URGENT Ryanair question

JayZed

I booked some flights with Ryanair a few weeks ago, departing tomorrow. At the time I didn't think we'd need checked baggage, so booked just with cabin baggage. Now I think we'll need to check at least one piece of baggage, so I want to add this before I check in online.

However, when I go to the page on the website to add bags, it says: "Please note that when you change a flight all passengers included in this booking will be changed. If you wish to add a bag, sports, infant or musical items all passengers in this booking will be required to check-in at the airport."

If I understand this correctly, this means that if I add a bag now, then we won't be able to check in online and all three of us will have to pay the rip-off airport check-in rates (in addition to the £20 for the bag). Is that right? I haven't come across this particular Ryanair con before. Would appreciate any confirmation of this today as our flight leaves early tomorrow morning!

I would phone Ryanair to check, but of course as it's Saturday I'd have to pay £1 a minute to talk to them...:mad:

wannaberichbtch

Yes you have read it right, adding a bag will incur check in charges for all on the booking. Would have a serious think about whether you could do without that extra bag.

JayZed

Thanks richbtch. I can't work out what the airport check-in charges are - is it the "airport boarding card re-issue" at £40 per passenger per flight?

Beaker99

May be cheaper to next day courrier those items to your destination instead??

bluffer

JayZed wrote: »

If I understand this correctly, this means that if I add a bag now, then we won't be able to check in online and all three of us will have to pay the rip-off airport check-in rates (in addition to the £20 for the bag). Is that right? I haven't come across this particular Ryanair con before. .:mad:

thats rediculous. if at the time of the original booking you can add a bag, there can be no reason at all for making you check in other than raking in money from you. it would make no difference to the flight, its almost like saying if you book late you should be charged extra for the privilege.

A silly questioin maybe but would it be cheaper to cancel a seat and rebook with the case than check in?

cannyscot_2

Just put it all in your pockets and wear half the stuff.

JayZed

You're telling me it's ridiculous. I think we'll be able to cope with just the cabin baggage - the only reason we were going to add hold luggage was because we realised that our small cases aren't within the Ryanair size limits (which are infuriatingly just a little bit smaller than the industry standard, presumably so that they can catch people out).

So we have to go out and buy new luggage, which is going to cost us £30, but at least the money won't be going to Ryanair!:p

It would be very helpful if somebody could confirm what the airport check-in fee is. The only thing I can find on Ryanair's list of fees is the £40 airport boarding card reissue as above. If that really is the cost then obviously we're not going to pay an extra £280 (3x£40 check-in fees each way plus £40 baggage charges) when we can just spend £30 at Argos!

cannyscot_2

Did you book before 20th May?


You can get the right size cases in TJ hughes and teso super cheap-£15

Donnie

JayZed wrote: »

You're telling me it's ridiculous. I think we'll be able to cope with just the cabin baggage - the only reason we were going to add hold luggage was because we realised that our small cases aren't within the Ryanair size limits (which are infuriatingly just a little bit smaller than the industry standard, presumably so that they can catch people out).

So we have to go out and buy new luggage, which is going to cost us £30, but at least the money won't be going to Ryanair!:p

It would be very helpful if somebody could confirm what the airport check-in fee is. The only thing I can find on Ryanair's list of fees is the £40 airport boarding card reissue as above. If that really is the cost then obviously we're not going to pay an extra £280 (3x£40 check-in fees each way plus £40 baggage charges) when we can just spend £30 at Argos!

I would say not to worry too much about the size of your case. Ryanair are a business, not the Devil incarnate.
Also, if you check in online there is no one to check the size of your bag until you are at the boarding gate.

Unless your bags are clearly bulky and oversized, no one is going to give you grief at that stage.

The size limits are there to ensure that your bags fit into the overhead lockers.

Enjoy your trip.

JayZed

Thanks cannyscot and Donnie. Yes, I did book before 20 May.

Donnie, you say not to worry about the size of your case, but I've heard mixed things about this. I've heard a lot of people say that they've had no problems with bags that are (slightly) too big; I've also heard of people who've had to check in bags because the wheels made them 2cm too long. It seems to be pot luck depending on the airport, the time of day etc, and I'm reluctant to risk it and end up paying big fees (£20 each way) to check them at the airport.

Donnie

Listen, who do you think is going to be measuring your bag as you are boarding the aeroplane?

Don't obsess about hearsay. In all the times that I have flown with Ryanair(many times over many years), I have never seen someone stopped in the boarding queue and told to go back to check in or being refused entry on to the aeroplane until they checked in their slightly oversized luggage.