FR/U2: New Charges - Don't get caught with them

For those of you who are thinking of using EasyJet or Ryanair for a cheap getaway, Money Saving Expert has a timely update on the games these two airlines are up to.


For EasyJet

• Fees to pay by debit card are up from £5.50 per booking to £8.
• Credit card fees are up per booking from £5.50 + £4.95 or 2.5% of transaction value (whichever is higher) to £8 + £4.95 or 2.5% (whichever is higher).
• No fees on a Visa Electron card - if you can find one.
• Baggage charges for items weighing up to 20kg are up from £9 to £12.50 to £9 to £14 per segment, dependant on segment length travelled.

For Ryanair

• The mandatory £2/€2 fee for EC261/2004 or "We can't afford to compensate people so we're penalising everyone else fee"
• Card costs go up from £5 to £6 a segment (MasterCard Prepaid debit card is free)
• Peak travel has been redefined, leading to a higher baggage fee of £20 per segment up from £15. For those mad enough, these are 1 June to 21 September and 21 December to 4 January. 

Whilst Low Cost Carriers like these two can represent good value if you plan correctly, and follow the rules, do me a favour - and check the traditional carriers. By the time you add in all the extras, you might find that going by a traditional carrier may be better for your wallet....