Easyjet charging £1419 more to change flights

perlaki

Easyjet announced that there would be no fees to change flights. Sounds good, I'm happy to change my flight... however, to change my flight to next year in 'manage bookings' would cost £416 extra. Here's the main problem - if I was a new customer, the same flight would cost £29! Overall, I was quoted £1419 extra to change my flights for 2 adults.
I was due to fly tomorrow to France from UK , but the borders are closed so we can't fly obviously. 
Easyjet won't give me refund as the flight is still available for tomorrow -  I presume just to repatriate French citizens. 
It seems I will now lose all money for my flight which I can't take (my insurance from L&G doesn't cover pandemics!). 
This is not right, and surely will only reflect badly on how they dealt with this. I tried calling again, but after 1.3hrs on hold I gave up. 
Why aren't prices to change flights the same as a new customer? This is extortion at a very stressful time. Anyone else had trouble changing flights they can't cancel? 
Here's normal price...


... and the same flights if I want to change - slight difference...

kimmyf

Had the same email from easyjet...Ridiculously increased prices 

perlaki

Update - good news is they've now allowed us to cancel the flight. Wish they had done this earlier to save 2.5hrs on hold on phone. 
Anyway, now back to isolation and trying to stay positive

tash75

I'm having same issue for April flights which i want to change to December - not as massive - but same principle, if i was to book as a new customer the flights would cost £126.00 however to change flights will cost £135.00 when i paid £100 for the flights origininally surely i should only be paying the difference £26??  I know not massive numbers and i know alot of people are in a much worse postition but it is false advertising and feels like easyjet trying to take advantage...

Ganga

tash75 said:

I'm having same issue for April flights which i want to change to December - not as massive - but same principle, if i was to book as a new customer the flights would cost £126.00 however to change flights will cost £135.00 when i paid £100 for the flights origininally surely i should only be paying the difference £26??  I know not massive numbers and i know alot of people are in a much worse postition but it is false advertising and feels like easyjet trying to take advantage...

So you are saying that you would happily pay the £26 fee but not £35 !!  

maman

Sadly it's very common (at all times, not just now) to tell a half truth when people are entitled to a refund. Martin and, for example, Simon Calder often highlight this.
I have a June flight booked with Easyjet. It's almost certain it won't be running so I'm expecting a refund rather than relying on my insurance. 

tash75

Ganga said:

tash75 said:

I'm having same issue for April flights which i want to change to December - not as massive - but same principle, if i was to book as a new customer the flights would cost £126.00 however to change flights will cost £135.00 when i paid £100 for the flights origininally surely i should only be paying the difference £26??  I know not massive numbers and i know alot of people are in a much worse postition but it is false advertising and feels like easyjet trying to take advantage...

So you are saying that you would happily pay the £26 fee but not £35 !!  

No I'm saying they want me to pay £135 ontop of the £100 i already paid so a total of £235.00 for flights which would only be £126.00 if i booked as a brand new trip.  Perhaps i didn't explan properly - the £135.00 was ontop of what i already paid for my flight originally of £100.00.  So a total change fee of £135.00 instead of what should be £26.00.

tash75

maman said:

Sadly it's very common (at all times, not just now) to tell a half truth when people are entitled to a refund. Martin and, for example, Simon Calder often highlight this.
I have a June flight booked with Easyjet. It's almost certain it won't be running so I'm expecting a refund rather than relying on my insurance. 

yes, i'm thinking i will book the December flights seperately and wait for a refund of the April flights.  I listen to Martin alot and was trying to follow his mantra of swap or take a voucher to help airlines etc - but if they are going to charge us more for the privilage then i won't  bother and get my refund.  I also have flights booked in May which i guess i will have to do the same thing.

TonyM19

I did swap some flights from April this morning.  They were Easter holday flights (my pratner works in a school).  Tried for October and February half term after they had opened up the winter schedule but all sold out.  Moved to August (for £2.00) more as a holding point to move them again in case things havent improved.  Also have flights for May.  I understand that they 'might' happen (but I wouldn't bet on it).  How do I pursue a refund rather than a move if we are still being advised not to travel?  I'm all for supporting the airline etc, but what if there are genuinely no other flights I can take?