Mar 9 2009 By Lindsay Clydesdale
Source
THEY'RE sold to the public by airlines as low-cost flights that are the cheapest way to get from A to B.
But budget travel companies have been asked to come clean about the added charges that can double the price of a ticket. Consumer groups are warning travellers to read the small print and check how much is charged for so-called 'extras' which can include taking luggage, checking-in or sitting beside the people you booked with.
Most recently, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary even suggested charging customers £1 to use the toilet. And while all these add-ons aren't breaking the law, they are infuriating passengers who want to pay the price they see advertised.
A spokesman for Consumer Focus Scotland advised carefully checking the details of what is included before completing any transaction, as well as researching the travel costs from the airport to your final destination.
When Ryanair introduced luggage charges three years ago it caused a stir, but other airlines soon followed. Many of the money-making practises of the budget carriers are copied by the more traditional, full-service airlines but it's unlikely to be a popular move.
"People want the price they see to be the price they pay," said Rochelle Turner of Which? magazine. "Most want that price to include check-in for a bag and an assigned seat."
Taking heavy bags on your trip is one of the quickest ways to incur financial penalties. Turner says: "Often people would almost be better off posting their luggage to where they are going instead of trying to take it on the plane."
EASYJET
Priority boarding £5.50
Checking in online Free
Checking in at airport Free
Hold luggage Flat rate of £6 for up to 20kg
Excess weight charge for hold luggage £36 for every extra 3kg
Booking charges
£1.95 charge except for bookings on Visa Electron and Carte Bleue. An additional 2.5 per cent of transaction value is charged if using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, or UATP/Airplus. Minimum charge of £3.50
Phone booking 65p per minute
Change flight or name of passenger
£20 online, £30 at airport. Misspelt names corrected free of charge
On-board tea or coffee £1.80
On-board sandwich £3.50
BMIBABY
Priority boarding Seats can be reserved online or at airport
Checking in online £3.99
Checking in at airport Free for passengers with one item of hand luggage
Hold luggage Domestic and City routes, £7.99 per bag. Mediterranean routes, £8.99 per bag
Excess weight charge for hold
luggage£7 on City routes, £9 on
Mediterranean routes.
Booking charges
Debit card, £2.50 per passenger, per flight.
Credit card, £3.50 per passenger per flight.
Bmibaby credit, card no charge
Phone booking 35p per minute
Change flight or name of passenger
Change of flight, £25 Passenger name, £35
On-board tea or coffee £2
On-board sandwich £3.50
FLYBE
Priority boarding N/A
Checking in online Free
Checking in at airport Free
Hold luggage £7.99 for first bag, £13 for second bag, one way, if booked online. Charges from £13 per bag if checked in at airport
Excess weight charge for hold
luggage £10 for the first 3kg over 20kg, then £15 per kilo up to 26kg
Booking charges Electron, cash and cheques are free; al other methods of payment have minimum booking fee of £2 and minimum credit card supplement of £3.50
Phone booking £1 per minute Change flight or name of passenger Flight change from £25. No name change allowed
On-board tea or coffee £2
On-board sandwich £3.95
RYANAIR
Priority boarding
£1.90 online, £2.85 at airport
Checking in online Free
Checking in at airport £4.75
Hold luggage15kg of hold luggage, charged per bag. £9.50 for first bag, £19 for any others, one-way
Excess weight charge for hold
luggage £14 for every extra kilo
Booking charges Visa Electron free. All others £4.75 per person, one-way
Phone booking 10p per minute
Change flight or name of
passenger Flight change, £24 online, £52 at airport. Name change, £95 online, £142.50 at airport
On-board tea or coffee £3
On-board sandwich £5
BRITISH AIRWAYS
Priority boarding
Not Applicable
Checking in online Free
Checking in at airport Free
Hold luggage Free
Excess weight charge for hold luggage Flat rate of £28 for up to 23kg
Booking charges
Debit cards no charge, credit cards, £4.
Phone booking
Standard 0844 rate
Change flight or name of passenger
N/A for name change. Flight change charge varies
On-board tea or coffee N/A
On-board sandwich N/A
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