Exchange Rate Cheats - Ryanair

fedupflyer

Before returning from our hols, we checked an additional bag with Ryanair as we had collected a lot of stuff whilst away. (We only checked in one bag on the way out so still within our allowance). This cost Euros 15.00 and I made the mistake of using a Sterling credit card to pay. Ryanair have converted to sterling at a rate of 2.07 making a charge of Stg. 31.10 for the transaction. My letter of complaint was dismissed with a "we do not make refunds" reply. How do they get away with an exchange rate of 2.07? Has anyone else been caught in this way? Moral of the story, do not pay in different currency to the quoted one.

kai666

I suspect the answer is as simple as because the can, and they have you over a barrel if you have no alternative. Ryan air aren't alone in this. Never pay anything is another currency, whoever the company

Like going into a motorway service station, no competition, so charge what they like as there is no where else to go

fifeken

I don't think this is quite as it seems. Yes, they use a poorer exchange rate than the banks but not that bad.

I have experienced similar in the past (not to such a degree) and the bank refunded me as Ryanair had used DCC without my permission. They should have charged you in Euros and let the bank do the conversion or asked you if you wanted them to convert.

Inactive

Not sure why you paid in Euro's, I added a bag for my journey from Alicante to the UK and paid £15.00 in Sterling on Ryanair.

MarkBargain

It's the same if you buy a flight from abroad to the UK, they make it virtually impossible to opt to pay in the foreign currency thereby charging their own very poor rates on GBP. Typical Ryanair, cheap up front headline prices and charges for everything else they can catch you out on (moderated only by the EU forcing them to change certain things).

SaveTheEuro

You should pursue this. It may be that you have been charged twice. Your credit card company may be able to help.

I once complained to my bank after Ryanair deducted an amount in sterling for a flight priced in euros. The bank refunded the full amount, Ryanair didn't pursue it, and I flew free.

Pelican_eats_pigeon

fifeken wrote: »

I don't think this is quite as it seems. Yes, they use a poorer exchange rate than the banks but not that bad.

The rate they use is awful, pure and simple. I have seen loads of anywhere between 5-10%, which is daylight robbery. They make it difficult to get out of as well and try and hide the fact that you can.

fifeken

Pelican_eats_pigeon wrote: »

The rate they use is awful, pure and simple. I have seen loads of anywhere between 5-10%, which is daylight robbery. They make it difficult to get out of as well and try and hide the fact that you can.

Yes, but the rate the OP appears to have got is closer to 100% loading which is why I've said something is not as it seems.

fedupflyer

I know the exchange rates are always diabolical and in their favour but my rate of 2.07 is way off the scale. This is why I wondered if anyone else has had such a ridiculous rate for their transactions. Whilst I accept their terms and conditions on a general basis, such a misguided rate must surely be a mistake and would warrant an individual response from them. I shall try my luck and ask for a bit more investigation to be carried out.

richardw

Where did you fly from?

Pelican_eats_pigeon

fifeken wrote: »

Yes, but the rate the OP appears to have got is closer to 100% loading which is why I've said something is not as it seems.

Yes, I was also wondering about that. Something somewhere must have gone wrong.