Tinder, the find-a-match (ie: find a quick liaison) app, now has a premium version. It’s $9.95 a month for everyone, but if you’re over 30 (and likely more desperate) it’s $19.95 a month. The paid version gives a few specific benefits:

Benefit one

In the normal app, you receive potential “matches" based on geographical location. So, you can see if a potential partner is only a few miles away. You swipe right to consider them a possible match, and swipe left to discard them from your life forever.

There’s a real sense of power in that. The not-good-enough-for-the-likes-of-me buzz that gives you. The very same part of the brain that Facebook’s founder played with in his early “hot or not?" ratings of campus girls.

However… in one’s haste to discard people, a potential match may find themselves in the trash heap. Normally, there’s no way to go back. That person is lost to you forever. Now, for a low monthly fee, you can undo your rash decision, and get them back on your screen… only to reject again later (if you wish).

Benefit two

The second thing the paid option provides is simulated location matches.

No longer do you have to see people only in your area, or wait until you arrive at a new city on a business trip, to see who’s available. Now you can tell the app to pretend you’re already there, and serve up a buffet of potentials before your departure. Have them meet you at the airport. What could be better?

It’s not an app and service I’d be concerned about as much for teens, as I would be for travelling men and women. This is doubly so, if the paid version is opted for. If you’re putting out a potential $240 a year, you know you’re going to want something back for that…

- MVW