RYANAIR

Carsthomp

Booked flights to Majorca in February before the pandemic.  Due to travel 8th August but hotel is closed and cant take time off to quarantine.  Nearly £900 to change the flights.  Advise on MSE website is that Ryanair are not cancelling flights. No flight change fee for new bookings made after 10 June for July/August flights and after 17 July for September flights. 

Confused - why would I be penalised with a huge fee for trying to change the flight because I booked in February???

Browntoa

Because they were the terms and conditions you signed up to at that time .

They made a commercial decision to change them for later bookings , not fair but perfectly legal

Carsthomp

I didn't sign up to there being a global pandemic and the current situation

Caz3121

A commercial decision was made to encourage bookings from passengers that would be unlikely to be able to purchase travel insurance to cover cancellations. Many airlines did the same as otherwise their new bookings would have disappeared with few people prepared to take the chance on non-refundable flights and no available insurance. Those that booked prior to the pandemic should be able to make a claim on their policy.
Will your insurance not cover you?

Carsthomp

Is that travel insurance? We don't normally take travel insurance out until just before the trip..

[Deleted User]

Carsthomp said:

I didn't sign up to there being a global pandemic and the current situation

You didn't need to. 

Pandemics can often take place without authorisation from anyone.

bradders1983

Carsthomp said:

I didn't sign up to there being a global pandemic and the current situation

No but you signed up to purchasing a non refundable plane ticket. 

bradders1983

Carsthomp said:

Is that travel insurance? We don't normally take travel insurance out until just before the trip..

Oh dear christ 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Streaky_Bacon

The reason that they are allowing fee-free changes since June, is because, since June, they have been trying to tempt people to book new trips.

As you've already booked they don't care.

It is poor customer service, but that isn't a surprise for Ryanair.

Do you have insurance? FCO is currently advising against all but essential travel to the Balearic Islands, so you may have a valid insurance claim.

bradders1983

Streaky_Bacon said:

The reason that they are allowing fee-free changes since June, is because, since June, they have been trying to tempt people to book new trips.

As you've already booked they don't care.

It is poor customer service, but that isn't a surprise for Ryanair.

Do you have insurance? FCO is currently advising against all but essential travel to the Balearic Islands, so you may have a valid insurance claim.

No he doesnt. See above.

May as well close the thread now, deary me.

Carsthomp

This is the first time I have used the forum and some of you have been exceptionally helpful -thank you.  The others who have been flippant and quite rude - I am only seeking advice..