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We recently booked a trip to Spain, which was for 4 weeks and flew via Ryanair. Even though I am a seasoned flyer and know most of the cons, it does seem you are constantly on a learning curve with respect to the latest Ryanair con and all their extra charges.
We have been flying to Spain for some years and as is law for children to sit in a child seat for the hire car we have always carried the car seat with us. Previously with most other airlines they will transport the car seat for free but not Ryanair! Apparently if the child is over 5 they charge 20 each way for the car seat - so that's the first hit on the wallet!
I was also aware of the online booking charges and normally print out both the outbound and return boarding passes in advance. However, as we were going on this trip for more than 15 days and there is a restriction that boarding passes have to be printed, BETWEEN 15 DAYS before flying, and up to within FOUR HOURS of take-off, it was only possible to print one for our outbound leg and not the return.
Unfortunately the villa we were staying at was in the Campo (countryside) and although I could get online with my mobile via my mobile operator we did not have access to a printer, nor was there a cyber-cafe anywhere close.
I knew I could still check in online via my mobile device and did so within the designated time slot thinking that at least I had fulfilled this part of the requirement, even if I could not actually print out our boarding passes. On arrival at the Ryanair check-in area, we had to pay an extra charge of 120 (40 per person) because even though we had checked in we could not print our booking passes within the required time slot. This seems to be a ploy guaranteed to net in more covert charges to the unwary - or in my case naive as to this crucial 'procedure'.
BE WARNED! Make sure you print your boarding passes or you'll be subject to these extortionate charges! (oh and apparently it has to be on A4 paper!) Surely this is bordering on criminal extortion? Ryanair need to be jumped on from a height and brought to order.
By: John
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I thought you cycled because it is "good for the environment"?
Easyjet are far superior and I've only had one issue with with a change of flight time in which they changed the flight with no problems (and I've probably flown with them 50 times).
Flyglobespan were terrible both times I used them so refused to use them as I assume others did and have since gone bust.
Been flying regularly for more than a decade now with many different airlines and I've yet to experience any major screw-ups, outside the odd delay here and there. But I've probably just been lucky :-)
Not only this, but some of Ryanair's business practices are questionable and their attitude towards customers when something does go wrong is despicable.
I don't think there's a big difference between Ryanair and other lowcost airlines, or even with economy flights on the traditional airlines to be honest. I find that none are particularly comfortable or enjoyable so I wouldn't say I'm happy flying with Ryanair. It's just a means to an end for me, as it is whenever I fly :-)
If of course you are one of those individuals who has such low standards that you are happy to fly on Ryanair, then good luck to you.
Customers will also be charged £2 for withdrawing money from cash machines, and £4 if they try to get cash out over the counter.
From November 1, the new prepaid card the only way to avoid a £6 each way charge per person per flight when booking with Ryanair. Previously, customers could use any prepaid Mastercard to avoid the charges.
Unlike a debit card, a prepaid card has to be loaded with money in advance before being used to pay for things and is estimated to be held by only 5pc of the population.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has proposed that charges for paying by debit card should be banned, prior to Ryanair introducing the new card.
It sounds like a good service and airports here may be forced to consider it if our weather keeps getting worse. Mind you, they seem to enjoy putting their customers to as much inconvenience as possible, under the guise of "security".
Carpe Diem.
I found the airport as I was checking something for a friend who is going to Germany for a long stay later this year.
Her little girl was looking with me and said " you can leave your glubbies!". It means gloves - sorry I could not resist, it was so sweet.
I don't know how helpful it will be to Grumpyoldwoman unless she moves to Germany though! Perhaps she can use the information to suggest it to her local airport? Apparently the coat check service is not at all uncommon in Germany or Canada, but I am not sure if hanging facilities are usually offered.
Freddie
I don't fly for pleasure though, I do it for work and to be honest although I suspect it is very polluting I don't know how much but let's face it, it isn't helping.
I'm actually sick of airports this year!