Tigerair quietly raised the price of Queue Jump
Skipping the boarding line is now nearly twice as expensive.
Inevitably, when I checked out Tigerair's EOFY sale earlier this week, I ended up booking a flight. And that was how I discovered that Tigerair has recently jacked up the price for Queue Jump, its optional add-on that lets you board your flight ahead of regular customers.
Previously, Queue Jump cost $3 per flight. Now Tigerair is asking $5. That's a 66% increase.
Given that you've got an allocated seat, why would anyone pay for Queue Jump in the first place? I summed up my own reasons fairly neatly in a recent column for Escape:
Long experience of taking advantage of bargain fares has shown me that Tigerair queues bring out the worst in people. Lines merge into each other, no one knows where to go, and it's just unpleasant.
A more practical reason is to make sure you can get space in the overhead luggage compartments. While Tigerair (like all domestic airlines) checks size and weight, it's still often the case that if you board last, you'll be stuck putting your case under the seat in front of you. On a flight from Sydney to Perth, that really sucks.
The fee increase is an annoying development, but not a surprising one. I've written before about how Tigerair is trying to become profitable by charging more for fares and raising other fees. Its recent in-flight menu changes are part of the same pattern.
Of course, I ended up paying the $5 anyway. I'm still happy to pay so I don't have to queue. Your mileage may vary.
Angus Kidman's Findings column looks at new developments and research that help you save money, make wise decisions and enjoy your life more. It appears regularly on Finder.
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