Ryanair-Questions, comments, bouquets & brickbats (Merged)

[frnikolai]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, it all makes sense! Still it is unfair that even when traveling with adults - you still have to pay the un-needed airport check-in.

I'll still fly with them, just annoying about the extra charges. Like £30 to check a bag in? That is very expensive!

I'm just a Polish man - who is not at all rich!!!

Nikolai.

[goatface]

I enquired with my bank (Nationwide) as to why some companies (such as Ryanair) don't charge for customers using Electron cards.
The (under the counter) response was that the Electron account is comparatively cheap for banks to administer because the card is generally provided to people who have difficulty getting an ordinary current account. The rules applied to most, but not all customers are simple - no overdrafts or credit but it means that such folk can use their cards to buy on line or electronically at retail outlets.
The banks charges to retailers for using Electron vary according to what other volume of business the retailer gives the bank using other cards, in Ryanair's case, (and other such large companies) it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the bank don't charge Ryanair anything for accepting Electron.

That said, with the current economic problems being what they are, I was told that if the volume of Electron business adversly affected other credit/charge card profit, they'd have no option to charge retailers and those charges would be passed on to customers.

[EI-BUD]

Why no fees with Electron?

I enquired with my bank (Nationwide) as to why some companies (such as Ryanair) don't charge for customers using Electron cards

Ryanair will need to keep 1 card on the list that is no fee to ensure that paying a fee is 'optional' and without this it is likely that the lead in fare would be required to include the credit card fee.

What does anyone else think?

As regards the electron being low fees ie in terms of handling fees/charges to the airline, this is irrelevant as €10 on a return trip has no relationship to the fees paid by the airline to the bank. A company like airline would be charged not more than 1% credit card charges on ticket prices, so if the average fare is say €45, this represents a charge of 45c (ie 1% fee).

Happy New year to all on pprune. Have a good one!

EI-BUD

[davidjohnson6]

Ryanair could always switch the "If you use this card, there's no fee" scheme from Electron to any of the following:

Discover - based in the USA
JCB - based in Japan and Korea
UnionPay - based in China
Dankort - based in Denmark, although there might be too many Danes holding this.
Centurion - otherwise known as Amex Black which has an annual fee of US$2,500

Even if something like UnionPay is chosen, it'll take at least a year before the EU or national Govt will issue any kind of formal objection

[davidjohnson6]

Summer seats - realistic fares

I know that FR have released seats for booking for the summer season. However, comparins different weeks, the fares seem suspiciously similiar. I am inclined to think that rather than hockey-stick-shaped fares, I'm looking at a U-shape instead.

The merits, of hockey v U aside, anyone know when summer fares will start to become differentiated between dates and thus more realistic ?

[ExpatChris]

Electron

Another way re Electron is to open an account at www.entropay.com.

This is a precharged card internet based and you load it from any account you wish.

Set it up in sterling and when you are asked for card detials but number given in and for name Entropay and address the company address in London.

Result classed as Electron no fees and easy to set up lot better than a new bank account.

It does work trust me I do it for all my flights along with friends and family saved hundreds

[PAXboy]

davidjohnson6

anyone know when summer fares will start to become differentiated between dates and thus more realistic ?

When the computer records that enough people have booked or have not booked, at the fare levels programmed into it.

It is likely that FR would run an automated review once a month, decreasing as departure dates approach, and if the combination of computer algorithm, managerial experience and corporate financial targets determine that a change to stated rates would bring in more money - then the summer fares will change. It really is that simple.

[frnikolai]

Thank you - I will have to get myself an Electron! I have an Abbey bank near me. So I will get one, but realistically - I would say 90% pay by credit card.

I am more fussed with the £20 check-in fees, but what I don't understand is that it gives you the option, just that when you select it. It informs you that you can't do it! It would be easier to just automatically change - it does with priority boarding.

I'm not sure now how Ryanair can be cheaper anymore!!! Unless the total price actually is less than a competitor (inc bags/checkin/card charge)

Does anyone at Ryanair say that even with these charges they are STILL cheaper?

Thanks & Happy New Year!

Nikolai.

[PAXboy]

Hi frnikolai, yes it can be very frustrating. Over time, people have got used to seeing an advertised price and then paying it. This airline has been the first to break that rule - although they comply with regulations. The only option now is to start a booking and take it all the way to 'CONFIRM' and see what the bottom line is - and then change your mind. I now do this with some mainline carriers too.

It is business in the 21st Century and the younger generations who are starting to travel for the first time will think it normal. As indeed it is.

Safe Journey!

[davidjohnson6]

Very annoying this - waiting ages while all the stupid mugs to pay up for high fares tickets, before some bod or the computer realises that it needs to let the bargain hunters get their pound of flesh.

I've got data from the last few years saying how low fares for particular routes on certain dates are likely to fall - just haven't got the data saying how long in advance the fares hit rock bottom.

Guess I'll have to write one of those automated evil screenscrapers instead !

[frnikolai]

Hi.

I know! They are in business to make money - and they do.

I have only a few time got flights under £50. And those were around 2000-2002. But in October half-term (thats what my younger brother and sister said it was called) I got tickets to take them to Scotland for £60 - 3 return no bags. Plus £24 card charge - £84. Still very good!

I just want the cheapest ticket - as long as they are safe I don't really mind!

Nikolai.

[Icare9]

It is often worth looking at flights a few days earlier or later than you initially select. We looked at going to Spain in early March and whichever airline and routes selected, all came out around £120 for 2 returns once all the fees and taxes included. Whilst not expensive, we then accidentally found Ryanair offering £15 all in a couple of days earlier, so have the flights for £60. Had we an Electron card we would have avoided the £5 per person per flight surcharges amounting to another £20. We don't need hold luggage and will refrain from food or drink purchases (when will they learn that a little from the many is better than a lot from a few?). Once the summer schedules come in, then we will probably return to our favoured carrier and route, but in the meantime we have a break "on the cheap" that we would possibly not have taken at the higher prices due to inconvenient airports and times.

[stevef]

Went to a certain British airport today to see my girlfriend off on an international Ryanair flight. I was told to use the check-in machines, not the desk. The machine refused to complete the transaction after I entered the required details. I then informed the floating Ryanair check-in assistant that the machine wouldn't work.
Her response - 'YES it does.' She then turns her back on me.
I managed to attract her attention a minute later and told her again that the machine wouldn't complete the transaction. No offer of assistance - I was just told to speak to the Excess Baggage payments desk. The assistant there was more helpful and wrote a note that the check-in staff should book in my partner manually.
I wonder how non-English-speaking pax cope with unfamiliar machines that don't even work and offhand customer service?

[ladylily63]

Ryanair

I posted a couple of months ago re Ryanair and would just like to reassure anyone who is flying with this airline that we had a very positive experience flying to Malaga last week. It was the first time we had flown with this airline and I was very impressed. We did experience some turbulence on our return journey but we were kept informed by the pilot at all times.
Will not hesitate to fly with them again, flights were on time, aircraft new; and contary to what we were expecting the crew were very friendly.

Don't believe everything you read in the press!

[Seat62K]

Absolutely! As long as I continue to get good customer service and excellent fares, I shall continue to fly Ryanair.

[DIA74]

Ryanair's Map of Europe

I am often amazed people actually fly Ryanair, when they do such incredibly shifty things as stating they fly to BARCELONA when they actually fly to GIRONA<which is an awful long way from the Ramblas! The cost of getting back to BCN is considerable. There are quite a number of their "destinations" which are an awful long way from where they are supposed to be, and with late flights, if you do not have anyone to meet you in a car, the cost of a taxi or hotel has to go on top of the "cheap" FR fare.

I also find it a disgrace how much they add on for everything. Total rip offs when it comes to paying by card, baggage, etc. They say they are encouraging people to fly without baggage - so why do they fly to many tourist destinations where they know people have to take luggage/ skis, etc for their hols?

When flying to BCN, I actually find Easyjet or BA usually come out much cheaper, and are far more convenient because they both actually fly to BCN

[Seat62K]

I, too, happened to look at Barcelona recently and found easyJet much better value (and flying to El Prat, not somewhere else in Catalonia). Doesn't Ryanair look at competitors' fares or does it think prospective customers won't?

I think many passengers would be surprised about how little one really needs to take when travelling. I always travel with only hand luggage and have never had a problem doing so. Now, if you insist on taking several pairs of shoes, curling tongs, hairdryer etc., etc....

[The Real Slim Shady]

Seat, on our route to Berlin many of our passengers are Polish. On our routes to REus and Girona (Barcelona) not everyone wants to go to Barcelona: there are other places.

People choose FR for 2 reasons: price and convenience.

For example, I much prefer Bergamo to Milan, hence I would always fly to ORI rather than MXP or LIN. If I want to go to Milan I can always get the train. Equally ORI is convenient, as is Brescia for Venice as I can get the train to the main station, which takes 2 hours from Bergamo, 1 and half from Brescia, as opposed to an hour on the water bus from Marco Polo.

Hahn suits me for the Mosel valley if I fancy going wine tasting as Bernkastel is just down the hill: Beauvais on the other hand is a waste of time for Paris and Charleroi I don't rate for Brussels but I'm a big fan of the Eurostar for both destinations.

You can't generalise: we all pay our money based on or needs and perceptions. What suits you doesn't suit Fred next door and vice versa.

[Seat62K]

Slim,
Whilst I agree with what you write above, it's Ryanair which, as you know, lists both Reus and Girona under "B"!
I have flown Ryanair to both, visiting Tarragona and Girona (both interesting cities) and not Barcelona, so I suppose that, too, provides evidence for what you say.
I'd love to see Ryanair serve El Prat because when I travel to Barcelona this is the airport I wish to use.

[Pax Vobiscum]

Sorry, Seat62K, but unless Ryanair make a drastic change to their (very successful) business model, you won't find them flying to Barcelona or any other major airport, where they would face substantial landing fees. Often their current destinations actually subsidise their flying in an effort to build themselves up as an international destination (and when the subsidy stops, Ryanair tend to disappear).

Advertising these flights under the name of a (somewhat) local, more attractive destination does strike many people as sharp practice - though I'm sure Mr O'Leary doesn't lose much sleep over this, any more than over his "which part of 'no refunds' did you not understand?" approach to customer service.

I'm sure to the seasoned travellers who read PPRuNe, this is all very obvious and, so long as you understand exactly what you're buying, Ryanair can provide excellent value for money. My experience of them has been on time, new, clean planes and a very cheap ticket. What's not to like?