Get exclusive travel offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
By signing up, you agree to the Finder Privacy & Cookies Policy and Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy.
Flight Deals
Domestic Airlines
Top International Airlines
Tips & Hacks
Top Travel Booking Sites
Travel Guides
We’re committed to our readers and editorial independence. We don’t compare all products in the market and may receive compensation when we refer you to our partners, but this does not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn more about Finder .
With no plans for the new year, I tagged on a friend’s holiday (sorry!) and set off for Melbourne for a chill and quiet one.
Even though it was at the last second, there were still numerous flights available for my dates, and being a budget traveller, I chose Tigerair as it offered the most affordable trip: $200 return flying out at 6am on a Monday morning and back by 11pm on the Wednesday.
Here's how it all went down.
Tigerair details
- Route: Sydney to Melbourne, return
- Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Flight Number(s): TT207 and TT282
- Aircraft Type: Boeing 320
- Dates Travelled: 31 December 2018 and 2 January 2019
- Class: Economy
- Frequent Flyer Program: None
- Points earned: None
Stephanie's review: ★★★★☆
- Cost: Flights were well priced for peak season dates.
- Timeliness: Flights departed relatively on time, and if they didn't, an explanation was given.
- Baggage: Tigerair is more lenient around bag checking than it lets on. Staff didn't weigh bags on my departing flight (it was only a third full). However, they did on the way back where the plane was full.
- Check-in: The website was refusing to let me change my seat, so I eventually gave in and accepted by fate in the back row. Not the best option, to be honest.
What did I like?
- Cost: I wasn't sure what to expect regarding flight prices given that I was booking flights two weeks before New Year's, but Tigerair took me for a 3-day trip to Melbourne for $200 return. While that's around double the typical Sydney-Melbourne fare, I feel it's fairly reasonable for the season.
- Empty flight on the way out: My departure flight was about a third full. I still didn't get three seats to myself, but my fellow row-traveller and I had an empty seat between us, which was pleasant.
- There was an explanation for our delay: The pilot remarked during our flight that we were going to arrive 30 minutes behind schedule due to turbulence. I don't know if this was a valid excuse, but I do know that we left on time (in fact, we were sitting on the tarmac for a while because we'd boarded so quickly) and there definitely was turbulence in the air.
- They are sometimes lenient with weighing carry-on bags. As with every Australian airline now, Tigerair weighs carry-on luggage to make sure you comply with their weight allowances. They didn't do this on departure, but I think that's because we were only one-third full so there was no need to be sticklers about it. However, my flight on the way back was full so there was a staff member at the line to board checking those bags. This was done very efficiently, and as far as I saw, only one person got pulled aside so clearly people have gotten the message about the new rules.
What didn’t I like?
- Legroom: These weren't the roomiest seats I've sat on, but it is a budget airline so it's not a big complaint.
- Check-in: This was fine on the way in, but might have been because I didn't want to change my seat. On the way back, Tigerair shafted me all the way at the very back in seat 30A beside two other passengers. When I tried to change it during check-in, it kept giving me an error. I finally gave up and accepted my seat begrudgingly.
Would I use Tigerair again?
I have no great qualms with Tigerair. They're budget and they act budget with slimline seats, a strict carry-on baggage policy and charges for any on-board entertainment or food, neither of which I purchased. Would I fly with Tigerair again? At this price and service, sure.
Tigerair flight deals and sales:
It looks like we don't have any coupons at the moment. Take a look at our most recent deals
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Extra 10% off Australia activities with code
Valid on all dates on activities like skydiving, bridge climbing, canyoning, hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flights, abseiling, cruises, tours, high tea and more. Minimum spend of $100 applies. Destinations include Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Extra $10 off site-wide with code
Valid on all dates, including over Christmas, on activities like skydiving, quad biking, bridge climbing, canyoning, hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flights, abseiling, scuba diving, cruises, hight tea and more. Destinations include Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and more. Minimum spend of $80 required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Adrenaline
Up to 63% off domestic activities
Available on select dates and activities like skydiving, hot air balloon flights, quad biking, off road v8 race buggies, scuba diving, whale watching, bridge climbing, high tea and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Groupon
Up to 75% off Australia activities + Extra up to 30% off with code
Available on select dates and activities like spas, skydiving, hot air balloon flights, tours, whale watching, skywalks, classes, high tea experiences and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and more. Maximum discount of $40. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Airbnb
Refer a friend and get a $25 Airbnb credit
Give a friend $50 toward their first stay and get $25 credit for yourself toward a future booking.
Last verified
Hotels.com
Up to 60% off Australia-wide stays + an extra 8% off with code
Available on select dates in 2020 and 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Up to 30% off Australia stays
Available on select stays until 30 June 2021. Destinations include Darwin, Sydney, Brisbane, Gladstone, Townsville, Adelaide, Glenelg and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Trip.com
Domestic flights from $123 each way
Available on select dates until December 2020 to Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Cairns and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Brisbane with Qantas Airways. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
P&O Cruises
Free room upgrade on sailings
Available on select cruises from December 2020 - September 2022. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Norfolk Island and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
DiDi
Exclusive
Free ride for Sydneysiders
Available on weekends from 17 October - 1 November 2020. Discount capped at $15. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 56% off Australia getaways
Available on stays until December 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, Brisbane, Townsville, Adelaide, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Trip.com
Up to 46% off Australia-wide hotels
Available on select dates until December 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Kayak
Australia-wide flights from $52 each way
Available on select dates until March 2021 to Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Broome, Melbourne and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina with Jetstar.
Last verified
Deal ends
Skyscanner
Jetstar sale: Northern Territory flights from $107 each way
Available on select dates until March 2021 to Darwin and Uluru. Sample fare is Brisbane-Darwin. Plus get one free date change on flights departing before 15 December 2020. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Trip.com
Up to 38% off Australia attractions and experiences
Available on select travel dates in Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Darwin, Canberra, Melbourne and more. Attractions include SEA LIFE Aquarium Sydney, Sydney Featherdale Wildlife Park, Madame Tussauds, Eureka Skydeck. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Trafalgar Tours
Up to 15% off last-minute trips
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020 and 2021. Destinations include Europe, UK, the Middle East, Argentina, India, Asia, New Zealand, Australia and Africa and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Skyscanner
Virgin Australia sale: Domestic flights from $89 each way
Available on flights from November 2020 - September 2021 to Gold Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Hobart, Newcastle, Darwin, Broome and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Ballina.
Last verified
Deal ends
Trip.com
Extra $50 off Sydney and NSW stays
Get up to 18% off plus an extra discount on stays until 18 February 2021. Destinations include Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Byron Bay, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Orange, Mudgee, Port Stephens and more. Minimum spend of $150 required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Northern Territory activities from $36 + Extra $10 off off with code
Available on select dates and experiences like sightseeing tours, zoo and wildlife experience, spas, sailings, hot air balloon flights, scenic flights and much more. Minimum spend of $80 applies. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Europcar
Exclusive
$20 off nationwide rentals
Available on rentals until 31 January 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and more. Minimum spend of $200 required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
DiDi
Exclusive
Get $20 credit
Get $5 off each of your first four rides in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Perth and Newcastle. Valid on all dates for new users. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 40% off pet friendly hotels
Available on stays until October 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 30% off last minute Australia stays
Available stays until October 2020 in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Newcastle, Rockhampton and more.
Last verified
Deal ends
Europcar
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand rentals
Available on select dates until 15 December 2020. Rental must be for 2 days or more and booked 21 days in advance. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Wotif
Up to 66% off Australia stays
Available on stays until May 2021 in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Europcar
$1/day one-way car hire in Australia
Valid on select dates for select car hire in Australia. Destinations updated regularly.
Last verified
Airbnb
Gold Coast stays from $49/night
Available on select stay dates from June 2020 onward. Sample accommodation is in Surfers Paradise. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Hotels.com
Extra 8% off on hotel bookings
Save on hotel stays before 31 December 2020 in Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Fiji, Thailand, Singapore, USA and more. Available at select hotels.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Airbnb
Melbourne stays from $50/night
Available on select stay dates from June 2020 onward. Sample accommodation is in Melbourne Central Business District. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Europcar
Up to 20% off base rate
Available on rentals until 15 December 2020 in Australia and New Zealand. Pick up on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday required to avail offer. T&Cs apply
Last verified
Deal ends
Otel.com
Extra 9% off hotel bookings
Valid on select hotel stays worldwide like Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, USA, Europe and more on all dates, including over holidays like Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Some restrictions apply.
Last verified
Rentalcars.com
Up to 20% off car hire
Compare car hire prices on Rentalcars.com and save up to 20% compared to booking direct.
Last verified
Voyagin
Up to 50% off things to do in Bali
Available on select dates. Attractions include zoo admissions, tours, water activities, treks, dinner cruise and more.
Last verified
Hotels.com
Up to 60% off Sydney stays + an extra 8% off with code
Available on select hotels and stay dates until November 2021. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Up to 32% off domestic getaway packages + an extra 10% off with code
Available on select travel dates for stays in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Canberra and more. Minimum spend of $100 required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Groupon
Up to 73% off getaways + an extra up to 30% off with code
Available for travel on select dates to Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Launceston, Newcastle, Noosa Heads, Cairns and much more. Maximum discount of $40. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
TourRadar
Up to 50% off worldwide trips
Available on select trips in 2021 to Italy, Turkey, Istanbul, Egypt, Greece, Morocco, Ireland, USA, Australia and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Cheap Flights
Australia flights from $87 return
Available on select dates until March 2021 to Gold Coast, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Launceston and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Adelaide with Jetstar.
Last verified
Deal ends
Kayak
Sydney flights from $47 each way
Available on select dates until January 2021. Sample fare departs from Avalon with Jetstar.
Last verified
Deal ends
Kayak
Brisbane flights from $74 each way
Available on select dates until March 2021. Sample fare departs from Sydney with Jetstar.
Last verified
Deal ends
Popular Travel coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 2020 | Extra 10% off Australia activities with code | RBF**** |
| 20 Oct 2020 | Extra $10 off site-wide with code | FDR**** |
| 20 Oct 2020 | Up to 75% off Australia activities + Extra up to 30% off with code | SUR**** |
| 9 Oct 2020 | Extra $50 off Sydney and NSW stays | NSW**** |
| 8 Oct 2020 | Northern Territory activities from $36 + Extra $10 off off with code | FDR**** |
Popular Flights coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Oct 2020 | Up to 12% off international flights | PAY**** |
| 9 Oct 2020 | Up to 10% off flights + extra bags | STU**** |
| 7 Oct 2020 | Thanksgiving sale: Up to $25 off flight fees | TG2**** |
| 7 Oct 2020 | Up to $10 off international flights | FLY**** |
| 7 Oct 2020 | Up to $100 off business class flights | OCT**** |
Related Posts
Ask an Expert