Beat Budget Airline Charges Article Discussion

linnyg89

Hi, I note you said in Italy you cannot check in on line so will get charged at the airport - I am flying with Ryainair to Pisa next week, when I return home will I not be able to check in with my already printed boarding pass???
Many thanks

Lehman

Zebra wrote: »

Why do you say that?

I'm not arguing, I'm just wondering why it's the cheapest.

The Neteller card isn't on this list:
http://www.travel-money-cards.co.uk/sterling-travel-money-cards.html
But there are a couple of others that don't have transaction fees - do they have other fees that I'm missing?

I wonder why Martin Lewis recommends the Fairfx card when it has a 1.5% fee.

Hi Zebra,

The comparison sites are one big fat lie. They only work with companies that will pay if them if they refer people to them. If a service does not want to pay, then comparison sites never mention about it. Why would they? Let's assume Net+ is not the best prepaid card, but even then it is much, much better and cheaper than many other mentioned, but still the sites have no word of it. Net+ is cheap because it does not have to pay marketing fees of such nature. They market themselves through their own social media and blogging. For Ryanair, I seriously haven't yet found a better card than Netteller. Searched a lot, and keeping searching.

Zebra

Lehman wrote: »

Hi Zebra,

The comparison sites are one big fat lie. They only work with companies that will pay if them if they refer people to them. If a service does not want to pay, then comparison sites never mention about it. Why would they? Let's assume Net+ is not the best prepaid card, but even then it is much, much better and cheaper than many other mentioned, but still the sites have no word of it. Net+ is cheap because it does not have to pay marketing fees of such nature. They market themselves through their own social media and blogging. For Ryanair, I seriously haven't yet found a better card than Netteller. Searched a lot, and keeping searching.

Hi Lehman

I'm not disputing that Neteller is the cheapest, but why is it cheaper than any of the others if they all have zero transaction fees - are there any other costs involved?
Nobody has explained that, just stated that it is the cheapest, and like you I prefer to have all the facts before making my decision.

I certainly don't believe what comparison sites say - all of them (including MSE) make their money from affiliate links.

Lehman

Zebra wrote: »

Hi Lehman

I'm not disputing that Neteller is the cheapest, but why is it cheaper than any of the others if they all have zero transaction fees - are there any other costs involved?
Nobody has explained that, just stated that it is the cheapest, and like you I prefer to have all the facts before making my decision.

I certainly don't believe what comparison sites say - all of them (including MSE) make their money from affiliate links.

First of all, there is no fee for getting the card and then no fee for maintaining an account. There is a fee for cancellation; however, if you cancel because you are not happy with the service and bring valid arguments, I was told that fee can also be waived. There is an inactivity fee if you do not use your account or card at least once per 20 months, but I suppose if you can just go and pay with your Net+ once anywhere, it will be considered as an activity.

There is no topping up fee, if you deposit money via bank account transfer, local bank account deposit, or iDEAL deposit (only valid in some areas, including Holland where I am from).

ATM withdrawal fee very competitive.
FX rates very competitive
Transfer of money abroad (I use it a lot) very competitive
Free to use on Ryanair without incurring admin fees
Interface is user friendly

Once again, because Neteller does not pay to comparison sites, we do not get fair comparison and have to do our research.

Good luck in making the correct choice.

lovesthesummer

I have just booked 4 flights using an IDT prime card, bought it from local shop, activated it and then registered it online (IDTPRIME.COM). Worked perfectly. Cost £3 for the card (was going to cost £40 in Ryanair charges) nd you can buy them from loads of places.

The best thing was no waiting as I needed to book the flights before midnight, the card is issued instantly in the shop :-)

MeanExpat

To book RyanAir flights completely free of charge, get a Neteller prepaid Mastercard which is absolutely free.:j

To all those who still moan about low-cost airlines, have you recently checked how much your trip would cost by car or by train or even by boat? Including stopovers, food and drinks (not included as far as I know ;o)

Bon voyage!

rob_2512

jbwillcox wrote: »

I am a paraplegic and wheelchair bound. I have not travelled on budget airlines since the extra charges became the norm. Obviously my wheelchair has to be loaded in the hold as does a standing frame and other medical necessities, consequently my hold baggage is quite considerable. Before the present charging regime all the necessary extras for disabled living were not included in baggage allowance and carried free. In addition I was boarded first so as not to suffer the indignity of an audience while I was carried to my seat and also because I cannot sit in certain seats. Has anyone, in a similar position to myself experienced what haoppens, and what is charged for, under the new extra charges regime.
Many thanks John

My wife has just booked a flight later in the year with RyanAir and will be taking an electric scooter. She has used EasyJet several times in the past, and they have generally been very helpful. The following is quoted from RyanAir's terms:

CHECKED BAGGAGE


Mobility equipment is carried free of charge.

REDUCED MOBILITY, BLIND/VISION IMPAIRED, MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR PASSENGERS REQUIRING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE AIRPORT

For safety reasons Ryanair will carry a maximum of four passengers per flight who have either reduced mobility, or are blind/visually impaired travelling with a guide dog or alone or require special assistance at the airport or onboard. Such passengers (including in the case of those who are blind/vision impaired if travelling with a sighted adult companion) should reserve the special assistance during the booking process on [the ryanair website].

Passengers who have pre-booked special assistance will have their required assistance printed on their online boarding pass. On arrival at the airport they should go to the designated airport special assistance desk/area.

Please retain your online boarding pass or airport receipt for production on arrival at your destination airport to obtain pre-booked assistance. Failure to pre-book special assistance services may result in services being unable and the passenger being unable to travel.

Special assistance services cannot be reserved online within 36 hours of travel or once a passenger has checked in. Special assistance may be added (subject to availability) via your local Ryanair call centre during office hours up to 12 hours prior to scheduled flight departure. However, we will make all reasonable efforts to facilitate passengers who do not pre-advise their requirements in advance.

Reduced mobility passengers who have pre-advised their condition should arrive at the boarding gate at least 30 minutes prior to the flight departure. They will be boarded, with travelling companions, after general boarding has been completed and seats will be reserved onboard. PRMs will embark and disembark at the rear of the aircraft to occupy reserved seats there, and exceptionally via the front of the aircraft.

Electric Wheelchairs can only be accepted if the battery is dry/gel cell and the dimensions of the wheelchair when collapsed do not exceed 81cms (height), 119cms (width) and 119cms (depth). The passenger must advise us how the battery power is isolated and ensure that exposed terminals will be protected from short circuiting.

Ryanair for safety reasons does not permit passengers to bring their own oxygen on board. If oxygen is required for use during the flight it must be reserved at the latest 7 days prior to travel or directly with Ryanair via your local Ryanair call centre preferably on the same day of booking for a fee of £100/€100 (or local currency equivalent). Safety regulations limit oxygen requests to one per flight. Passengers requiring oxygen must carry a letter from their doctor written in English confirming that they are fit to travel; that they do not require a continuous supply of oxygen for more than 120 minutes at 4 litres per minute (high flow) or 240 minutes at 2 litres per minute (low flow) and that the oxygen we provide is suitable for the passenger. Passengers will not be accepted for travel without this letter.

Please note that assistance animals cannot be accepted for travel on the following routes:
Flights to/from Morocco.
Flights to/from Irish airports (except Dublin Airport) to continental Europe and islands*
Certain routes pending approval from regulatory bodies which are specified in our ‘Frequently Asked Questions.’
Passengers wishing to be accompanied by an assistance animal onboard should preferably pre-advise their special needs requirement online at the time of booking or later via the Ryanair Special Assistance line, preferably on the same day as booking. Please note: failure to pre-advise may result in the service being unavailable on arrival at the airport and you being unable to travel on your booked flight.
*Islands include Malta, Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily, Ibiza, Majorca and the Canary Islands.

If for medical reasons, passengers need to inject themselves during the flight (e.g. diabetics) they are permitted to carry syringes in the cabin. They will be asked to produce appropriate medical evidence (a doctor's letter will suffice) when they check in or at security. This should be kept with them at all times.

Information in relation to the carriage of medical equipment is available in the Special Assistance section in the Travel Questions on [the ryanair website] or via your local Ryanair call centre.

bbqforce10

Worth mentioning Air Southwest if you are flying to/from Newquay, Plymouth or Bristol.
A great little airline, that has all-inclusive fares;
7kg hand baggage (+laptop): free
20kg hold baggage: free
Check-in: free
Allocated seat: free

They treat you like a valued customer too, not just a number- which is refreshing! (airsouthwest dot com)

Arthurian

:money: Martin! Where'd you get that gilet with all the pockets?! :money:

Anyone else have any specific recommendations for multi-pocketed garments (with prices/links if possible)? Thanks.

EDIT: just found this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Result-Multi-Purpose-Gilet/dp/B001O5LVK8
with 10 pockets:-
1 Inside right (135mm x 130mm approx)
2 lower outside half-gusseted pockets*, left and right, with Velcro fastening (145mm x 180mm approx) (* These are gusseted on one side only)
2 "hand warmer" pockets (side opening) behind them.
1 zipped pocket, right (140mm x 180mm approx)
1 breast pocket, left, gusseted with Velcro fastening (110mm x 110mm)
2 breast pockets (right), one gusseted with Velcro fastening (100mm x 195mm approx) and one outer mesh, Velcro fastened (100mm x 90mm approx)
1 large rear pocket with unfastened access from both sides (500mm x 220mm approx)

rwgray

I avoided most of the payment fees with FlyBE by booking the same flights through an agent - in this case OPODO. Their one-off charge was very reasonable.

I've also noted some striking differences in prices according to whether you are booking one-way or return, and recently booked outgoing with FlyBE and inbound with BA (hence neatly avoiding the strike dates) to save a few quid. This is probably more appropriate if you have your own travel insurance. Mine is free from A&L.

Rich.x