If you want a cheap flight, then low-cost airline Ryanair seems like a good place to start. And it is. If all you’re paying for is the flight. It’s all those added extras that push the price sky-high.
From the beginning of November, Ryanair is changing its check-in policy. As it stands, if you’re not bothered about where you sit on your flight, you can check-in online free of charge seven days ahead of your journey.
So for people going on a week’s holiday, you just print off your boarding pass at home for both legs of the trip before you leave. Job done.
But from 1 November, that check-in window will be reduced to just four days. That means Ryanair customers will have to download or print off their boarding passes abroad, or risk a hefty £45 fee to check in at the airport.
BBC
Mary Leeding from Leyland, Lancashire has told Watchdog that she is annoyed about the policy change. She says, "I don’t have access to the internet when I’m on holiday. The last thing I want to do is traipse around looking for an internet café. I don’t have a smartphone either, so I can’t download the Ryanair app and check in using my phone."
For those that do have smartphones, what if the battery runs out, or it gets lost or stolen? Or, heaven forbid, it just doesn’t work?
Panic not. Ryanair won’t leave you in the lurch. For a fee (surprise, surprise) of around £6 you can check-in more than 4 days in advance and get a seat! Mary says, "I have been left with no choice to pay £6 for a seat, which in itself isn’t a lot, but I feel like it’s just taking liberties. I don’t care where I sit."
Others have taken to social media to vent their frustration...
According to a recent report, more than half of UK passengers pinpoint hidden charges as their biggest annoyance surrounding the booking of holidays.
So how can you keep your low-cost Ryanair flight low cost?
- Book your journey online - there's a £20 fee if you’re booking over the phone.
- Check the size allowance of cabin baggage – airlines differ. If it’s too big and has to be stowed in the hold, you’ll get stung for £50.
- Check in online and print out your boarding pass or use the Ryanair app (and make sure your phone doesn’t run out of juice at the airport!). If you leave check-in until you get to the airport you’ll be forking out an extra £45 per person.
- Make sure the name on your booking is correct - there's a £110 fee to change it.
- Book your luggage in advance online – you’ll pay extra at the airport.
- Check the weight of your luggage - there's a £10 charge per kilo.
- Take a packed lunch! It’s only drinks you can’t take through.
We know it’s dull, but when you’re booking flights, read the airline’s terms and conditions and you won’t be left high and dry.
BBC
Civil Aviation Authority
Britain’s aviation regulator is conducting a review of airlines' terms and conditions. A CAA spokesperson has told Watchdog: "It is important airline ticket prices are transparent and any terms and conditions, including administration fees and charges, are fair, balanced and made clear to passengers before they book."
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What does Ryanair say?
"We are reducing the check-in period for random seat allocation to increase the choice available to customers who wish to reserve their seat onboard. For those who prefer to have their seat randomly allocated they can check-in online between four days and two hours ahead of their flight, free of charge. Customers can check-in using both Ryanair.com website and Ryanair mobile app."
If you’ve got a story you think we should investigate please email us at Watchdog@bbc.co.uk
This article was first published on Wednesday 26 October 2016
