Ryanair Strikes Again

The master of the small print and nickel and diming, Ryanair, has figured out yet another way screw customers. Over a year ago (15/11/2008) I advised the reader to take his or her chances with the bank when paying for goods at UK Duty Free since the exchange rate offered is invariably worse than what most banks charge.

Ryanair has been converting UK Pound purchases to Euro for some time now in order to cream off the usual 1.5% cut for itself. So despite insisting that flights originating in the UK are priced in Pounds, it is quite happy to actually charge Eurozone customers in Euro. I recall complaining, some time ago, to the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs at the time, but nobody there seemed terribly concerned. What's interesting is that Ryanair is no longer content to take just the bank's cut for itself. The rate it calculates is way off the prevailing market rate for the currency exchange.

But at least now customers have the option to choose. I guess displaying prices in Pounds and then charging in Euro at a totally made up rate would not have fooled regulators for very long. So choose to go with your own bank, and not Bank of Ryanair.

For bonus points pay with a pre-paid MasterCard gift card, like those available at shopping centres. These don't attract the EUR5 per person per leg charge, that regular credit cards do.