Maleth Aero flights - charge to book seats

[terrierjohn]

2 minutes ago, Snow Hill said:

The EU and USA are looking to act on such charges as seat allocation and hand luggage charges, which are often billed as optional, as both believe airlines are using them to advertise the lowest fares online. 

But if it doesn't actually reduce the prices what is the point, surely we are all wise enough to know these charges exist and take them into account when we book.

[Interestedcruisefan]

3 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

But if it doesn't actually reduce the prices what is the point, surely we are all wise enough to know these charges exist and take them into account when we book.

But transparency at the start also helps people choose the best deal and not have to go deeper into each website and through the bookings process just to work it all out?

 

On eBay for example I can list prices from low to high (taking account of delivery costs which can vary enormously for same item)

 

Complicated with flights though due to all the extra options. Not everybody takes luggage on flights etc 

 

Not everybody cares where they sit. 

 

 

[Snow Hill]

6 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

But if it doesn't actually reduce the prices what is the point, surely we are all wise enough to know these charges exist and take them into account when we book.

The point is the airlines are using them to seek advantage over each other from an SEO by cutting the headline price and giving the impression they are cheap fares, but when the hidden costs are unavoidable then this is being deemed as not in the internet of the consumer. Spanish government consumer protection is in the process of prosecuting a number of airlines for breach of Spanish Law.

 

https://www.surinenglish.com/spain/spain-opens-case-against-lowcost-airline-hand-20230804122139-nt.html

[terrierjohn]

1 hour ago, Snow Hill said:

The point is the airlines are using them to seek advantage over each other from an SEO by cutting the headline price and giving the impression they are cheap fares, but when the hidden costs are unavoidable then this is being deemed as not in the internet of the consumer. Spanish government consumer protection is in the process of prosecuting a number of airlines for breach of Spanish Law.

 

https://www.surinenglish.com/spain/spain-opens-case-against-lowcost-airline-hand-20230804122139-nt.html

Do we really want to live in such a pampered and cosseted world, leaving no room for the delightful Arthur Daleys of the retail trade??🤣

[Megabear2]

37 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

Do we really want to live in such a pampered and cosseted world, leaving no room for the delightful Arthur Daleys of the retail trade??🤣

Most of this started when the EU airlines within Europe were told they had to offer a "base" fare, ie just a flight, no luggage, sit anywhere (remember the Easyjet/Ryanair scrambles to board).  That was fine to start for people just popping off or around Europe for the day.  The problem set in when airlines saw the opportunity to follow the US and add extra charge for everything they could imagine a passenger might pay for.  Consequently it has crept in across the board and people just accept it,forgetting it's a fairly new thing.  On some airlines the add ons come to more than the starting fare.

 

A similar thing happens in the US with "resort fees on hotels, mask the true cost of the product by pretending you're getting something extra.

 

The whole lot is a on.  

 

 

Edited October 19, 2023 by Megabear2

[david63]

The airline add-ons are nothing different to most things that you see advertised these days. All companies are trying to entice customers with what looks like a "bargain" and it is the old story "if it looks too good to be true, then it is too good to be true"

 

When buying anything these days you have to do your homework first - "Buyer beware" comes to mind. The problem is that too many people are lazy and don't do their homework and then moan/complain when what they get is not what they think they were going to get.

[seahorse001]

18 hours ago, Presto2 said:

Have never been on an airline where you don't have to pay if you book a seat. That's with BA, TUI, Monarch. Excel and Jet 2. Some gone now but if you book in advance you have to pay

you don't have to pay for a seat on EasyJet, Ryanair and Tui unless you choose too. If you choose not to pay you will be allocated a seat on check in 

[seahorse001]

4 hours ago, Snow Hill said:

The EU and USA are looking to act on such charges as seat allocation and hand luggage charges, which are often billed as optional, as both believe airlines are using them to advertise the lowest fares online. 

good I hope they do. The point to my thread is that P & O do not state this anywhere, so anyone booking a cruise may not be aware of this and it will add up quite considerably. 

[terrierjohn]

7 minutes ago, seahorse001 said:

good I hope they do. The point to my thread is that P & O do not state this anywhere, so anyone booking a cruise may not be aware of this and it will add up quite considerably. 

But only if you pay. If you turn up without having paid for seats, then they will be allocated free when you check in, and you will more than likely sit together until only single seats are left.

[seahorse001]

9 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

But only if you pay. If you turn up without having paid for seats, then they will be allocated free when you check in, and you will more than likely sit together until only single seats are left.

If you read my post you would see that I am travelling solo , its gone off on a tangent 

[terrierjohn]

8 minutes ago, seahorse001 said:

If you read my post you would see that I am travelling solo , its gone off on a tangent 

All the more reason not to pay for a seat, and just accept what you get at check in.

[seahorse001]

2 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

All the more reason not to pay for a seat, and just accept what you get at check in.

yes . I am not paying for a seat full stop...

[pete14]

12 minutes ago, seahorse001 said:

yes . I am not paying for a seat full stop...

Just a word of advice. If you find yourself sitting on the wing, make sure there is somebody on the other side for balance. 🥴

[Megabear2]

2 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

But only if you pay. If you turn up without having paid for seats, then they will be allocated free when you check in, and you will more than likely sit together until only single seats are left.

The OP has a very good point. Vamps posted recently how shocked she was at the charge for her family.  As the seats are in a 3-3-3 formation people like her will more or less have to pay up to ensure they are together.  The actual cost isn't posted anywhere that I know, merely a statement as follows:

 

"Choose your preferred seat on selected Caribbean and Mediterranean charter flights. Seats on scheduled flights can usually be purchased through the airline’s own website. Some airlines require tickets to be issued before they allow you to pre-book seats, in which case payment for your flight may be required in advance and will be non-refundable."

 

The first line is misleading as it does not indicate a charge and unless you know how P&O work it may be an unexpected cost.  Very badly worded and misleading in my humble opinion!

Edited October 19, 2023 by Megabear2