MSE News: Ryanair to charge for Visa Electron bookings

benjus

lufcgirl wrote: »

So I book about 25 return flights a year with Ryanair, and researching these horrible prepaid cards, it appears they have a fee for everything. From signing up to actually putting money onto it.

Has anyone found a good value one at all yet?

The Phones4U Escape card is looking OK - the only unavoidable charge seems to be a £10 application fee. It seems to be possible to spend on the card and top it up without paying any charges.

I'd be interested in finding any better options though...

mystic_trev

Oh dear - Looks like we'll have PBS foaming at the mouth!

Got to say it's a blooming shame. Like dmg24 my new one had just arrived.

real1314

The Sun card is £6.49 application, no mnthly fee, re-load via BACS for free, max £1.50 fee for use (3%)

http://www.what-prepaid-card.co.uk/features/compare-cards-prepaid.html

PolishBigSpender

Egg on face.

(Ryanair, you can't justify this, Mastercard Prepaid IS obscure - it's almost unavailable in Poland, despite what they say).

I think this is undefendable - and I suspect Ryanair might end up being forced to accept bank transfers, like in Germany.

lufcgirl

I think the Sun one is going to be the best of a very bad lot. How can they make you take out an account with these prepaid cards that aren't even proper bank accounts to pay? I wish it was prepaid Visa, then I could get one of those o2 cash manager cards instead! Might be worth a try putting it through though....

benjus

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

Egg on face.

(Ryanair, you can't justify this, Mastercard Prepaid IS obscure - it's almost unavailable in Poland, despite what they say).

I think this is undefendable - and I suspect Ryanair might end up being forced to accept bank transfers, like in Germany.

The thing I liked best was that according to their own list, Visa Electron was unobtainable in Ireland! If they could get away with that...

PeterSc_2

Apparently Ryanair have launched their own prepaid card, but I'm not sure of how much it costs and it doesn't look like you can apply yet.

I have a Cashplus prepaid card, which I use for online shopping so no doubt will use this.

Pity that 02 is a visa card, so you won't be able to book with this. For prepaid mastercards I suggest you check out the what prepaid card site.

Donnie

real1314 wrote: »

The Sun card is £6.49 application, no mnthly fee, re-load via BACS for free, max £1.50 fee for use (3%)

http://www.what-prepaid-card.co.uk/features/compare-cards-prepaid.html

PAYG: 2.95% (min 50p/max £1.50) in the UK and abroad

PAYG admin fee £1 per month

Can't believe anyone would trust The Sun :rolleyes:

hsbcarter_2

I'm wondering whether the

Caxton fx Global Traveller Card

Is the best card... it seems to be free with no charge to load or to acquire and costs £1.50 every time you spend on it.

You have to load up £200 on it but hey, my flights cost more than that!

benjus

Donnie wrote: »

PAYG: 2.95% (min 50p/max £1.50) in the UK and abroad

PAYG admin fee £1 per month

Can't believe anyone would trust The Sun :rolleyes:

The PAYG admin fee only applies if you don't use it in a month - so just use it instead of your normal card once a month if you're not buying flights.

Personally I'm still inclining towards the Phones4U card - I'd rather pay a bit upfront and then have it free to use.