Miscellaneous Forum

The only difference will be that the 6 euros will now be included in the original price, they are not doing away with it. I don't understand all of the hysteria around airline pricing policies, they are clearly set out before you have to commit your card details. It's easy enough, though time consuming, to reach the final total, then look at the alternative flights available. If a company is conducting business in a way that provides a service people obviously want with a pricing structure that makes them a profit why should they be forced to change it. It's not as if the extra charges are slotted in after the payment has been made.

True, but most of us are swayed to purchase "cheaper" ticket, because the likes of Ryanair advertise €7 one way ticket.. and the add ons pile up after that. I was talking with another VT-er and she was getting ticket to Morocco, well the budget airline was more expensive, than the normal flight with AirMarroc, and it started out cheap. That was only reason she lost time booking with easyjet... Anyway come December. there will be cap on how much the airlines can charge for processing your card payments. But no doubt they will find another way to make their money..

Potato, potato. The price you pay won't change, just how it is presented. Those who use budget airlines know the charges and how to add them all on when comparing prices.

I agree that it doesn't change prices, it just makes the add-on costs more transparent. Most of the VT gang here has traveled enough to have an awareness of extras but I understand that they've been a pitfall for new, inexperienced travelers or older people who haven't flown for a long time. The same people who do not seem to have an understanding of how to find info on the net are probably the same people who don't know to look for/read the fine print on airline websites or third-party booking sites?

Excellent link Tina, thanks for that and also an excellent result, I think. I know many VT members use low-cost airlines and are happy with them, fair play and by all means do so if you are happy with them. Far be it from me to tell you how to travel. It is no secret on VT that after very bad experiences I will not fly them any more, that is my choice as it is the choice of others who do choose to fly them. George, I would disagree that the prices are "upfront" and this will not change the prices. It will, however, force these airlines to be more honest in their advertising which is really what this is all about. I'll bet their respective advertising agencies are now pulling their hair out trying to think of new ways to present the product when forced to headline the real price of it.

These airlines will find other ways to rip their customers off. Wasn't Ryanair for example thinking of charging people for using the toilet on the plane? But as long as they are cheaper than other carriers I'll fly with them even if they annoy me from time to time.

i don't mind paying 6 euros card processing for a flight if my flight is cheaper. My wife and i have return ticket from Palawan to Manila in sept for 4 pesos total,but i don't mind the 1,400 ($30)booking fee and fuel surcharge., we are happy. Just read all the details when u r booking so you understand what you are paying for!

Four pesos? Nice one. Who is that, Air Phil Express? Cebu? Zest?

Airphilexpress. Sept 1 to Manila, sunday we visit cemeteries after seeing prog on TV about the 15,000 people living in the cemetery,Sunday evening visit recommended restaurant in Ermita, Monday go to Indian Embassy for visa, mon+tues overnight Tagaytay ( wife never been there) Thurs back to PPC

"This is a great outcome for the millions of people who buy flights online. It is important that the cost presented when they search for a flight is realistic and they are not surprised by extra charges. Otherwise it is harder for them to shop around for the best deal," says Clive Maxwell, the OFT's chief executive. sure, it's a great outcome for milions... clive is very clEveR he thinks everybody is like him who sees how much for extra-charges, not the total amount of the cost... imho at end these mandatory costs IN SOME WAYS will be added, won't be inclued anymore so if you ask for a refund (also for natural disaster, death) you can forget to have administrative fees back.

I think it makes charges *less* transparent because they will simply be included in the fare and none of us will know what is being charged for the transaction. Nothing has ever been hidden: all charges are always clearly displayed well before you start the payment process. There is never any compulsion to fly with any budget carrier. So the obvious answer for those who complain about such charges is not to fly with that particular airline. There is always an alternative. But, of course, people want budget fares and far too many also seem to expect mainstream service to go with those budget fares....

Budget or no budget all airlines will try to get as much as they can from customers and and customers will always will find something to complain about even if the flight was free.My only complaint is the cabin crew wasn't as good looking as they were on my previous flight they have to hire better looking ones or I won't fly with them again.

@Benazer, i assume you don't fly with KLM then?