Passenger 'speechless' at airline's extra charge
A SHOCKED passenger was left "speechless" after airline BMIBaby charged him £328 to change two surnames on plane tickets.
Iain Savage, of Eastwood, booked four tickets to fly from East Midlands Airport to Edinburgh to watch England take on Scotland next month in rugby's Six Nations tournament.
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stunned: Iain Savage.
But when booking tickets online, he accidentally got the surnames of two of his party wrong.
After realising the mistake, he informed the Castle Donington-based airline and they said they would alter the names, but that he could be charged £25 per ticket.
Mr Savage said he expected a charge because it was his mistake.
But he was stunned to be invoiced for £328.90 – especially as the total cost of the two-day trip, including flights, accommodation and match tickets, was only £250 each.
The airline also charged him for the change in the ticket prices since he first booked. Mr Savage, 56, said: "I fully admit it was my error but all they've had to do is tap a few keys on a computer.
"I was speechless when I got the bill. I rang the call centre and said, 'you've got to be joking'."
The error occurred when Mr Savage booked tickets for himself and girlfriend Janice Dilks.
They had arranged to go with Janice's brother and sister-in-law.
He had assumed their surnames would both be Dilks, but they are Smiths.
A BMIBaby spokeswoman said: "As per our terms and conditions, name changes to flights for any reason will incur the following administration fee: £25 per passenger per sector, plus any difference in the total cost of the flight applicable at the time the change is made.
"We do not charge a fee for people who have made an error and ring us within 24 hours of booking to make a change."
9 Comments
by Lynnylynx, Lincs, formerly Kimbo
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 8:11AM
“Crazy....but that's how these budget airlines actually make their money!
ALWAYS read the small print and steer clear of the thieving bar stewards!”
by Jim, NG14 6
Monday, February 08 2010, 9:23PM
“This is nothing new. I remember a similar case (NOT BMIbaby) in Wales 3 years ago. A Radio 4 consumer affairs programme also reported another incident like it only a couple of months ago.
It looks like it's going to carry on because it seems to be a nice little earner for most airlines.”
by Citizen, Smith
Monday, February 08 2010, 8:47PM
“" Power to the Airlines "”
by Steve, Notts
Monday, February 08 2010, 8:01PM
“He has a lot to say considering how speechless he is.”
by Steve, Ruddington
Monday, February 08 2010, 4:43PM
“I think Ryanair charge £40 each for this error, so BMIbaby is cheaper. Some people complain of being treated like cattle on these budget flights, but it doesn't bother me. I paid £20 return to France from EMA instead of £245 quoted elsewhere. Pack me in like a sardine and let me enjoy the money i saved.
Moral of the story, look before you book.”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Monday, February 08 2010, 4:05PM
“Come on folks, you should know by now that "cut price airlines" are in business to make as much money as possible by finding extra ways of adding to the basic price. They will continue to do so as long as people let them get away with hyped charges and reduced baggage weight and leg room. It is like the very small print in travel brochures that gives them all the rights and the passenger very limited ones.”
by Barry, Stapleford
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:12PM
“This story should be passsed to every newspaper in Europe to print and let people see how this man was treated,it is disgusting.”
by Barry, Stapleford
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:11PM
“This story should be passsed to every newspaper in Europe to print and let people see how this man was treated,it is disgusting.”
by Sonny, South Notts
Monday, February 08 2010, 12:09PM
“I know the guy made an error, but isn't this bureacacy gone mad ?”