Europe, especially the UK, is awash with "cheap" airlines that will take you to all sorts of places (usually to airports about 50 miles from where you want to end up) for literally one penny! "Hooray" you cry. "I'll have some of that please". But then the "extras" kick in. Taxes and fees, a charge to check in online, much more if you do it at the airport. A charge to put your luggage in the hold. A charge for anything that you eat or drink on the flight and one airline is even considering whether the use of a toilet could attract an extra charge too. That penny soon turns into tens or even hundreds of pounds. However, that's what you have to expect from rubbishy carriers. At least they are blatant about wanting to make money from you and not caring too much about your experience. Now however, BA are doing it. They have decided to start charging for you to sit on the plane. I mean you will get a seat, but if you want to sit together as a family/group, you may have to pay for it. If you want an aisle seat instead of the window seat they have booked you into, you have to pay for that. Having paid several hundred pounds for a ticket in the first place I think that it's a bit much to then start charging you again. Maybe I am in a minority. Do you resent paying extra on top of your flight ticket?
[question posted by p1kef1sh]
responses and comments:
Hi plkefish, none of this actually suprises me and I'm sure there will be more innovations they can yet charge for. By adding all these charges separately though they are of course creating a mountain of extra paperwork which someone needs to be paid to do and people will only be prepared to be treated as stupid so many times before they stop being attracted to the 'cheaper' head line deals. The last time I flew the plane was not nearly full and there was a row of empty seats in front of me, the ones with leg room by the exit doors. We were not allowed to move into these empty seats without paying some ridiculous onboard extra charge - I can understand if they want to make extra at booking time for these seats but to refuse to let anyone sit in them mid flight is just bad customer relations and rules gone mad.thumbdown [thea09]
Yes P1key I do resent having to pay extra on top of what my flight ticket is, Especially If I have paid a fortune for the ticket to begin with! I once had to pay almost $1,500.00 for a ticket from Amsterdam to Los Angeles and if they had charged me for eating, checking in my luggage or going to the restroom I would have been furious And peed in the aisle when I had to go! However! When I was quoted the price for the ticket I was fully aware that I was not done paying. I Knew I had to pay for airport tax and regular taxes on the ticket so I can't say I was surprised, I have been paying airport tax and regular taxes for years so I guess I am just use to it. I have seen some of those airlines advertised that you have spoken of where they will get me somewhere "close" to where I want to go for a penny and when I hear that I Know it is going to cost more! No one is going to take me Anywhere, not even the corner store, for one penny! While it is frustrating I Know when you think you are getting a bargain at a penny, you would Think that people Must know, unless it is one of those airlines that you all have to flap your arms in order to get airborn and continue to flap your arms all the way to your destination, that one penny is not All that you will have to pay...after all, they have to make some money also in order to stay in business. The Stupid part about it is, you would Really be surprised at just how many people Believe they can get from one place to another for a penny! Oh! and as far as the sit tax you were speaking about...I have some relatives that I Would Pay The Airline to sit them the entire airplane Away from me!! lol [greeneyedlady]
lol Oh P1key And Hatley I Do so Love your sense of humors!! LOL [greeneyedlady]
Hello happy I resent having to pay extra and think it's just another way for them to add to the fat cat salaries and bonuses of those executives who run the airlines. Those 'penny' flights are always attractive but having looked at one last month, the cost of the flight was £1.99 and the total amount once all the extrasa had been added came to just under £75.00 shocked I do wonder why they bother to advertise cheap flights, I would prefer to have one total cost. As for charging for you to sit in the seat of your choice, that is just taking things too far! You have to pay all the taxes in the cost of the ticket, which include the ever increasing price of fuel) so a seat is a seat, why should we be charged for wishing to sit near a window! What about the people who do not like flying at all and have to sometimes. Some of those may want to be next to family to help them through the worry and stress, they certainly should not be charged for it. [sunnysmiles]
lol That is so very true! I am waiting for small slots to appear on the door to the toilets onboard a plane as I am sure it will not be long before they charge us to spend a penny. [sunnysmiles]
I have traveled from the UK to Italy return, the UK to Portugal return and the UK to Latvia return with two cheap airlines. The seats on board are cramped together and uncomfortable. When I took my toddler son to Latvia the luggage allowance was 15 kilos. It was incredibly challenging to have one bag between the two of us weighing that or less. I ended up having to pay extra for the airline to carry the 5 kilo travel cot. On my first budget flight I took my oldest son to Italy when he was about five years old. There was a rush for seats. The seats weren't allocated in advance. We arrived and then had to get two buses to our destination. Nowadays it is common place for airlines to say passengers have to pay extra for in advance seat selection. I like a window seat so I can't risk not getting one of those. When I traveled with my toddler son the airline I went to South Africa with had different ideas about where we should sit. They wanted us to have a middle seat with lots of space but I wanted a window seat. What I must hate about going through an airport is the rules about liquids. I miss taking a water bottle. They are always suspicious about baby's bottles. I don't want to taste it. I say it is my baby's drink not mine. Worryingly there have been some air crashes lately. Flying isn't as much fun as it used to be with all the extra charges. [maximax8]
I used to fly a lot (several times a month) all over the world and always preferred an aisle seat. But the idea of having paid for my seat already and then having to pay again is just absurd. No one likes a middle seat on flights, especially short haul where they tend to be much smaller. So how about a discount if I elect to sit in one? [p1kef1sh]
I do resent those extra charges! As a result, I don't fly. Not that I have anywhere to go, but I would rather drive. My sons and I travel to another state each Christmas to see their grandparents on their dad's side and rather than spend all the money flying, we drive. Over here in America, they're now charging for every single piece of luggage other than carry on items. They're thinking of charging for those! Just goes to show that a bargain can be quite expensive! shocked [dragon54u]
Ship might be expensive but think of the fun you and the Boss could have--a few weeks of a middle-aged honeymoon with a visit to the daughter! That sounds like it would be worth the investment, it's something you'd remember together with thrills and giggles for the rest of your lives! blushhappy [dragon54u]
BA is one of my favorite airlines. I always choose BA to fly between Beijing and London, so far I'm satisfied with the service I have received from them. it's a little dodgy to charge more for choose seats. I feel upset to hear the news. however for now I have not came across it and I don't think I will need the special service because I always travel by myself. anyway if the passegers don't like the option mabye one day they will delete it. so passgers will be back to have free choice. Who knows what will happen next? best regards. [sblossom]
Single passengers will probably be OK under BA's policy. It's if you travel accompanied that the problem sets in. Next time you come over please come to Salisbury. I am a guide at the Cathedral and would love to show you round. I saw that you visited Battle Abbey and its 13th century gatehouse. Now ruined mostly. I can show you a building started in 1220 and still being used for its original purpose. Plus one of only four existing copies of Magna Carta from 1215! [p1kef1sh]
Hi p1key, That to me is extortion, I hve travelled to many places before and after hearing that, I'd rather stay in our country, Glastonbury bury is good enough place for me to go when I wnat to get away, lol> hus, Tamara xxxx [tamarafireheart]
Flights to Glastonbury are much cheaper Tamara! LOL. XXXX [p1kef1sh]
I do feel it is a bit absurd to charge all you fliers for those things...however, as I never intend on getting on a plane, it doesn't bother me at all. If I need to cross the pond, I'll just use my super-human abilities and fly over on my own. [The_Lamb_Lies_Down]
"Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It's Lamb Man superhero"! LOL. [p1kef1sh]
I think that airfares quoted/charged should include any taxes and normal charges. It's not unfair to pay a bit extra if you have extra baggage, or for other accomodations that are above and beyond what's normal. If I was feeling punchy, I'd call the 'penny' airline to book a flight. Tell them up front that the call is being recorded. Let them know that you're mailing your luggage to your destination, bringing your own food and beverage, and you will be flying without checking in. If they advertise being able to travel for a penny...that's exactly what you want to do. I'm sure some one could have a lot of fun with this conversation...not the ticket agent however. lol [catdla1]
That's just it. You can fly for a penny. It's the ancillary things that cost. Of course you can't get through security without a boarding card which you can only get by checking in. So they have you all ways. Grrrrr. [p1kef1sh]
Hey p1key! Yes! I think that the airlines have lost their friggen minds! It is true that now they are all going crazy! They are trying to make you pay extra for everything so their "cheap tickets" are not cheap at all! By the time they finish charging you for everything it is not a bargain at all! And yes, they are doing this here in the US too! And yes, they are actually thinking about charging to use those disgusing things they call a toilet! And charge you to sit in a seat? They don't allow you to stand, so WTF? Can you stand against the side of the plane on takeoff? And of course now you MUST pay for checking your baggage! And that is anywhere from $15-$25 per bag! And if you don't pay for your ticket online you are now charged a penalty fee for bothering them when you arrive at the airport! This has gotten so out of control! When I left from Florida since my Mom didn't have a computer and I couldn't check in online I got a penaltly because I had to check in at the airport! WTF? And I got another penalty for having to check my baggage and pay for it there! [Opal26]
I think that it is all ridiculous. I really wish that someone would make a stand. There is a bit of a backlash here, but not as much as there should be. The trouble is that in Europe these flights are very popular, especially with the young, with people that don't mind roughing it a bit. Even wit all the extra charges they are still cheaper than scheduled airlines - except BA by the looks of things. I just hate the deceit. [p1kef1sh]
oh pikey thats just plain greedy of the airlines.I would really resent all those extra charges,it is hard enough to scrape up the initial payment without them adding more and more onto it. wow.that would make you wish you had wings and could just fly? oh my I have been mylotting much too long today. Wings indeed.oh well I am tired for sure.angryninjathumbdown [Hatley]
Well why not Hatley. A pair of wings would come in very useful. LOL. [p1kef1sh]
Geez, I still haven't gotten over the idea of having to pay for headphones for the movies... Earlier this month we flew our nephew up from Los Angeles for the twins' birthday party and found out that the airline is now charging a $25 check in fee for unaccompanied minors. EACH WAY. angry Bah humbug... [dawnald]
Some of the airlines actually sell the headphones now. I bought a set once. Guess what, it didn't work on a different airline. angry [dawnald]
hiya Pikey You're putting me off flying... ever! lol I think it's ridiculous that airlines are conning people so much, maybe you shouldn't have mentioned a loo charge, someone could be reading this discussion! I do hope to fly one day, but would resent paying for all the hidden extras. Alice happy [Aliceinwebland]
lol be sure to pack plenty of socks! whistle [Aliceinwebland]
All I have to say is I am glad I have not flown for a bit. That which you are talking about is just plain bad business. Thanks for the heads up, I may end up flying soon and that is good to know. I think I will fly Contenental if I do fly. (oh spelling check on Contental.) Ainge [Aingealicia]
It concerns me that where BA goes others will follow Ainge. I haven't flown for a year - we flew Singapore Airlines and they were very civilised. Personally I think that if one or two major businesses voted with their feet the the airlines might think again. My last employer spend £4 MILLION with BA per year. Now that's a major customer. If they pulled out then I'd be interested to see what they'd do to get the custom back. [p1kef1sh]
Oh yes i do resent having to pay extra. What really gets me is the airlines that you are travelling over seas or a great distance and they charge you to have a bag...carry on or in the hold. I figure with seats though I'll take what i'm given and if they WANT me to change my seat with someone else then they better not charge me. [saundyl]
I wouldnt go. I honestly would rather drive places than fly. Some places i just cant if i wanna go though. [saundyl]
Hi ya p1kef1sh They seem to have you over a barrel these days don't they? The thing is with these cheap flights is that you have to check you baggage in, you are not allowed to take hand luggage (well a small handbag size) so like you say they charge you the earth for it. I think it is terrible charging you extra to sit with your family though I wouldn't care too much if I had an aisle seat or window seat, I am not a huge fan of flying anyway!! Will you be going out to see your daughter soon? How is she getting on? [Humbug25]
She hopes and we will surprise her hopefully. [p1kef1sh]
Hi p1key, as I have stopped flying now it makes me grateful that I don't, there are always catches with these supposed one penny cheap holidays, but it is downright ridiculous to start charging to go toilet on the plane...their loos anyway aren't always that clean to start with I think I would rather do my best to wait if flying to a destination no matter how long it took...well thats if it possible...hugs LoLo [littleowl]
It is ridiculous LoLo. People don't need or want to be confused. They just want to travel safely and in comfort. XXXX [p1kef1sh]