Travel ‘add-ons’ are hitting tourism hard
Wednesday 17th February 2010, 3:00PM GMT.
From Keith Drury.
MY wife and I have been frequent visitors to the Island for the past 20 years, but we have become increasingly angry at the cost of travelling from the UK, particularly in respect of the horrendous hidden charges now being levied by Flybe.
The initial cost of our travel was going to be £135.96 (two-thirds of which is the iniquitous ‘taxes and charges’).
As if this wasn’t enough, Flybe then proceeded to add the following ‘extras’:
• £39.96 for the luxury of taking a suitcase each (and daring to bring them back!).
• £24 if we wanted to reserve specific seats in order that we could be sure of sitting together on the flights.
The ‘extras’ were still not finished, though, as because I had the temerity to pay by credit card, Flybe then levied another charge of £4.50 for the privilege – but not just one amount of £4.50 (despite the fact that it was only one transaction), they in fact took a total of £18 for this transaction – £4.50 per person per sector!
All in all, therefore, after adding in all the ‘extras’, the total travel costs would now be £217.92, which is an additional £81.96.
As my wife and I are both over 70 and the reciprocal health agreement has now been rescinded by both governments, it will also cost us some £80 or so to insure ourselves for our visit (one thing we can’t hold Flybe to account for), so this means a total of £300 or so before thinking about any accommodation costs.
Small wonder, then, that Jersey’s tourist industry is in the doldrums, if these are the sort of costs prospective passengers are going to be expected to bear.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
JEP Jubilee Editions
Saturday 2 June: Guide to Celebrations
Wednesday 6 June: Souvenir of Events
View The Queen in Jersey supplement
Travel
To, from and around the Island
Airport Arrivals/Departures
Harbours Arrivals/Departures
Bus Information/Timetables
This is Jersey
Jersey Evening Post
Useful links
Budget airline – ‘My backside’ ! They are blatantly profiteering and have been doing so for sometime now. The use of non rip off airlines such as Blue Island should be encouraged, the price on the screen is the price you pay.
PLUS they don’t charge for ticket changes! A friend arrived back at LGW early and tried to change their ticket. Not a problem for nearly £300. They simply went to the BA desk, explained, and the Staff were happy to sell them tickets for £80 each.
We dont get charged transaction payments for card use in shops, or extra if we would like to sit with our friends at a restaurant!!!
Come on Flybe and others sort out your acts. Poor old Jack Walker will be turning in his grave.
Report abuse
Another nail in the coffin for jersey.
At least in UK they have a choice and can go different destinations unlike us with no option but to pay the prices
About time these rip off firms were exposed.
Flybe has been misleading the public for years with their advertising cheap fares only for all the extras added on at the end make them much too expensive.
Time we had some more competition on some routes that they cover.
Report abuse
All the extras are bad enough but I have never understood how these airlines are legally allowed to charge for debit card transactions.What is to stop shops charging us every time we use one for our groceries,petrol or whatever?Where would it end?The trouble is that we are a captive audience and have no choice of travelling with other airlines in some cases so we basically have to pay what they demand and just shut up.It angers me greatly but if I want to visit Jersey to visit my family/friends I have no choice in the matter.
Report abuse
Agree with the above. I have started taking the boat recently. Despite what people say about Condor at least you can get over and back for two people and a car at £220 which is the same as above. However you have the use of a car over there which avoids having to get a hire car. Not appropiate for all people but if you need to go over for a break it works out cheaper. If you go as a foot passenger its only around £45 with as must luggage as you can carry.
Report abuse
i booked to go on condor this morning too.
Got out of the side of the wrong bed this morning and needed to cheer myself up.
£130 for 2 foot passengers in April,which is about £50 cheaper than last year.
As I am having op on eye early next month didn’t want to risk flying because of pressure in aircraft plus i prefer the boat,not so much hassle as airport.
Report abuse
I’ve yet to find it cheaper to use FlyBe as opposed to BA when going between Jersey and the UK.
While plowing money into hospitality the States do continue to shoot the industry down with employment law etc. It does seem to be time for some joined-up thinking in this industry, but not with the businesses themselves, rather with the States.
Report abuse
Another good reason for preferring BA over flyBE is the services offered in case of a delay or – heaven forfend – a cancellation.
It has been said here before, but regular BA passengers would do well to enrol in BA’s Executive Club which – with the requisite number of flights under one’s belt – offers access to the Executive Club lounges, not only at Jersey but at most other BA destinations around the world.
They are true oases of peace and tranquillity, together with a complimentary drink and a sandwich. One might even get a free shower and a massage in some of the biggest facilities.
For the avoidance of any doubt, I am neither an employee of British Airways nor a passenger of flyBE.
Report abuse
What I have found interesting, both about the original letter from Mr Keith Drury and about every subsequent message, is that not a single person has uttered one positive word about flyBE. Negative, critical comments: plenty.
I would have thought that at least one person from flyBE’s sales or public relations departments would have sprung to his or her employer’s defence.
I suppose the inference to be drawn from that is that flyBE management realises that it has not got a leg to stand on.
Or could it be that flyBE is as cynical in its attitudes to its passengers as a certain Irish carrier? To its credit, the Irish air carrier does give its customers exactly what it advertises – low cost flights.
Report abuse
My impression of Fly Be was tarnished a few years ago when I went to check in for a flight which I had booked 4 months previously only to be told that I had apparently phoned up and cancelled the flight ! Producing my tickets to a major UK event and asking why I would have booked and paid to go to an event, and then cancelled the flight, they could not explain, and let me on the flight !
BA are now my preferred airline, they are very good, and with conections through Gatwicks north terminal, it is as close to having direct flights from the island, useful when you have a four year old in tow !
Recent fares that I have paid with BA conecting through Gatwick – Three to Orlando from Jersey, £1,600 and two adults to Amsterdam, only £250 return !
With these fares, who needs a low cost operator.
Report abuse
I’ve found that BA’s rates are usually cheaper than FlyBe’s for the journeys I’ve had to take to London recently, and would be even more competative if I ever needed to check baggage as they include this already.
I really can’t fault BA for what they charge, although I’m still amazed at the cost of travel; I’d be interested to have the various cost broken down as a recent trip cost me approx £60 a third for the flight, a third in taxes & airport charges and the final third for the taxi to the airport from St Helier!
Report abuse
“I would have thought that at least one person from flyBE’s sales or public relations departments would have sprung to his or her employer’s defence”.
It is clear that flyBE’s management is aware that it is “guilty on all counts”, but dares not mitigate in the court of Jersey public opinion.
Well, I know which airline will have all my business for carrying me in future – and it is NOT based at Exeter!
Report abuse