Free Flight Problem

arostron

Martin,

I require some advice, I applied for a first direct Visa card, because of an offer for a free flight and to cut a long story short it turned out to be a bit of a con, the free flight was not free and in the end it would have actually cost me more money to take the flight than to book the exact same flight with easyjet directly. I have complained to first direct and they have now advised me that they think it’s a fair offer and directed me to the ombudsman. I sent a form to the ombudsman and had a reply stating, as it was not a financial mater they could not get involved. My question is there anything I can do next? As the offer of free flights is, as far as I can see is a genuine rip off.

Cheers Anthony

Galstonian

With all these offers if you read them you will find they have conditions, if you did not have the conditions when you signed up then it may be unfair but I suspect they were available you just didn't read them which is not the company's fault. Sorry, but next time you'll know better

Reaper

I took a free flight offer from a First Direct offer and was very happy with what I got. I don't know your circumstances but people are normally disappointed because of unreasonably high expectations. With ALL free flights offers (not just First Direct's) you should realise the typical limitations are:

* Flights will have to be taken in the off season (eg Winter excluding Christmas)
* Limited choice of dates.
* You may need to be flexible on the destination.
* No choice of airline.
* Flights only from London, or supplements if starting elsewhere.
* You must pay taxes and sometimes other fees.
* Offer is only for one person. The cost of adding a second person is high.
* Flight times will be the least popular time of day.
* Journeys must include staying overnight on a Saturday (to stop business trips).
* You must have travel insurance. If you do not have this in place already when they are booking the flight they will expect you to accept their expensive policy.

If you realise all of the above then they can still be good value. I had an annual travel policy already in place (free from Egg), I flew from London, off season, didn't take their offer of an expensive second place instead booking my girlfriend onto the same Easyjet flights for a fraction of the price, and sorted out my own hotels. Doing the above I enjoyed 2 bargain flights to Barcelona and Rome.