Ryanair makes check-in surcharge mandatory

Ryanair has announced that from May 20 it will charge passengers a £10 surcharge on return flights simply for printing out their electronic boarding pass.

The low-cost carrier is rolling out the mandatory fee at the same time as it abolishes airport check-in desks, which it had claimed were driving up its expenses.

Until now all Ryanair passengers have been able to check in online for free, but under the revised rules they will face a £5 surcharge each way.

What's more, anyone who turns up at the airport without their electronic boarding pass will have to fork out a hefty £40 for a "re-issue fee". That marks a fourfold increase on the charge the airline currently levies against passengers who use physical check-in counters.

Defending the new policy, Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara said the reduction to the airline's operating costs would enable it to pass on savings to passengers.

He added: "Passengers travelling without checked in bags have already embraced our online check-in service and the extension of this service to all passengers – including those with hold luggage and those travelling with infants – will allow all passengers to forever avoid check-in queues."

Promotional fares that are advertised as "Free," "€1" or "€5" are excluded from the new surcharge, though the £40 re-issue fee applies to all flights.

© Cheapflights Ltd

Comments

[Geoff Pilkington]

Why-o-why can Ryanair not say it will cost you £59 all-in to fly to a destination, instead of £1.99 and then all the charges added on? They say that thier aim is for everybody to fly for free - a free flight in my mind should cost me nowt. A free flight with Ryanair is free with additional costs added on, so its not free in the true spirit of the word. Dont get me wrong I've flown Ryanair many times and I like what they do, just not the way they add charges.

[Tina Mitchell]

I agree with above comment. I have also flown with Ryanair lots and their flights make travel on a regular basis attainable for me. However, I want the over all minimum cost at the start, and then the frills are up to me.

[Alan]

How about if you have a child? If you have an infant you HAVE to check in at the airport.

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Alan,

As Ryanair does not allow people travelling with an infant to check in online, you would have to pay the standard airport check-in fee and then apply for a refund.

More information can be found at Ryanair's Check-In FAQ.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[John Pallant]

The easy answer to the Ryanair issue is to fly with someone else. When their profits drop, they may finally start to put their customers first .Vote with your feet and watch them change their tune.

[Paul Vincent]

I'm flying from Newquay on 11/7/09 to Alicante return on 18/7/09 with my wife. Does anybody have any information on checking in and boarding passes, as the media says you have got to pay extra.

Many thanks, Paul.

[Heide Hanford]

Travelling is stressful enough without having to worry about changes in Ryanair's conditions. I selected the check-in at airport option two months BEFORE Ryanair changed its rules. What now? I am an OAP and can't afford more extra charges.

[Anita Wilkinson]

I have travelled with Ryanair many times, but after the next two flights already booked I will not fly with them again. I am going abroad for three weeks in August so can not print my return boarding cards before I go. I do not take a computer on holiday, so will be unable to go online to print return boarding cards. What do Ryanair suggest about this, other than paying £40 per person at the airport?

[Sharon McEwan]

After my last flight Ryanair made an announcement on landing stating "another Ryanair flight has landed on time". We were actually 30 minutes late!

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Paul,

Under the new system it costs £10 return to check in online. If you choose not to print off your own boarding pass, then you will have to pay a £40 re-issue fee at the airport.

Online check-in is available 15 days in advance, so you can print boarding passes for both legs of your journey before you depart.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Heide,

If you log in to Ryanair's Manage My Booking page, you should be able to switch your booking to the cheaper online check-in option.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[Geoff Pilkington]

It's still a cheek for Ryanair to charge us £10 for the privilege of using our own printer, ink and paper. Shouldn't we get a discount for using our own materials and time?

[Mick Turner]

According to my travel itinerary, I have already paid £19 airport check. Can Ryanair charge twice for the same service?

[Maureen H]

If you have your on-line boarding card, where do you go with your luggage, and how is it weighed etc?

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Mick,

These changes are not retrospective, so if you've already paid for airport check-in that will be a one-off fee and you should not be asked to pay again.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Maureen,

Ryanair will continue to operate luggage drop-off zones, where passengers can have their bags weighed and checked-in as per normal.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[Geoffrey Posner]

A few years ago, Ryanair were forced - I think by the Dept. of Trade and Industry (as it was then) - to make all their prices inclusive. Since there is no alternative to paying Airport Taxes and now Online Check-In, isn't now the time to force Ryanair to quote this all-inclusive price at the time of picking a flight. Of course, if they want to charge extra for the baggage they can, and for Priority Boarding. I'm referring to these non-avoidable charges. Oh and while we're at it, isn't it time the default Travel Insurance position on their website was 'No travel insurance' instead of the default charge that automatically pops up.

[Una]

Hi, I have booked for my family of 5 to go from Belfast to Liverpool and then Liverpool to Milan in July. I had selected the online check in option for us all as it was FREE - do I now have to pay £5 each for each flight or is it only bookings made after 20th May that will incur this charge. Can anybody shed any light on this?

Kind regards,
Una

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Una,

Ryanair's press release states that the £5 charge only applies to "new passenger bookings", so you should still be eligible for free online check-in.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[Una]

Hi, thanks for the info - was getting conflicting advice. Saves us £100.

Kind regards,
Una

[Gail]

As I do not have a passport I cannot check-in online. I use my driving licence as photographic ID. From May 20 does this now mean that I have to go to the expense of obtaining a passport for a Domestic Flight?

[Maureen Hill]

I booked my flight and also paid for checked-in baggage in the hold. I have printed my boarding pass as I understood this is the new procedure, but the boarding pass states one cabin baggage only. Am I still allowed to take my checked in baggage? Sorry, I am confused!

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Gail,

As you noted, Ryanair does not allow passengers to check in online if they are using their driving licence for photo ID. Unfortunately this means your only options are to obtain a passport, or pay the £40 airport fee.

Please also be aware that from October 1, 2009, driving licences will no longer be accepted as proof of ID on domestic Ryanair flights.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Maureen,

Your boarding pass should list the extras you paid for, in addition to your default cabin allowance of one carry-on item. If this information is missing, the best thing to do is to contact Ryanair Reservations and ask them to verify whether or not your request was processed.

It's definitely worth clarifying all of this before your departure, as the fee for an extra piece of luggage doubles to £20 if you pay for it at the airport.

Hope that's helpful,

The Cheapflights Team

[Maureen]

Thanks for your help. I phoned Ryanair and all is well - hold baggage already paid for, and boarding pass refers to hand baggage.

Maureen

[Mrs Sandhu]

I am flying to Girona on June 10, but am unable to print inbound boarding pass. There is no facility on the form, it only says "print your outbound boarding pass". Any suggestions please. Have faxed the problem to Ryanair customer dept, but no reply so far. Thanks.

[Audrey]

I have been flying back and forth to Dublin with my children for years and on all occasions they have never needed any photo ID. I last flew in May and again did not need any photo ID for my child. I booked another flight in May (firstly checking that the terms had not changed and my child did not need any ID - it stated he didn't). We fly on Saturday for his birthday and tonight I checked the website and it says that he needs ID and that should be a passport! Can anybody shed any light on this? I have in front of me information from their website downloaded in April (2009) stating that from October 1 the photo ID rule will apply. It's only May. Help!

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Mrs Sandu,

Online check-in for either leg of your journey is only available 15 days in advance. Depending on the amount of time you are spending abroad this may therefore mean that you will have to print your inbound boarding pass while you are overseas.

Hope that's helpful,

The Cheapflights Team

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Audrey,

Ryanair's Photo ID policy states that all children require valid travel documentation. It also says, however, that under-16-year-olds can be included on the passport of their accompanying parent.

While you're right to point out that the tightened photo ID regulations don't come into force until October, it might be a good idea to contact Ryanair Reservations anyway just to clarify your situation.

Hope that's helpful,

The Cheapflights Team

[Sharan]

Hi, I am travelling out to Girona on the 20th June and Ive checked in Online, its only gives me the outbound boarding pass and not the inbound? There is 9 business days to go wouldnt the inbound be available to print?

Also I booked the trip in March would that exclude me from charges pertaining to the inbound boarding pass fee?

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Sharan,

Ryanair's online check-in service is open from 15 days before your trip. If there is more than 15 days before now and your inbound flight then you will not yet be eligible to check in for the return leg.

Because you booked in March you should not be charged for printing your boarding pass. However, if you opt to check-in at the airport you may still have to pay the new higher £40 fee.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[Lynn]

I recently booked flight to Tenerife and was unable to print off boarding passes for either outward or incoming flight, therefore £40 charge was incurred. Will I be able to claim refund. tried to ring Ryanair to no avail. Who do i write to regarding this matter. Can you help please.

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Lynn,

For queries about refunds you are advised to contact Ryanair customer service by ringing your local Reservation Centre (call charges apply).

It is worth noting, however, that Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary has stated in the past that the airline operates a no-refund policy.

Good luck,

The Cheapflights Team

[Mel Davies]

Birmingham to Reus, two adults, 3-17 July: Thomson = £194 total with 20kg luggage each; Ryanair = £196 with 15 kg luggage each. WITH 20 KG RYANAIR = £272. That's £15 per kg... draw your own conclusions.

[Frank Maltais]

I fly every single weekend between London and Vienna (Friday night to Vienna/Bratislava, back on Sunday evening) and was also quite astonished after I showed up at Bratislava Airport to catch my Ryanair flight back to London. After queuing like everyone else in order to check in, the agent redirected me to the ticket counter where I had to pay an extra 40 euros for not having my boarding pass with me (as we all know the no boarding pass penalty fee).

After I explained that I did not know about and for a ticket that cost me £50 (GBP), I thought 40 euros was hard to swallow, plus even if I knew, I couldn't have been able to print it out as I had no access to any printer.

The best answer I got back from the Ryanair agent behind the counter was that I had to pay on the spot otherwise they wouldn't let me board, plus he added "not my fault if I work for a stupid airline", and he then threw a sort of user manual at me, well on the counter, into which all the Ryanair rules are written, and said that I could read it, the rule is in there. Voila! Wonderful. Thanks but no thanks, I'll stick to SkyEurope, Air Berlin, and easyJet for this route.

[Ruth]

If an individual is travelling within the UK and only able to use driving licence with photo ID, I understand that they are excluded from checking in online. They must therefore check in at the desk. Does this mean they will be charged an additional £40 by Ryanair?

[debbie]

We booked our flights in February. For airport check-in will we still be expected to pay the extra fee? I have only just heard about it and we fly in seven days.

[The Cheapflights Team]

Dear Debbie,

If you booked your flights last February you will not need to pay the check-in fees. This page on the Ryanair website (ryanair.com) states that the "online check-in fee is charged per person/per flight and applies to all passengers making new bookings from the 20th May 2009".

We hope this helps.

The Cheapflights Team

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Ruth,

Ryanair passengers who use their driving licence as photo ID must indeed check-in at the airport, and so will incur the £40 fee. Please note, however, that from October 1 driving licences will no longer be accepted by the airline as proof of identity.

For more info please check Ryanair's Photo ID page.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[Louise Hutchins]

Hi, I have booked return tickets to Alicante but can only print the outbound boarding pass. How can I obtain the inbound one, or is this only available 15 days before? Also where on the boarding pass does it relate to checked hold baggage?

[Michelle]

Hi,

I just purchased 2 tickets from Girona to Ibiza.
The ticket was 19.99 euros each and after taxes and fees its 118.00 euros.

We opted for the online check-in with baggage. Will we have to pay again to check in our baggage when we arrive at the airport?

Thank you

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Louise,

You will only be able to print your inbound boarding pass within 15 days of that flight. The pass should clearly state your checked baggage allowance (zero unless you purchased extra), and you can also verify this online at the Manage My Booking page.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Michelle,

You will not specifically be charged for using Ryanair's baggage drop-off facility; however, standard baggage fees will apply. To minimise these fees make sure you pay for your luggage online rather than doing so at the airport.

You can also check Ryanair's Table of Fees for more information.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[Susan Anderson]

Hello, there is four of us going to Ireland but one of us is still waiting for passport to arrive - can three of us check in online and can the other one check in at airport using driving licence as photo ID? We fly out on Aug 12th, return aug 17th.

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Susan,

You will each be able to print off your boarding cards individually, so there should not be a problem with just three of you using the online check-in facility.

Please be aware, however, that if your booking was made after May 20 then driving licences will not be accepted as proof of ID. For a list of accepted travel documents see Ryanair's Check-in FAQ.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[Steve]

Hi, can someone please shed some light on the self-printed boarding passes. I'm really concerned that when I print my boarding pass and I use it at Manchester Airport, that the machine at the boarding gate will swallow my PAPER boarding card up. I will then be stuck! Has this happened to any one? What would I do? Thanks

[Karen]

HI, I am using Ryanair for the first time. I have paid for my luggage and once I have printed my boarding passes (from home) where do I go at the airport? I fly out on 24.8.09. Thanks, Karen

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Karen,

Once you have successfully checked in online and printed your boarding pass you can progress straight to airport security. If you're travelling with check-in luggage, though, make sure you first visit the Ryanair Bag Drop zone (formerly known as its check-in desk).

Hope that's helpful,

The Cheapflights Team

[karen]

Hi,

I have managed to print off boarding cards for both legs of journey, but on the boarding card towards the bottom there are black marks across: - - - -

Does this mean you have to cut it, so that you can hand the bottom half in at gate?

Thanks,

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Karen,

The dotted lines on your Ryanair boarding pass demarcate the part of the document that gate staff will retain. However, we do not recommend that you tear the print-out yourself. Simply present the full document to the relevant staff.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[tony]

Hi,

I have printed boarding passes - they are on A4 paper. Is this ok to hand in or do I need to cut out?

Cheers,

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi Tony,

You can simply hand the A4 boarding pass in as it is, without cutting anything out.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[daniel]

I just travelled back from Girona and wasn't able to print off the inbound boarding passes for my family while on holiday so had no choice but to pay 160 euros to check-in at the airport. This is a blatant con and should be exposed as such and the DTI needs to come down hard and fast on Ryanair. It should be illegal... it is certainly daylight robbery. I travelled out from Stansted 15 days beforehand and the option to print the outbound flight was available but not the inbound, so unless you have internet during your holiday and you haven't already already printed the boarding passes for both flights, then you will have to pay 40 euros per person to check-in.

It's a disgrace. I have complained, but do not expect a response let alone a refund. I have simply put it down to experience.

[J Williams]

We have checked in with Ryanair online and, although we have entered our passport details they are not showing on the boarding pass. Is this usual? We have reprinted several times, each time entering the details but there is always a blank in this section.

Does anyone know please?

[The Cheapflights Team]

Hi J Williams,

We have checked for you and it is completely normal for both the 'Passport No.' and 'Passport Expiry' fields to be empty when you print your boarding pass.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[J Williams]

Thanks for your reply re the boarding passes. We were quite worried that there would be a problem at the airport when checking in. Phoning Ryanair is so expensive - if you can get through that is.

[Brenda Trunk]

The flight we booked in February was before the new rules and regulations with regard to the mandatory check-in services.

We have not printed out boarding cards as the tickets were booked prior to this new regulation being enforced on May 20.

Can you please confirm whether we need to print out boarding passes before we fly, or confirm whether the paperwork we have will be enough to enable us to board the plane.

[The Cheapflights Team]

Dear Brenda,

When are you flying, and when you booked your flights did you select the airport check-in option?

Ryanair's website states that only passengers who booked their flights before May 20 and selected to use airport check-in are eligible to check-in at the airport.

Ryanair also notes that airport check-in will not be available to any passenger travelling after October 1.

If you let us know, we'll look into it for you.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team

[gareth]

What a brill site. Thanks to all concerned, found out quickly all I need to know when using ripoff air. Cheers!

[EU Citizen]

Be careful if you have a national ID card for your children, and your children have a a different nationality. In our case we were stopped from boarding a Ryanair flight from Charelroi to Stockholm (Skavsta) sine the children have a Swedish citizenship but their ID cards were from Belgium.

The check-in counter, the onsite manager and the local police all repeated the same thing: European rules for valid ID cards state that you have to have the same nationality as the ID card. Our children are small (1 and 3 years) and all other carriers accept these ID cards.

How can Ryanair create their own rule for what is an acceptable ID?

We lost the cost of the flight (200 Euros), the cost of the rental car and 1 night in a hotel thanks to Ryanair. We will try to find other solutions in the future, but for some routes Ryanair is the only option to have a direct flight.

[James]

I have booked to fly to Dublin but during my booking I wasn't asked to enter my travel document details. When I go to check-in online it states to make sure my documents match those on my itinerary. Can't find anywhere on their site where I can enter these. Am I still okay to travel?

[Claire]

Hi, I am worried about my boarding pass, which does not have the required Nationality and Passport No. details. When I was entering the information for my friend online I dropped my mobile phone onto the keyboard, and whether that caused the problem or not I cannot change the details because it says I have checked in.

Can you check-in without entering these details?

If so, will it cost me more at the airport because these details are missing?

Thanks.

[The Cheapflights Team]

Dear James,

This refers to the necessity of having the name in your passport the same as the name you used when you were booking the flights. There should be no discrepancy between them.

If you have input, say, James James when booking flights, your passport should show James James. As long as the name in your passport matches the name you booked flights with you should be fine.

We hope this helps.

The Cheapflights Team

[The Cheapflights Team]

Dear Claire,

When you print off your Ryanair boarding pass it is normal for the 'Passport No.' and 'Passport Expiry' fields to be left empty. However, your document should state your nationality.

It may not be a problem, but we recommend that you give Ryanair's customer service line a call (0871 246 0000 - 10p/min) as if your boarding pass is rejected you will be charged a £40 re-issue fee at the airport.

Ryanair also has a Priority Assistance number for people who encounter technical difficulties - 0905 566 0000 - though be advised that this costs £1 per minute.

Kind regards,

The Cheapflights Team