Booked a flight and got scammed by BMI baby

geckofabulous

Hi,

I booked a flight online via BMI baby and opted to check in online. When I got the confirmation email, all it said I would need to do is take the booking reference and ID (eg passport). When I got to the airport, they said I should have printed off my boarding slip before I got there, but there was no mention of it in my email. The staff conceded that the email was misleading and that I would still have to pay 10.00 check in fee to fly, as 'I should know that about how online check in works' even as I explained I'd never done it before.

I honeslty expected them to guide me in the right direction and not mislead me as per the email. Am I entitled to claim the addition admin payments I had to make back, as a result of not being able to check in online because of their incorrect instructiuons?

M4RKM

Did you read the FAQ's?

http://bmibaby.co.uk/bmibaby/en/index.aspx?p=722#ARTICLE1

blued

If you were flying Ryan Air you would have been charged £30-40 to check in at the airport after stating you would check in online. Checking in online means that you turn up at the airport with your boarding pass already so that (if you have no hold luggage) you have no need to go anywhere near a check in desk. I find it difficult to believe there are people who expect refunds and so on when all the information they need is on the airlines website.

moonrakerz

Same old story - didn't read what it said - therefore "I've been Scammed" !

old_motters

moonrakerz wrote: »

Same old story - didn't read what it said - therefore "I've been Scammed" !

While I agree the OP wasn't scammed, it's not unreasonable for him/her to expect the airline, in it's following communication, to explain the remaining steps needed for smooth passage to the final destination.

Not everyone is clearly as clued up as you are :rolleyes:

M4RKM

old_motters,

i agree with what you saiy, but also, on any e-mail that i've ever received, there is always a link to the faq's, and it'll say something along the lines of - need any more info, read our frequently asked questions, and this details a lot of information of how to check in online.

If the OP had booked online check in, and didn't know how to check in online, then the web site of the airline would be the first point of call. The OP read the e-mail that said they only need ID and the reference number, which is correct, but didn't give any info on the online check in, so assumed that online check in meant go to the airport!?!?!? They also didn't read anything else., investigate or query, that they had opted for an online check in and don't actually have to check in online!!! .. it's a case of swings and roundabouts really..

M

geckofabulous

I appreciate that there are people on here who think I'm over-reacting, but I think it's not a moot point. They send me an email, which instructed me as to the next course of action ie turn up at airport with booking reference and passport. I assumed naturally there would be machines there that I entered the bookign refernece into and would which print off my boarding pass. To assume I would automatically know the online check in process having never done it before is just arrogant

M4RKM

But, at the airport isn't online.

why do you think that an "ONLINE" check in would be done at an airport?!

again, did you read any FAQ's, or did you just book, and think everything was fine.

M

geckofabulous

Why on earth would I automatically assume that the instructional email they sent me was wrong? Even the check in staff said it was but like you, 'assumed' I would know all about the ins and outs of online checkins, so would naturally be able to sport their administrative shortcomings immediately.

M4RKM

Ok, i've just done a dummy booking and I get this, at the side while i'm booking.

If you’re travelling with hand luggage only, take advantage of speedy online check-in available from Manchester & Alicante . If you make an online reservation and prefer to check-in at an airport you will need to pay £5.00 per person per one way flight

So, BMI Baby make it clear, during the booking process, that if you prefer to check-in at the airport, there is a charge to pay. If you didn't read that, and only rely on the e-mail, is it their fault?

finally, before the payment, there is a box I have to tick to ensure I understand their terms and conditions. This then links to a page, witha link to online check-in, so you can read about it, and ensure you fully understand it..

taken from their ts and cs

any passenger failing to present their printed boarding pass at airport security will be sent to the bmibaby check-in desks to be checked in by an agent

If you check in online and do not present your online boarding card you will be charged a £10 airport check in fee.

it is there is black and white, maybe not in the e-mail that you receive confirming your flight details, but is there during the transaction process.

Finally, when you actually browse to https://www.bmibaby.com on the front page is a link to online check-in.

it's not hidden, it isn't a scam, it is there. I doubt you'll get a refund, just because you assumed you were doing the right thing by checking in online via an airport desk. Saying that doesn't make sense.. checking in online, is something you must do online, it's in the name.

airport check in, is at a desk
kiosk check in, is an automated system at the airport.

M

M4RKM

geckofabulous wrote: »

Why on earth would I automatically assume that the instructional email they sent me was wrong? Even the check in staff said it was but like you, 'assumed' I would know all about the ins and outs of online checkins, so would naturally be able to sport their administrative shortcomings immediately.

the e-mail was NOT wrong. It stated everything you need to know to get on your flight, and you chose to read it, and take it as gospel. Maybe it should have been clearer, but I'm trying to get you to answer a question of why didn't you READ THE FAQ's or the TERMS AND CONDITIONS.... Because you didn't check in online, like you said you would is why you got charged £10

because you read nothing else but an e-mail that is automated is a reason why you spend £10.

didn't it ring any bells that an ONLINE check in, without actually doing anything ONLINE after BOOKING a flight, that you might have missed something?!

just for claritys sake, copy and paste the ENTIRE email that bmibaby sent you on booking, removing any personal/sensitive data. I've never booked them, so I'd love to see exactly what it says.

M


igiveup