Ryanair shocker - they quote real prices

Ryanair have shocked... well, me... and probably the entire no-frills, cheap as chips, cattle-class budget airline category by quoting fares that actually (seem to) exist.

Ryanair's biggest ever seat sale includes flights from £10, with "all taxes and charges included". The airline is also promising to refund double the difference if those who book find chaper flights elsewhere. The promotion runs until June 12, and it is claimed that 3.5 million seats will be offered for a tenner.

But this lovely looking offer starts to loose its shine once one consults the small print.

The prices with "all taxes and charges included" do not include "credit/debit card fees, baggage fees, web check-in/priority boarding fees or any other optional fees".

Furthermore, to get claim on the 'double the difference' price guarantee, you have to book a flight on Ryanair, find another cheaper flight (with departure times within one hour of the booked Ryanair flight), and then submit the claim on a special form, with a screenshot of the competing airline's offer, all within one hour of making the original booking. Ryaniar will try to pull-up the competitors website (only during business hours, of course) and try to make the same booking to verify the claim. If they can't, they won't pay.

Ryanair claim that the double the difference offer will cost them around £1 million. I find it hard to imagine that anoyne could succesfully make a claim given the terms and conditions, let alone how enough customers could make claims that would amount to a million quid.

Still, it is very refreshing to see fares quoted with at least some of the taxes and charges included.

Sources : Ryanair and TravelMole (registration required).