Etihad price gouging - beware super strict rules on baggage and misleading advertising

Pollycat

vpdbac said:

MeteredOut said:

The website does not advertise a 65% discount. It advertises a "up to 65%" (my bolding) discount. Very poor form, but they'll continue to do it while people fall for what is one of the oldest marketing gimmicks in the world (but many do, and not just with airlines).

See here for what happens if you wait till the airport (though this was booked via Expedia):

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6602010/etihad-charged-me-1600-at-the-desk-to-take-3-suitcases-to-australia-how-can-i-get-my-money-back/p1

Did you book direct with Etihad?

Whether anyone accepts it is price gauging or not will not change the outcome I'm afraid.

I have to agree with the OP when they write "this feels like a trap". 

I did not book directly with Etihad this time. TravelTrolley had strong ratings and were significantly cheaper. They have washed their hands of the whole thing.

Of course you have to agree with the OP.
You are the OP!

user1977

Pollycat said:

vpdbac said:

MeteredOut said:

The website does not advertise a 65% discount. It advertises a "up to 65%" (my bolding) discount. Very poor form, but they'll continue to do it while people fall for what is one of the oldest marketing gimmicks in the world (but many do, and not just with airlines).

See here for what happens if you wait till the airport (though this was booked via Expedia):

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6602010/etihad-charged-me-1600-at-the-desk-to-take-3-suitcases-to-australia-how-can-i-get-my-money-back/p1

Did you book direct with Etihad?

Whether anyone accepts it is price gauging or not will not change the outcome I'm afraid.

I have to agree with the OP when they write "this feels like a trap". 

I did not book directly with Etihad this time. TravelTrolley had strong ratings and were significantly cheaper. They have washed their hands of the whole thing.

Of course you have to agree with the OP.
You are the OP!

The OP in the thread linked to, not this thread...

daveyjp

So Etihad aren't price gouging.  A third party is advertising a very cheap no frills fare and punters are clicking buy before understanding why it is cheap?

Caz3121

Best to look at the price difference direct on the airline website as they show all the fare types side by side - the Value fare includes 25kg checked baggage and is only £20 more than the Basic fare each way on the random dates I checked...It is usually the case (any airline) that purchasing a fare that includes baggage is less expensive than purchasing the Basic and adding on the baggage fee.

Third parties attract those looking for the cheapest headline price which is not always the cheapest/best option depending on your situation. If looking at third parties, Expedia usually give an option that includes baggage and may be a few £ less than booking direct with the airline.

If there is ANY chance you may need any hold baggage, research first.
Etihad have information on their site re the cost of extra baggage. Although it can vary, for your routing it shows From $44 to $125 per 5kg ...so minimum cost for 25kg would be $220 each way and highest would be $625 each way so looks like your fee was closer to the lower end as the highest price is what they would charge at the airport....your price quoted looks like it was a 55% discount off the airport price. 
don't leave it to sort at the airport as the other poster did!

TheShape

OP, I'd see if you can pack enough in your hand lugage to see you through. 

The weather is such that you'll likely only need light/lightweight clothing most of the time.

That said, the hand-luggage allowance is pretty stingy with Etihad so be sure to check the allowed dimensions/weight.

bagand96

daveyjp said:

So Etihad aren't price gouging.  A third party is advertising a very cheap no frills fare and punters are clicking buy before understanding why it is cheap?

Caz3121 said:

Third parties attract those looking for the cheapest headline price which is not always the cheapest/best option depending on your situation. If looking at third parties, Expedia usually give an option that includes baggage and may be a few £ less than booking direct with the airline.

It's no different when booking direct.  When booking a BASIC Economy fare they don't include checked luggage.  However whilst most other airlines then have an option to add bags at a flat fee, Etihad don't - to add checked baggage to a BASIC Economy fare they charge excess baggage in 5kg increments.

Random search:




Basic is £206 with cabin baggage only.  Value only costs £20 more and includes 25kg hold baggage.  However if you book the BASIC fare and try to add a 25kg bag it will cost a whopping £162.05 (discounted from over £400!)



Definitely a case of buyer beware and understanding exactly what is being purchased.  I guess the OP assumed bags can be added for a reasonable flat fee but it's not how Etihad work.  The BASIC fare is clearly aimed at people who have no requirement to take hold bags.  They offer the Value fare for only £20 more including 25kg which is very good value.

And whilst I'm not here to defend the third party agent, a quick check of their site and they also appear to show all the options:

Caz3121

bagand96 said:

 It's no different when booking direct.  When booking a BASIC Economy fare they don't include checked luggage.  However whilst most other airlines then have an option to add bags at a flat fee, Etihad don't.  To add checked baggage to a BASIC Econmy fare they charge excess baggage in 5kg increments.

....

It's definitely a case of buyer beware and understanding exactly what is being purchased.  I guess the OP assumed bags can be added for a reasonable flat fee but it's not how Etihad work.  The BASIC fare is clearly aimed at people who have no requirement to take hold bags.  They offer the Value fare for only £20 more including 25kg which is very good value.

agreed
If the OP thought there was a chance of having to add baggage they could have checked out the likely cost before deciding to purchase a Basic fare (fee range available on the Etihad website)

There are 3 ways to purchase a ticket with baggage

• cheapest - buy a fare type that includes baggage
• next - buy basic fare and add baggage in advance online
• most expensive - buy basic fare and add baggage at the airport

Unless OP can manage with hand luggage only this could be a costly lesson

vpdbac

saajan_12 said:

Discounts and labelling as price gouging is all irrelevant as you didn't have a confirmed price (pre discount). You bought a certain ticket with no committment on the price of bags. They were under no obligation to offer bags as an add on after the fact, what if they had no space left? 

If you weren't sure of bags you could have (A) paid for a bag anyway to secure the price and taken the risk that you didn't need it, or (B) not paid for bags and taken the risk that you did need one. Option A risks a confirmed £x price option B risks an unknown £XXX amount. You chose A, which is perfectly valid if that was more likely but that doesnt' make it the airline's fault. 

I am happy to take full responsibility for my decision. I would happily pay a fair price to upgrade my ticket, or to purchase a bag. 

Being charged more than my ticket for a bag that weighs 1/4 of what I do and doesn't need a seat/meals/drinks/IFE/etc is much higher than considered reasonable by me. I consider it to be exploitative and unethical. 

I've flown with Etihad four times in the past two years. Never again. 

vpdbac

Ayr_Rage said:

There was a similar topic with either Etihad or Qatar a while ago.

You have to be very careful and check WHY the fare is so cheap, often it is because it includes a very small baggage allowance, no changes or refunds.

To be a MSE you need to read that small print.

The flight ticket summary stated "cabin bag only" which I took to mean no personal item allowed which I did check and it does mean this. "No refunds" and "no changes" which I took to mean the time/date/destination of the ticket. Luggage doesn't feel like a change in the ticket to me. 

I would happily upgrade my ticket or pay a reasonable amount for luggage. But I guess they don't want my money cause at £420 they are not getting any more from me. 

I've flown with them twice a year for the past two years. Never again. 

vpdbac

Pollycat said:

vpdbac said:

MeteredOut said:

The website does not advertise a 65% discount. It advertises a "up to 65%" (my bolding) discount. Very poor form, but they'll continue to do it while people fall for what is one of the oldest marketing gimmicks in the world (but many do, and not just with airlines).

See here for what happens if you wait till the airport (though this was booked via Expedia):

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6602010/etihad-charged-me-1600-at-the-desk-to-take-3-suitcases-to-australia-how-can-i-get-my-money-back/p1

Did you book direct with Etihad?

Whether anyone accepts it is price gauging or not will not change the outcome I'm afraid.

I have to agree with the OP when they write "this feels like a trap". 

I did not book directly with Etihad this time. TravelTrolley had strong ratings and were significantly cheaper. They have washed their hands of the whole thing.

Of course you have to agree with the OP.
You are the OP!

The OP of the thread that was linked in the post that I was replying to. 

You're as good at reading small print as I clearly am!