Anyway To Get RyanAir Flights Cheaper Than Online Quote?

Jay_C

Hi All

I am planning to go to Italy in September and so did a quick search online to see the charges.

For 2 people i got £230 quote to fly with Ryanair, I was wondering if anyone knew if there is way to reduce this or if it simply is a case of that being cheapest possible price?

apt

Apart from waiting, in which case the price could go down, but for September is probably more likely to go up, it is always cheapest to book direct via the Ryanair website using a prepaid Mastercard. Also Ryanair threatens nasty things if you book indirectly.

lijaloo

Jay_C wrote: »

Hi All

I am planning to go to Italy in September and so did a quick search online to see the charges.

For 2 people i got £230 quote to fly with Ryanair, I was wondering if anyone knew if there is way to reduce this or if it simply is a case of that being cheapest possible price?

Don't assume that Ryanair are always the cheapest.

unsure

British Airways currently has flights to Italy in Sept for £49 one way without any of those funny hidden charges for baggage, checking in, having the temerity to use their service, breathing etc!

£49 Destinations: Bologna, Genoa, Naples, Pisa, Rome, Verona
£59 Milan

see
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/low-price-finder/public/en_gb


This appears ot be BAs attempt to fight back against the "low cost" airlines. Must say I'd be very tempted by a decent headline price that includes all those "extras" , plus no credit card charges etc from a decent(ish) airline. I've had issues with BA in the past but this approach could win me back at least for short haul European flights.
Hope that helps.

benjus

Last summer when I went to Italy on holiday Alitalia were a bit cheaper than Ryanair so we flew with them. As a "full service" airline we got luxuries like pre-booked seats, hold luggage at no extra charge and a very, very, small snack. OTOH the flight was indirect, so it took a fair bit longer than Ryanair's. Swings and roundabouts really...

If you do decide to fly with Ryanair I would advise you to only book directly with them.

zzzLazyDaisy

Another vote for BA from me - my cousin just got flights to amsterdam which included generous luggage allowance and handluggage (one carry on bag plus a laptop or handbag) and a meal on the flight, for less than the rolled up cost of the budget airlines, once all the add-ons have been taken into account.

And I know who I'd rather fly with!

unsure

This page from BA shows what they are offering and then compares to Ryanair and easyjet prices before offerign you a tab to search for cheapest BA flight to destinations (£49 one way to Europe). Quite illuminating really!

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/value-calculator/public/en_gb

I don't work for BA ( don't even think they are a great airline any more) but I am fed up of "hidden charges" turning "low cost flights" into nothing of the sort! Anyone who's going to offer a decent, transparent service at a decent price is likely to get my support. And if that in any way pushes Ryanair and co to get their house in order that would be a good thing.

The_Groat_Counter

unsure wrote: »

British Airways currently has flights to Italy in Sept for £49 one way without any of those funny hidden charges for baggage, checking in, having the temerity to use their service, breathing etc!
[...]
This appears ot be BAs attempt to fight back against the "low cost" airlines. Must say I'd be very tempted by a decent headline price that includes all those "extras" , plus no credit card charges etc from a decent(ish) airline. I've had issues with BA in the past but this approach could win me back at least for short haul European flights.
Hope that helps.

Note that BA does levy a £4.50 surcharge per booking for paying with a credit card - no surcharge for paying with a debit card.

unsure

Sorry, you're right...but at least free card payment isn't restricted to an obscure pre-pay card from the internet bank of Zanzibar or somesuch! Any debit card will be free to use. It's more the idea of being upfront about what you are charging and what you are offering that appeals to me. A BA £49 flight including luggage, check in, seat allocation, snack, paid for on a debit card could well cost less than an apparently cheaper Ryanair flight once those are added. I'd rather pay £49 to someone treating me open and fairly and providing a good service than £48 to someone who I think is trying to con me over the real price and doesn't give a damn about me or the service I receive as a customer.

photome

BA is great if you live in or are south of London , what about the rest of us

zzzLazyDaisy

That's true, although some flights only go from the south anyway (Istanbul and Thailand spring to mind). Also my closest airport (Manchester) doesn't have ryanair or easyjet, so I have to travel to an alternative airport if I want to take advantage of those flights anyway.

On the other hand I can fly BA Man/LGW for £39 each way, which works great for me as my cousin lives 15 mins from gatwick so I get to catch up on an overnight stop with her.

In my case using budget airlines would mean parking my car at the alternative airport, so it is swings and roundabouts, but I agree it does depend where you live.