BOOKING
FLIGHTS ONLINE
Have you tried to book cheap air fares on the
internet?
The advertised prices often appear great value, but it’s only when you
actually go to book them that you find out the real price, once the taxes have
been added on.
A listener tells On Your Behalf he was trying to book cheap flights as advertised
with Flybe to Southampton - £21 one way including taxes and charges. There
weren’t any cheap flights weren’t available, so he looked further
for a good deal and found that the flights for two were £75 but the taxes
and security charges were as much again!
Well what is a security charge he wants to know?
Flybe tell us: The security
charge is an insurance premium which began after 9/11. At this
time all insurance premiums for airlines rocketed, some as much
as 500%. For 6 weeks after the event, the Government underwrote
this charge thereafter it became the airlines’ responsibility.
Some airlines like FlyBe,. show this as a separate charge, others
choose to absorb it into the fare.
Speaking On Your Behalf
the Air Transport Users Council says they feel that giving a total
price makes it easier for the consumer to compare prices.
Air Transport Users Council 020
7240 6061
What’s
been your experience of booking on line? Good
or bad we’d like to hear it.
• I book a lot of
flights online and it really annoys me that the airlines charge
you to use a credit card.
• If
you are going to book with internet airlines such as Easyjet you
really have no choice but to use a credit card. The charge can be
as much as £4.
I thought there was legislation passed that prevented companies for charging
for credit card transactions. Interestingly, British Airways do not charge
for credit card transactions. Also FlyBe charge £1 for switch transactions.
• My daughter and husband
couldn't make a flight from Leeds-Bradford. We have tried to reclaim
airport tax. They are refusing to refund it, saying it involves
issuing a 'document', and this would cost them £25
• I have a Capitol 1 card
and I had a bill that was due to be paid on the 12th Jan, and so
I posted payment on the 2nd. They say they have never received
the payment, and have charged me accordingly. Capitol 1 have been
very unhelpful, even though I have always paid on time. However,
the post office have been wonderful, and say that if send them
the receipt from Capitol 1 they will reimburse me. How do I know
they didn't receive the payment? I think they are taking advantage
of this situation.
• A Waringstown
man say - I had a similar problem with Barclaycard.
I think it is worth noting that that kind of automated post
has no postmark on it, so companies can blame you even if it
is their fault.
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