RyanairWhile other airlines offer free booking apps, Ryanair has decided to charge £2.49. Why?

Ryanair is famous for its policy of low fares and high, but hidden, extra charges. So it comes as no surprise that its new booking app ('Ryanair Cheap Flights') is not free. In fact, it costs €2.99 in the eurozone and £2.49 here in the UK.

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This 'Ryanapp' for smartphones and tablet PCs is available in Apple's App Store, so is currently restricted to Apple's iPhones and iPads. However, as it climbs the App Store charts, the Ryanapp is being readied for porting over for use on Android smartphones and other handheld devices.

What's seems remarkable is that people are happy and willing to pay for this app. After all, rival airlines Aer Lingus, British Airways and easyJet all provide free booking apps. Almost all other leading travel, hotel and flight apps come free of charge, too.

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So, what makes Ryanair think it can get away with charging for what is a free service elsewhere?

Frankly, Michael O'Leary never gives anything away for free when he can charge for it. Last year, he warned that his airline had even looked into installing coin slots on the toilet doors of its fleet of aircraft!

What do you get for £2.49?
With this app, customers can search for Ryanair flights and special promotions, book flights, manage and update recent bookings, view flight schedules and get the latest news from Ryanair. The app also allows users to add priority boarding (incurring another fee) and check-in bags for their bookings. You can even book car rentals with Ryanair partner Hertz.

That's it -- there are no special 'app only' deals available, so buying this app won't save you a penny when flying with Ryanair. In fairness, some users claim it's easier to use than Ryanair's website, but should be expanded to include an option for mobile check-in at airports, as easyJet already offers.

For the record, this Ryanapp is nothing new. In fact, it first appeared in the App Store on 13th March 2012, so it's almost six months old. Ryanair's claim that this is a 'new' app is another marketing trick designed to con consumers.

For me, the Ryanapp isn't worth anything near its £2.49 price tag, despite O'Leary's argument that, "Passengers can now book Ryanair flights anywhere they take their phone, day or night, ensuring that they never miss out on our lowest fares."

Find cheap flights for free
Personally, I don't know of another mainstream airline, travel agent or tour operator that charges users to download its bookings/sales app. Why pay to buy from a company, when you can do so for free elsewhere?

I suspect Ryanair's £2.49 charge is simply a way to annoy its critics while gaining yet more media coverage. In other words, the wily O'Leary has successfully orchestrated another PR coup for Ryanair.

Unless you're in a desperate hurry to book with Ryanair and pay for the privilege, I'd urge you not to waste money on its app. Instead, use Mobile Ryanair, which offers identical functionality for free. Even better, get online to search leading travel websites for cheap flights, or use one of the many free apps available for Apple and/or Android devices.

Finally, remember that a 'budget' airline may not be a 'low cost' carrier after adding in all the extra charges lurking in the small print. That's why you should always search the entire market for cheap flights, rather than being lured in by headline-grabbing 'cheap' seats that are anything but!

The five worst holiday disasters

  • Your travel plans fall through
    <p> If you are a victim of a strike, or any other event beyond the airline's control (including ash clouds!), they must offer you a refund (in which case it's up to you to find a way home) or an alternative flight. While you are waiting for the flight you have the right to food and refreshment and accommodation.</p> <p> If you are on a package holiday, your tour operator is entirely responsible for looking after you until you get back to the UK.</p>
    Your travel plans fall through
  • Your airline goes bust
    <p> This is more likely to happen due to the financial crisis, but in some situations you are covered.&nbsp;</p> <p> If you pay by credit card and it's over &pound;100, you'll get a refund from the card company.&nbsp;</p> <p> Your travel insurance may well cover you too, but check before you go. &nbsp;</p>
    Your airline goes bust
  • Your luggage goes astray
    <p> Talk to the airline, and if it is temporarily misplaced they should arrange for it to be sent to your accommodation, and you should be either given cash to cover the essentials in the interim.</p> <p> If it's completely lost you must wait 21 days and then make a claim for compensation. If you are travelling as part of a package you can claim costs from your operator.</p>
    Your luggage goes astray
  • You get sick
    <p> If you are travelling within the EU you need an EHIC card, which gives you access to public healthcare. However, this won't necessarily be free, and if you need extra services such as accommodation for a carer, a helicopter home or a delayed flight, you could end up seriously out of pocket.</p> <p> The only protection that will guarantee you will be looked after without running up a horrendous debt is by having travel insurance - which often covers up to &pound;10 million of costs.</p>
    You get sick
  • You are robbed
    <p> The most common form of theft is pick-pocketing, followed by theft from a car and bag snatching. Meanwhile, 752,000 of those surveyed had items stolen from their hotel room or villa.</p> <p> If you have anything stolen, your only protection is insurance. You need to tell the local police immediately and get a crime reference for your travel insurer.</p>
    You are robbed


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