Ryanair on line check in fees

lijaloo

We regularly fly between Stansted and Reus. (every 4 to 6 weeks) There are no set dates, days when we can fly so always look for the cheapest option. Since the introduction of "promotional fares" which include the online check in I haven't booked a single flight. The reason being these promotional fares have been £12.00 from Stansted to Reus but there have been none from Reus to Stansted, so for all flights home we have to pay the online check in fee and local taxes.
This morning the website is showing "special offer" flights which are free of airport taxes but there is a charge to check in on line. Before anyone starts jumping up and down about £40.00 return for two people being good value, it is but Ryanair has introduced a charge (online check in) which I have no choice but to pay to fly from Reus to Stansted.
Just to reiterate and explain to those new to Ryanair
Promotional fare Stansted to Reus (includes free check in) £12.00 per person
Special offer fare Stansted to Reus (excludes free check in) £10.00 per person
No promotional fares from Reus to Stansted, but since this morning some special offer fares.
I have read somewhere that the Air User's Council has already lodged a complaint to the OFT about the introduction of the on line check in fee as it a requirement that everyone checks in before flying and the number of promotional fares available is actually very low.
Has anyone who regulary flies between two distinations noticed the same or is it just flights between Stansted and Reus?

PolishBigSpender

We regularly fly between Stansted and Reus. (every 4 to 6 weeks) There are no set dates, days when we can fly so always look for the cheapest option. Since the introduction of "promotional fares" which include the online check in I haven't booked a single flight. The reason being these promotional fares have been £12.00 from Stansted to Reus but there have been none from Reus to Stansted, so for all flights home we have to pay the online check in fee and local taxes.

So you can perfectly well gain promotional fares. The fact that you haven't booked is down to your own sense of greed, as opposed to non-availability of promotional flights.

Before anyone starts jumping up and down about £40.00 return for two people being good value, it is but Ryanair has introduced a charge (online check in) which I have no choice but to pay to fly from Reus to Stansted.

Yes, you're correct. You aren't obliged to fly with Ryanair - it's entirely your choice. There may very well be promotional fares available - but they could be snapped up pretty quickly. You don't know this.

I have read somewhere that the Air User's Council has already lodged a complaint to the OFT about the introduction of the on line check in fee as it a requirement that everyone checks in before flying and the number of promotional fares available is actually very low.

There's plenty of promotional fares available right this minute on Ryanair.com. I've just checked and found plenty - so their complaint will be without teeth.

Let's face it - your complaint is solely about the fact that you can't get the flights you want, when you want to book them, for the price you want to pay. For that matter, I don't think you actually have a complaint.

Bengt

lijaloo wrote: »

We regularly fly between Stansted and Reus. (every 4 to 6 weeks) There are no set dates, days when we can fly so always look for the cheapest option. Since the introduction of "promotional fares" which include the online check in I haven't booked a single flight. The reason being these promotional fares have been £12.00 from Stansted to Reus but there have been none from Reus to Stansted, so for all flights home we have to pay the online check in fee and local taxes.
This morning the website is showing "special offer" flights which are free of airport taxes but there is a charge to check in on line. Before anyone starts jumping up and down about £40.00 return for two people being good value, it is but Ryanair has introduced a charge (online check in) which I have no choice but to pay to fly from Reus to Stansted.
Just to reiterate and explain to those new to Ryanair
Promotional fare Stansted to Reus (includes free check in) £12.00 per person
Special offer fare Stansted to Reus (excludes free check in) £10.00 per person
No promotional fares from Reus to Stansted, but since this morning some special offer fares.
I have read somewhere that the Air User's Council has already lodged a complaint to the OFT about the introduction of the on line check in fee as it a requirement that everyone checks in before flying and the number of promotional fares available is actually very low.
Has anyone who regulary flies between two distinations noticed the same or is it just flights between Stansted and Reus?

If you book a single flight from Reus to Stansted you will find several Special Offer at 0.00 € + 5 € Check in + 5 € Taxes. This is in early July. Quite OK I would say...
Also fly out 8th of July and back next day will be £20 total including check-in and taxes.
So what is really the complaint?
I can understand people complaining about strange charges and bad customer service BUT I usually have no problem finding the advertised total prices at Ryanair's webiste. It has happened several times that I have found all included prices lower than the price advertised...
The only exception would be flights between Stockholm Skavsta and Girona that tend to be highly booked quite early..

richardw

lijaloo wrote: »

the number of promotional fares available is actually very low.

Have you done all the maths then?

PolishBigSpender

richardw wrote: »

Have you done all the maths then?

Anecdotal evidence. About as reliable as the man in the pub.