Ryanair. Enough said.

[mjheathcote]

Just had my dad around to print off his boarding cards for a visit to Spain next week, flying tomorrow, with Ryanair.
Checking in, it was forcing to pay extra for allocated seating.
From what I could make out, to avoid paying for allocated seating you can only check in less than 2 days before the flight, but he is flying tomorrow afternoon.
Haha, both outward AND return flights have to be less than 2 days from checking in, and seeing he returns end of next week, he is forced to buy seat allocation for both outward and return flights, an additional £15, before he is allowed to check-in and print boarding cards.
I never fly with Ryanair unless absolutely forced too.

 

[conaero]

If it’s just me going somewhere I will use them, if travelling with the family, I’d rather not have the stress so shy away. EasyJet seem descent these days though.

 

[allandwf]

You get what you pay for. Budget prices , but pay more for seats, baggage etc. You need to weigh it up. I normally do KLM these days as fly around 8 trips a year and have access to lounges etc.

 

[mjheathcote]

Wasn't really budget price, on his own to Alicante out Monday, back Friday was over £200, he did book it only a couple of weeks ago though.
Personally do find Easyjet less stress free.

 

[midlifecrisis]

With Ryanair and other low-cost airlines they'll charge you for speedy boarding but the trick they're missing is speedy DEPARTURE.

 

[Moz1000]

I fly Ryanair a lot from Bournemouth to Alicante. To have randomly allocated free seats you can only check-in no more than 2 days before the flight. But this is for each way. So Mike, I think you made a mistake, unless things have changed which I haven't been informed of (I last flew 3 weeks ago). I will say in your defense, the website can be a little confusing if you are not a regular user.
Moz

 

[Zep]

If it’s just me going somewhere I will use them, if travelling with the family, I’d rather not have the stress so shy away. EasyJet seem descent these days though.

At least with EasyJet you don’t get a free head injury!

 

[Wanderer]

I house-share with two Ryanair pilots. Captains no less. They're both 28 years old......

 

[D Walker]

I used to book mine and could do them superset. The obvious alternative is you can sit where ever you are allocated for free. To put it into context my Klm return flights to Denmark were £300. My Ryan Air were betweeen £19 and £50. Return!!!!!!!

 

[mjheathcote]

I fly Ryanair a lot from Bournemouth to Alicante. To have randomly allocated free seats you can only check-in no more than 2 days before the flight. But this is for each way. So Mike, I think you made a mistake, unless things have changed which I haven't been informed of (I last flew 3 weeks ago). I will say in your defense, the website can be a little confusing if you are not a regular user.
Moz

No, absolutely no mistake, 24 hours before flight and it gave no option to proceed without paying for seat allocation, or allocate seat within 48 hours, which throwed you out without check-in... but the flight was in 24 hours. Could have been an error on their website, but what do you do? Elderly dad getting frustrated, easiest option to pay for seat allocation and get on with it.

On top of this he has booked car hire through them, then discovered they want a credit card deposit on car collection...he doesn't have a credit card only debit card. He has spent all last week ringing the car hire helpline...the number is never answered, check it myself too, just rings never answered.
So when he arrives tomorrow night, he doesn't know whether they will let him have the hire car.

 

[Wanderer]

No, absolutely no mistake, 24 hours before flight and it gave no option to proceed without paying for seat allocation, or allocate seat within 48 hours, which throwed you out without check-in... but the flight was in 24 hours. Could have been an error on their website, but what do you do? Elderly dad getting frustrated, easiest option to pay for seat allocation and get on with it.

On top of this he has booked car hire through them, then discovered they want a credit card deposit on car collection...he doesn't have a credit card only debit card. He has spent all last week ringing the car hire helpline...the number is never answered, check it myself too, just rings never answered.
So when he arrives tomorrow night, he doesn't know whether they will let him have the hire car.

TBF I don't know of any car hire firm that will take a marker on a debit card, it's not possible.

 

[Doohickey]

I've used Ryanair a few times and have always had the option of checking in without paying. You just don't get seats together if there's more than one of you flying and no priority boarding. You also run the risk of having your hand luggage taken off you and put in the hold. Not sure what's happened with your dad.

Also agree with Wanderer; the car hire Ts&Cs usually state that you need a credit card to be able to hire.

 

[Dan!]

If you ask Sixt nicely they will give you a car with a debit card rather than credit. Don't take "no" for an answer and speak to a manager. The downside is you pay list price, no deals. Very annoying paying twice the price for Corsa compared to what the bloke next to you is paying for a 3 series beemer, but less annoying than walking.

The free random seat allocation is alive and well, you just have to find it. It's next to the big yellow button for selecting your seats, only it's greyed out and camouflaged!

Given that I fly Ryanair every week, they're fine if you know the "hacks" and play by the rules. Expect something out of the ordinary and you'll be disappointed.

 

[midlifecrisis]

I fly Ryanair a lot from Bournemouth to Alicante. To have randomly allocated free seats you can only check-in no more than 2 days before the flight. But this is for each way. So Mike, I think you made a mistake, unless things have changed which I haven't been informed of (I last flew 3 weeks ago). I will say in your defense, the website can be a little confusing if you are not a regular user.
Moz

And what a fantastic airport EGHH is... Excellent facilities, radar, nav aids, comms...

 

[Gazcw]

No, absolutely no mistake, 24 hours before flight and it gave no option to proceed without paying for seat allocation, or allocate seat within 48 hours, which throwed you out without check-in... but the flight was in 24 hours. Could have been an error on their website, but what do you do? Elderly dad getting frustrated, easiest option to pay for seat allocation and get on with it.

On top of this he has booked car hire through them, then discovered they want a credit card deposit on car collection...he doesn't have a credit card only debit card. He has spent all last week ringing the car hire helpline...the number is never answered, check it myself too, just rings never answered.
So when he arrives tomorrow night, he doesn't know whether they will let him have the hire car.

Hmmm. I refuse to fly with them. Did you check both flights for check in? That may be why it was throwing up the charge as that is over 2 days away.

 

[ChrisQP09]

AerLingus every day.

 

[Wanderer]

AerLingus every day.

I'm at Aer Lingus!

 

[Excalibur]

I house-share with two Ryanair pilots. Captains no less. They're both 28 years old......

‘There’s old pilots, and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots’

 

[Devonboy]

I hate Ryanair. When they have the best slots and there is no choice - the only solution is to add every upgrade you can and bring quality headphones!

 

[CatmanV2]

I hate Ryanair. When they have the best slots and there is no choice - the only solution is to add every upgrade you can and bring quality headphones!

Noise isolating headphones are the bomb

C