Ryan Air - help needed

Andrew_Devon

Hi, new to MSE as you can see and I'm asking for some help. Hoping that the internet can spread the message and find that one person who can help me.

I booked fights with Ryan Air in December for travel in February, just been to the website to check in and realized I have made an awful mistake, instead of booking the return flight for 9th Feb I've booked it for 9th March. Looks like I can change the flights for a cost of over £550.

This is supposed to be a 1 week family holiday to Lanzarote and yes I made a mistake but I simply cannot afford to pay another £550. I've 3 children who are expecting to go away next weekend and at the moment this looks in doubt.

I'm hoping someone will see this message who can help.

Thanks

Andrew

busiscoming2

I'd say the only option you have are either pay the £550 or not go at all and lose all that you have paid.

Always check and double check.

Saint_Chris

Hi


Ryanair charge a lot for mistakes, have you priced up how much it would be for you to book another return flight, and not just check with ryanair, try other flight companies.

good luck

rocking69

Just check the cheapest return fare to come back with any airline as OP mentions. Also ring Ryanair in case they will do something to help regarding the admin fee's etc. I normally find them surprisingly quite helpful on the phone.

pamthomp

Ouch, this has always been one of my dreads, particularly as I book a lot of flights in my job. I agree with the other poster, look at booking them again either with Ryanair or another airline. I once paid £100 to change a name on a flight reservation with Ryanair only to find that it would have been half the price to do a whole new reservation. Ryanair also were the only airline not to refund the airport tax after the ash cloud incident. The term 'low cost' is a myth/marketing ploy so I would always recommend to check all costs for changes, additional baggage etc. before committing to an airline. You would be amazed how the cost suddenly becomes more expensive than a normal airline when taking everything into consideration.

Good luck with trying to sort it out, I don't think you will get much change from Michael O'leary!!

melb

if you can't find cheaper flights ring them at 9.00 am on the dot tomorrow morning and throw yourself on their mercy. Hopefully they will realise it is unlikely you would have booked a 5 week holiday with 3 school age children. Please give it a try - you never know!

mad_rich

Sorry to hear this. Sounds like an aboslute nightmare, and something which can happen to anyone.

I think you should forget any idea of Ryanair doing you a favour. The change fees are what they are, and they won't budge. (But, as others have said, check out the cost of a new booking.)

Thinking laterally, I would suggest going to skyscanner.net, and looking for something there. You can ask it to search for flights from Lanzarote to 'UK' and it will include all airports. You might not want to come back to the other end of the country, but it's good to see all your options.

Can you come home a little earlier or later? Avoiding the Saturday might open up something.

For example I can see Thomas Cook Lanzarote-Bristol on Sunday 10 Feb for £20 (not including bags and booking fees etc.)

Realistically, how much can you afford to rescue the holiday? I'm sure between the heads on here we can find something.

Bob_the_Saver

pamthomp wrote: »

Ryanair also were the only airline not to refund the airport tax after the ash cloud incident.

Bo***cks

I was sat on the tarmac at Stansted (well in a 737) the first morning
as the effect of the ash cloud hit. The only time I've ever had a cancellation with Ryanair. I got a FULL REFUND, every last penny.

Sorry OP I can't add to the advice given by others but I find it refreshing that you accept responsibility. I hope that you do manage to sort something out and have a good holiday.

budgetflyer

mad_rich wrote: »

.

For example I can see Thomas Cook Lanzarote-Bristol on Sunday 10 Feb for £20 (not including bags and booking fees etc.)

Realistically, how much can you afford to rescue the holiday? I'm sure between the heads on here we can find something.

Yes, I would book that and then just get a bus from Bristol to wherever.
Damage limitation

I wouldn't even waste a phone call trying to amend the Ryanair flights. Even in the unlikely event they scrubbed the amendment fee, the actual cost of the flights will probably be through the roof so close to departure

jpsartre

pamthomp wrote: »

I once paid £100 to change a name on a flight reservation with Ryanair only to find that it would have been half the price to do a whole new reservation.

So basically *you* didn't bother check the cost beforehand and that's somehow the airline's fault. As for your comment about tax refunds and the ash cloud, I think Bob covered that pretty well. You're definitely mixing up something because you're entitled to a full refund if your flight is cancelled, not just taxes, and I've never heard of anyone that wasn't offered that by Ryanair.

ciaranhanley

I've booked flights on my credit card going over and back the same day for a football match in Feb.

unfortunately for me the football has been postponed.

I didn't get travel insurance because I'm supposed to have travel insurance with my bank but I've found out that only covers illness or injury.

I've contacted bank to see if I can recall the purchase on my credit card. it's about £70.

do you think the bank can do this?

any other options?

was gonna bring the wife for a day of shopping but the prices have jumped up to near £200