Budget Airlines Hidden Costs: Tips to Avoid Sneaky Airline Charges

Airlines' hidden costs can hit hard, especially with airport name changes costing up to €160. The airline industry's "drip pricing" tactics cost consumers £1.6 billion each year. That shocking moment comes to all of us when our supposed bargain flight price doubles at checkout.

Budget airlines have become skilled at adding extra fees. Their revenue from additional services soared to £103 billion last year from £40 billion in 2013. Ryanair charges €55 per person if you miss online check-in, and other budget carriers follow similar practises. Recent studies show that 32% of travellers pay extra for overweight luggage, which adds £55 to their trip costs on average.

This piece will show you how to handle hidden fees of budget airline charges effectively. You'll get the knowledge to understand free airport check-in policies and check your Ryanair voucher balance. Let's explore these hidden charges together and find ways to protect your travel budget!

Check-in and Boarding Pass Fees

Budget airlines have turned check-in and boarding pass services into a maze of fees that drives passengers crazy. These airlines now make big money from what used to be basic free services.

Online check-in time limits

Low-cost airlines have different rules about when you can check in online. Ryanair lets passengers with pre-booked seats check in up to 60 days before takeoff. Those who skip seat selection and take random seats can only check in 24 hours before their flight. The online check-in window closes 3 hours before departure for most budget airlines.

Airport check-in penalties

Missing your online check-in deadline can get pricey. Ryanair's airport check-in fee hits you with £55 per passenger. You might also face a £100 penalty per person if you show up less than 40 minutes before your flight and need to book the next available one. Check-in desks shut exactly 40 minutes before takeoff, so you need plenty of time at the airport.

Boarding pass reprint charges

Lost boarding passes will cost you money. Budget airlines charge you to print a new one - £20 per passenger. Digital boarding passes don't work if you're flying from Morocco or from Tirana to the UK - you'll need a paper copy.

Here's a helpful tip: if you've checked in but can't find your boarding pass, download the airline's app right away. Many airlines let you pull up your boarding pass through their app without extra fees.

What is free airport check in Ryanair?

Budget airlines rarely offer free airport check-in nowadays. Ryanair only gives this perk to Flexi Plus ticket holders. Families with kids under 12 should know that one adult must book a seat, but this includes free seats for up to four children per adult.

Smart travellers can dodge these fees by checking in online during the right time window and keeping their boarding pass handy on their phone or as a printout.

Baggage Fees and Weight Limits

Budget airlines make cheap flights look tempting until you see their confusing baggage policies. Your final bill can shoot up based on whether you choose cabin or hold luggage.

Cabin bag vs hold luggage rules

Low-cost carriers let you bring just one small personal bag at no cost. Ryanair's rules allow a 40x20x25cm item that fits under your seat. You'll need "Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" to bring an extra cabin bag (55x40x20cm). This costs £6-£36 during booking or £20-£60 later. Another option lets you check a 10kg bag that costs between £9.49-£44.99, with prices based on when you buy it.

Overweight baggage charges

Going over weight limits will cost you dearly. These airlines charge you for each extra kilo, and Ryanair's fee is £13 per overweight kilo. Safety rules say no single item can weigh more than 32kg. A family of four with slightly heavy bags could end up paying over £100 in surprise fees.

Seasonal pricing differences

Baggage prices change with seasons, and the difference between peak and off-peak is huge. A first 20kg bag on Ryanair costs £15-£41 in low season but jumps to £27-£48 in high season. Airport prices are even worse - they can triple to £108-£191 during busy travel times.

Tips to avoid excess baggage fees

Smart travellers can dodge these hidden fees. Get a portable scale and weigh your bags before leaving home. Put on your heaviest clothes instead of packing them. Book your baggage when you buy your ticket - it's cheaper that way. Make sure you know your airline's rules. On top of that, some airlines let passengers travelling together share their weight allowance through "baggage pooling".

Smart planning and knowing these tricky baggage rules will help you keep your budget flights actually budget-friendly.

Name Changes and Booking Errors

Budget flight bookings can turn into expensive nightmares when mistakes happen. Name change fees are some of the biggest hidden costs you'll find with low-cost airlines. Small mistakes lead to penalties that can cost more than your original ticket.

Spelling mistakes and correction windows

Budget airlines give you a short window to fix small errors. Ryanair lets you fix three characters per name once for free if you make changes at least 48 hours before your flight. You get the same deal with easyJet - they allow free changes of 'three characters per name' online. Jet2 does this too for "genuine spelling errors" up to three letters.

The best time to catch mistakes is right after booking. Ryanair gives you 24 hours from your original booking time to fix small errors (dates/times) without any charge. You can even switch wrongly booked routes during this time without paying extra.

Changing passenger names

Name changes will cost you big money with budget airlines. Ryanair asks for £115/€115 for online changes, and it jumps to £160/€160 if you go through an agent. EasyJet's fees range between £60 and £65 when you need more than the free character changes. A name change on Jet2 costs you £40 per one-way flight.

These rules mainly apply when you want to transfer tickets to someone else. The good news is that some changes are free - Ryanair won't charge you to update married/maiden names if you show them your marriage certificate.

How to avoid costly booking errors

Double and triple-check all passenger details before you hit that confirm button. Sometimes booking a new flight works out cheaper than paying to change names. A Money Saving Expert user saved money by booking a new £28 one-way flight instead of paying £40+ for changes.

Group bookings need extra attention because weird things can happen. Some users found their group's surnames changed to match each other. Budget carriers don't need middle names for bookings, which makes things simpler and less likely to go wrong.

Other Hidden Costs You Might Miss

Budget airlines hide many more fees beyond their basic charges. These sneaky costs can add up quickly and shock travellers who don't spot them.

Seat selection and family seating

A basic seat on most budget carriers costs between £3 to £33 per flight based on location and trip length. Ryanair's front seats and extra legroom spots come at a premium of £7-£33. The airlines now require families to follow specific seating rules. One adult must buy a reserved seat next to children under 12. The good news is that up to four kids get free seats in rows 18-33 when they fly with a paying adult.

In-flight food and drink pricing

Budget flights charge high prices for their refreshments. A water bottle on Ryanair costs £3, and you'll pay £3.25 for soft drinks. Hot meals such as Thai Green Curry or Beef Lasagne will set you back £7. Alcohol doesn't come cheap either - a 330ml beer costs £6.25 and small wine bottles start at £7. Other budget airlines have similar prices, so buying food at the airport before your flight saves money.

Credit card and payment method fees

Budget airlines charge extra for processing payments. Ryanair adds a percentage to your total bill that varies by payment type and location. You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, and most debit cards. Some airlines tack on admin fees on top of these payment charges.

Conclusion

Budget airlines have transformed air travel and made it available to millions. Their advertised fares hide a complex web of extra charges that can double or even triple your final cost. This piece reveals how these carriers make billions through carefully designed fee structures that trap unwary travellers.

Smart travellers who know these pricing tactics gain an edge when booking with any low-cost airline. The same rules apply whether you fly with Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air or other carriers. Planning ahead stops any nasty surprises - you need to check in online at the right time, measure your luggage properly, and double-check passenger details before you confirm your booking.

Baggage rules can hit your wallet the hardest. You'll save money by weighing your bags before you leave and booking any extra allowances with your original ticket. Many travellers cut weight-related charges by wearing their heavier items instead of packing them.

Watch out for the harsh penalties that come with booking errors. Budget airlines' name change fees often reach £100 per correction. This is a big deal as it means that fixing a mistake costs more than a new ticket. These carriers count on passenger errors to boost their revenue.

Seat selection fees, refreshment costs, and payment processing charges add up fast. All the same, this guide helps you tap into the full potential of budget airline travel without falling for hidden costs.