New FlightChecker

Grumpy_Old_Duffer

..... and the 2nd reply from EasyJet 20 minutes later!!:rolleyes:

Thank you for your email enquiry regarding the MoneySavingExpert.com Free Flight Checker.

Please be advised that easyJet has many commercial relationships with web portals, ISP's etc. which are seen as useful marketing tools that are beneficial to the airline. We also advertise easyJet.com through a multitude of different media channels. However, we do not have any commercial relationships with any companies that allow them to 'scrape' or to display our flight schedule, flights or fares.(Sorry Martin .... your website just isn't good enough!!!) Our position has not changed since we first accepted bookings through our website easyjet.com We want customers, regular or prospective, to access easyjet.com directly where the information they access is both current and relevant to there needs prior to and following a sale.

The new version of the easyJet web site allows users to find the cheapest fares within a 14 day period. (Yeah! Right! Cheapest on EasyJet maybe ... which ain't what we be on about!!) You will find this option on page 2 of the easyJet website.

Passengers simply elect their route and date on page 1; click on 'show flights' then, on the left hand side of page 2, passengers can click on 'calendar view' to select the cheapest flights available.

Registered members of our website, also have several advantages. They not only benefit from our great easyJet Mail service, receiving promotions, news and updates about our routes but also are able to review or change their flights on-line, saving them money on the transfer costs. Passengers are also able to request a confirmation email whenever it is needed, remaining always in control of their travel plans.

Former_MSE_Dan

Just so everyone on here knows, contrary to Easyjets response, the flightchecker is actually trawling constantly, not just once every 24 hours, so you are NOT going to get prices which are as out of date - as they are suggesting.

Very importantly, the Flightchecker does not generate any revenue, and we are not asking Easyjet for any commercial relationship involving fees to sign up, or anything of the kind. This is the same for all of the companies who are involved in the Flightchecker.

MikB_2

How about starting a new thread devoted to Easyjet with a view to changing their mind. Here is the reply I got:-

Thank you for your email about moneysaver.com.

I am sorry you are disappointed easyJet is not participating in the moneysaver.com flightchecker.

The reasoning behind this decision is that we believe that the flightchecker is (1) misleading because it only shows the fare without the appropriate taxes and charges. The customer has to (2) go to the airlines website anyway in order to get the 'real' price for the flight. Their site works by trawling each airlines website (3) once every 24 hours which means that there is a very good chance that the prices are out of date especially the closer you get to the date of departure. Obviously, it does (4) not include any other relevant information that assists the customer in making the decision to buy. We do not see any benefit to the customer and believe that they would be better off going directly to the airline website.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. If you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again, either (5) by phone on 0871 244 2366 (calls cost 10p per minute; calls from mobiles and other networks may cost more) or via the contact us section of the easyJet web site. We look forward to welcoming you onboard in the future.

My comments are:-

(1) Taxes etc are pretty much standard at individual airports so it is not rocket science to add that on, I don’t think many people on this site would be mislead. With co-operation with the software author all fares could be displayed on the same basis anyway.

(2) Of course we have to go to the airline site to book. All flight checker is intended for is providing information so that we know what to book.

(3) If a fare has gone and is no longer available we can simply go back to flight checker.

(4) Ok so we do not get exposed to adverts for car rentals and hotel rooms but not every body wants that

(5)Say no to ………. It costs to complain

To be fair, I have had only good experiences using Easy jet and would like them to join in. No one is suggesting that any of their existing booking arrangements be replaced. All we are asking for is more choice when we look for flight information. Can someone tell EasyJet how many money-conscious individuals (who I would guess are the target audience for budget airlines) use Moneysaver,com and what a marketing opportunity they are missing.

simonne15_2

EasyJet has many commercial relationships with web portals, ISP's etc. which are seen as useful marketing tools that are beneficial to the airline. We also advertise easyJet.com through a multitude of different media channels. However, we do not have any commercial relationships with any companies that allows them to 'scrape' or to display our flight schedule, flights or fares. Our position has not changed since we first accepted bookings through our website easyjet.com. We want customers, regular or prospective, to access easyjet.com directly where the information they access is both current and relevant to their needs prior to and following a sale.

Grumpy_Old_Duffer

What EasyJet don't seem to understand, is that Flight Checker was initially developed to 'find' the low prices hidden amongst the multitude of prices within Ryan Airlines. It has since been developed to include 'other' airlines. Alright, I know it does do other things, but essentially this is what it was intended to do ....... I think;)

Their argument about "... many commercial relationships with web portals, ISP's etc. which are seen as useful marketing tools that are beneficial to the airline" is a load of nonsense, as they are linked with skyscanner.net which can be used to 'compare' airline prices.

What we want from EasyJet is access to their data so that we can find the many 'bargain' flights hidden amongst all the 'clutter' .... or don't they want us to find them!!!

tonys_3

Hi,
I am surprised that Easyjet don't want to be included.Especially as they are on
another site along with Ryanair et al.It is worth a look as it seems to do what many of you are asking for. eg reverse lookups http://www.whichbudget.com/en

Marigold123

MSE_Dan wrote:

Just so everyone on here knows, contrary to Easyjets response, the flightchecker is actually trawling constantly, not just once every 24 hours, so you are NOT going to get prices which are as out of date - as they are suggesting.

Is this new then? It was my understanding that the original flight checker checked about once a day. I'm sure it was posted here that the most accurate time to check was about 9.30 am, and the availability became gradually less accurate as the day went on.

Former_MSE_Dan

Yep, this flightchecker is a completely new program, and now trawls prices constantly so you shouldn't get an out-of-date one.

Marigold123

That's great!

Is there a note on the Flightchecker page to say so? If not, people may still be assuming, like I did, that it's still only updated once a day.

ssly69

Everyone, please go to http://www.fatcatfares.com. Yes its free.

I have designed a flight checker as well. Can't say which airline its for. But I am sure everyone knows. I'm not the kind of person who likes to reinvent the wheel. As we already have a Ryanair flight checker(Thanks Martin). Currently data is about 24-48 hours current. Will get faster as I improve the process.


Cheers and enjoy!