, depending on flight distance. You may also request a refund for the unused ticket portion or rebooking without fees. Submit claims via the airline’s website or Customer Contact Centre.
- Airport Taxes and Fees: If you miss a flight, you can request a refund for government-imposed taxes, subject to an administration fee. For Tigerair Australia flights booked before its closure, a refund of approximately fifty Australian dollars for taxes was possible under Australian Consumer Law in specific circumstances, such as serious illness or death of a traveler.
- Name Changes: As an alternative to losing the ticket value, Tiger Airways allows name changes for a fee, enabling you to sell your ticket to another traveler through platforms like SpareFare, recovering some costs.
Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight
If you miss your flight, follow these steps:
- Contact Tiger Airways immediately via their Customer Contact Centre, website, mobile app, or airport counter to explore rebooking options or confirm travel on subsequent flights.
- Review your ticket’s fare rules on the Tiger Airways website to understand applicable fees and refund eligibility.
- If the missed flight was due to an airline-caused delay, submit a compensation or refund request via the airline’s website or Customer Contact Centre, providing your booking reference and supporting documents like receipts or boarding passes.
- For tickets purchased through a travel agent, contact the agent directly for changes or refunds, as verification may be required.
- Check in online between seventy-two hours and one hour before departure, as check-in counters close forty-five minutes before scheduled departure (one hour for flights in India), and boarding gates close twenty minutes before departure. Failure to meet these deadlines results in forfeiture of your seat with no compensation.
Additional Information
For flights departing from the EU, if you miss a connecting flight due to a Tiger Airways-caused delay and arrive three or more hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, provided the delay was within the airline’s control (e.g., technical issues or staffing). Compensation is not provided for extraordinary circumstances, such as weather or air traffic control issues. Customer reviews on platforms like ProductReview and Reddit highlight significant issues with Tiger Airways’ customer service, including poor communication, high fees for changes, and unhelpful staff during disruptions like missed flights or cancellations. For example, passengers have reported being diverted to unintended destinations without assistance, incurring extra costs for accommodation or transport, or facing delays in refund processing. Tigerair Taiwan operates independently and may have slightly different policies; check their website for specifics. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the Tiger Airways or Tigerair Taiwan website or contact their Customer Contact Centre.
