Unfair Airline Admin Charges

larrymca

I was just wondering if anyone knows whether or not it is legal for an airline to charge an admin fee 4 times on one booking!! I made a booking with Flybe for myself and my father and unfortunately we could not use the flights. I contacted the call centre to ask about a refund and I was told no, I would get nothing back. Subsequently I was made aware that I could claim back any unused charges such as fuel surcharges or taxes. The total of my fair was £135.96. The tax charged was £54.24 each. I was told that I could get a refund but I would have to pay an admin fee of £25 per person per sector. I find this ludricious as I made the booking at one time and not at different stages. Is it actually legal for airlines to charge this? I believe airlines are making thousands of pounds out of this scam!

Incapuppy

Did you cancel the flights or change the booking?

http://www.flybe.com/sitemap/default.htm


Changes are subject to the following charges

• Economy fares
  £25 per passenger, per single flight sector plus any difference between the fare paid and the lowest available fare for your new flights. If the new fare is lower, no refund applies

8. REFUNDS

With the exception of refunds made in connection with cancellation and Denied Boarding, our fares are non refundable. If you request a refund of taxes you will incur an administration charge.

saveapenny

Its not worh canceling the seat. They charge you then re sell the seat just ask when you check in to have the seat blocked by you as youhave paid for it so more comfort ( if you can do this)
I do think someone needs to step in with these rip off charges by airlines
£25 per sector for 2 minutes paper work is day light robbery

blue_haddock

Whilst the charges for cancellations are high, if indeed you can cancel at all i am glad that they are as it keeps the cost of tickets down. As ever with these things when you purchase the ticket you agree to the t&c's.

If you want a fully flexible refundable ticket feel free to fly with a ful fare carrier.

blue_haddock

In fact i have just checked with the flybe website and you could of booked economy plus tickets which are flexible. So you chose the cheaper tickets therefore you cannot complain when they won't alter or cancel them for free.

larrymca

It just annoys me that with regards to one booking they can charge 4 admin fees! At the end of the day it is one booking not 4

Engadine

saveapenny wrote: »

I do think someone needs to step in with these rip off charges by airlines
£25 per sector for 2 minutes paper work is day light robbery

Couldn't agree more saveapenny, these charges are ridiculous! As you say for 2 minutes paperwork! I'm sure most people would expect their to be a charge but the charge should be reasonable

LesD

saveapenny wrote: »

I do think someone needs to step in with these rip off charges by airlines
£25 per sector for 2 minutes paper work is day light robbery

I seem to remember there's a man round here somewhere who likes challenging 'unfair' charges!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having a go at these would benefit far more people than the VERY few who can't manage their finances well enough and pay bank fees!

blue_haddock

Thing is for everyone who books a flight then has to change it and complains at the cost to do so there are dozens of people who comply with the T&C's of the budget carriers and are happy with the service. Feel free to challenge the costs and charges but all you will do is push up the prices for other users.

So in future read the terms and conditions before signing up and paying for the flights and if your not happy don't book.

budgetflyer

LesD wrote: »

I seem to remember there's a man round here somewhere who likes challenging 'unfair' charges!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having a go at these would benefit far more people than the VERY few who can't manage their finances well enough and pay bank fees!

That man, may have got a result with bank charges or so it is percieved, but really the banks have just spread the charges (and the compensation) elsewhere, so the likes of me who havent incurred any charges are now paying for the wreckless.
My BOS /Halifax banking is now costing me more, and for less benefits!

I really dont want him to champion the cause of the wreckless traveler.It will just put overall costs up
For instance, I have 2 flights to Malaga-I cant go now- my choice. I booked them on the understanding they were NON REFUNDABLE cheap tickets.
I have just written the cost off and got on with things

IvanOpinion

I came across this as well, it is annoying but if you want a low cost ticket price you have to accept that they are going to male their money somewhere.

The other day I was pricing flights on flyBE. I can't remember the exact numbers but the calculations went something like this ... Ticket price £15, taxes and charges £25 .. total return for 2 people was about £160.

By playing around with the dates and times I then found some 'free' flghts (crack the champagne and roll on the good times). The calculation went something like .. Ticket Price £0, taxes and charges £40 .. total return for 2 people £160

I am still trying to figure out if I saved any money

Ivan