ryanair online

From today passengers must book online and if they do not will be charged 40 pounds at check in (one way). Does anyone know if it applies to flights already booked when we couldn´t book online if we were checking in a case?

Barry & Sue

Hi Barry & Sue,

I presume you mean 'Check-In' online rather than book online.  That being the case, they wouldn't be able to introduce this retrospectively, it would apply only to bookings made as of today.

Julian

Hi,

Their website indicates it is on new bookings from 23rd May. They will then 'phase out' the check in desks.

This is direct from the Ryanair site -

So it is NEW customer bookings from 20th May - So Barry & Sue - you should be fine.

Ted

On-line check in remains free for hand lugguage only travellers, you will be charged £5 each way for checking in hold lugguage when you check in on-line (on top of the lugguage supplement).

When you don't check in on-line you will be charged £10 I believe when travveling with hand lugguage only.

£40 for when you travel with hold lugguage.

When you add up the Credit card fees, lugguage fees, on-line check in fees, ques from the moment a gate is announced, overcharged on-board beverages (double that from competitors), unsociable ground staff, rude air crew its really not our favourate airline, unless BMI baby or Monarch cannot provide he flight times or are at least 50% more expensive, I wouldn't give Ryanair another thought.

Marius/Michelle -

Some fair points, but when you can fly Gatwick to Alicante return for £40 including all charges (or even £20 as I managed once), with hand baggage only, checked in on-line, take you own sandwich/drink on board, and aren't bothered about rushing on - then I think it is pretty hard to knock! - also have never had a problem with their staff, although have heard numerous comments from others. - and of course, as they love to tell you as you land - the best on-time record in Europe - although I do always wonder why their schedule shows that it takes about 20 minutes longer to do the same route as some other airlines

I know they are not everyones cup of tea, but I would rather save my money to be able to afford a couple of pints in the Surgery when I arrive.

Ted

Yeah you are right Ted, if I can find a £20 flight I won't moan for a single moment (well maybe a bit, just for the sake of it). Hwr flights out of Stansted of Gatwick are often a hell of a lot cheaper. We fly from Birmingham or East Midlands, often on Thurs/Fri night return Sunday night. These cheap flights are not available. Probably lack of competition or the fact that there is not enough capacity cos I still have to find a flight with less then 85% capacity on the Birm/East M route to Murcia or Alicante. Monarch is not always full but they don't go as low as RA on the rates.

So often RA is just marginally cheaper, if not more expensive.. in those cases not rocket science. the aggro is not worth a tenner savings.

None of the 'No Frills' airlines are cheap unless you are able to book literally months in advance and if you're prepared to take a flight which requires being at the airport at some unearthly hour of the morning.

I've just priced up by Ryanair and EasyJet for late June from LTN, LGW & STN to both ALC & MJV and the average is £280- return for two people with suitcases but not taking up the priority boarding or insurance... That's not cheap..!!   BA's scheduled flight from LGW is only £50 more overall and a lot more civilised.

Don't disagree, that isn't cheap, but on the flip side, last week I booked 2 flights for the first week of my Son's Autumn half term - decent flight times - Saturday to Saturday, Gatwick - Alicante, £44 each (no suitcases, as have everything over there) - including priority boarding! - I checked EasyJet (£130 each - without speedy boarding) and BA (£180 each).

I think RA has its place, if I could get flights for the same price on Easyjet or BA I would use them, but thanks to RA we have a week in Spain for 1/2 term that we certainly wouldn't have taken otherwise.

Ted

I guess you have to take things on personal experience but I can't understand why people complain about Ryanair - we've never had problems. We are in the East Midlands so look to fly from East Midlands, Luton, Birmingham or even Manchester as they are all relatively easy to get to. Ryanair are consistently significantly cheaper than anyone else even taking into account all charges etc (in fact the other 'low cost' airlines aren't any better as regards hidden charges). The service has always been okay with the exception of the behaviour of a few passengers who are obviously more important than anyone else so don't feel the need to queue. You get what you see - nothing more and nothing less. Without them we'd be able to visit our place in the sun far less often !

Got to agree with Kev. We live in Derby and fly from EMA with Ryanair. Never had a problem. Yes they are ridiculously overpriced for checking bags, food etc. However we are going in June out to Murcia and back from Alicante and its cost £170 all in for 3 of us (hand luggage only, online check in etc). It would have  been cheaper still if they didn't have the odd £5 surcharge for using a credit card or debit card ( has anyone got an electron card?). If you pick your dates cleverly and book flights one way and are not afraid to use different aiports they really can't be beaten. Mind you those plastic blue and yellow seats are a bit of a strain on the old mince pies. 

Post office do a prepaid money travel card which is electron.

Small charge for putting money on to it.

Big savings as no more £5 per person per way card charge with RA.

check out post office web site or pick up leaflet from branch.

comes in £ or euros.

Tara

Set up an Electron card today from Ireland ( in euros).  www.electron.com and follow the directions.  Haven't used it yet to pay for flights but am hoping for the best!

Ethnea

I also put my travel money onto a prepaid card.  I use Caxton fx.  I get great rates.   I also used them for my PW deposits.  Very simple to load and use.

My computer's gone wonky with this forum!???!!  No idea what all the extra symbols etc are!!

I have a halifax account which is online banking only which uses an electron card.  Just before I book flights I transfer funds from my cheque account - took about 1 minute on Monday.  Been doing this for about year and a half, just waiting for RA to charge for an electron card as well.

Ethnea

Are you sure it's www.electron.com

I have gone to that and it doesnt seem right?

Glad to see everybody is trying and hopefully successfully avoiding the fees. I asked Barclays for an electron ages ago and although I know they do them for some reason they didn't seem to want to give me one. I think Barclays give elctron to children when they about 11, so I can get my son to get one in a year or so. lol. I think Abbey National might do one too,

But yes they will probably start charging to use them soon when they realise everyone has got one and they are not earning any fees. lol.

Thanks

Tara

Hi Tara

After a few glasses of wine .... apologies.  Try entropay.com.  Let me know if you have any problems

Ethnea

Hi Ethnea,

thanks, yes i know about that one, it should work ok, I think the post office one is slightly cheaper to transfer funds on to and the only difference is they actually send you a card rather than just being a virtual card.

thanks

Good Luck
Tara 

my friend and i have a barclays account in spain for our mortgage we have electron cards from them an we now use them for paying for flights and it save us that fee there is a barclays bank top of the hill we also use just as u r goin into port of mazzaron