Ryanair visa check scam

tinmachine

This morning my daughter and her friend were travelling from manchester to Palma with Ryanair. Her friend has a Australian passport and required a visa check at Ryanair's checkin which she was aware of. Whilst in the queue she was told by a Ryanair's employee that she did'nt need a visa check and to proceed to security check. They went through security check and moments before boarding she was told she was unable to travel as she had not had her boarding card stamp and would have to pay 140 euros if she wanted to book on the next flight. People waiting in the queue said they would be witnesses stating that a member of staff from Ryanair clearly state that they did not require a visa check. My daughters friend was told at the gate she had five minutes to return to checkin to get her boarding card stamped and get back to the gate or else she would not be allowed on the flight. Fortunately she managed to get back in time for her flight. I have since researched and found out that this is a ryanair scam and many people have not been so fortunate and have missed their flights and had to rebook another flight at a lot higher price. I find it very hard to believe that ryanair can stoop so low as to tell their staff to lie to people to try to get more money from them. Its an absolute disgace and they need to be investigated.

mcfisco

I suspect incompetence rather than a scam here

tinmachine

According to "I hate Ryanair" website this scam as been going on for over three years.

budgetflyer

tinmachine wrote: »

According to "I hate Ryanair" website this scam as been going on for over three years.

With a site named "I hate Ryanair" you are not going to get a balanced, objective view are you?

As mcfisco says, more likely incompetence .No excuse though.

alanrowell

How is it a scam if it's a free service?

You are told that you have to do it several times and it's only your own fault if you can't be arsed to read them.

Ich_2

Just a point with this, (and to be honest most other airlines) that irrespective of the uniform they wear very few ground staff actually work directly for the airline but for a handling company.

tinmachine

I agree but surely the airport staff should be aware of the current regulations and not mislead passengers with false information which could result in them missing their flights and having to pay extortional prices for the next available flight. My daughters friend was told at checkin that she did not need a visa check and she must proceed to security checkin, she was given the incorrect information by a member of staff. This is not an isolated case and they need to give proper training to staff. How dare they give people incorrect information then expect them to bear the consequences.

Mk14:37

tinmachine wrote: »

My daughters friend was told at checkin that she did not need a visa check and she must proceed to security checkin, she was given the incorrect information by a member of staff.

No, the information she was given was correct and you were right first time - this is clearly a scam.

Airline staff are not immigration officials and going through an airport gate is not going across a national border. Why on Earth would a traveller need a stamp on a boarding card?

budgetflyer

Because they would be responsible for getting her home if she was refused entry at the other end, due to lack of visa.

Mr_Wang

Mk14:37 wrote: »

No, the information she was given was correct and you were right first time - this is clearly a scam.

Airline staff are not immigration officials and going through an airport gate is not going across a national border. Why on Earth would a traveller need a stamp on a boarding card?

Common practice in many countries.