I saw a documentary on UTV last Monday on how to beat the budget airlines and I thought I would put together some tips based on the programme. Why not try to beat them at their own game?

1.    Read the small print
If the airlines are offering a sale- read the small print. This contains all the destinations and times. ‘Incl taxes’ does not mean including charges too. Unless it reads ‘ incl all taxes & sales charges’ you can expect that Ryanair will lump on the check-in charge of €5 each way.

2.    Use a prepaid card
If you’re booking with Ryanair avoid the Credit Card charge by using a prepaid credit card to avoid paying the transaction charges (this usually equates to €5 per booking). If you get a prepaid Mastercard (from www.payzone.ie) and then just top it up at most Spars (or there are a full list of outlets on the site). It costs you €3 to top up your card each time, but it’s still a lot less than the transaction charges.

3.    Hand luggage only is a must (for short trips anyway)
Check out the baggage charges below and know what you will be paying. Don’t check in luggage for short trips. Here are some tips to help you pack hand luggage only:
1.    Put all your favourite lotions and potions into smaller bottles. You can get a pack of refillable bottles in the €2 shop and/or buy small travel size bottles of deodorant and shower gel etc in Boots. They’ll always come in handy.
2.    Wear your heaviest clothes. To avoid paying the luggage charges a guy got a ¾ length jacket with lots of pockets and filled it with his laptop, shoes and all his toiletries etc etc (there are no rules saying you can’t). No need to be that drastic, but you get the drift…
3.    Stick to the 2 simple hand luggage rules – 1. all liquids in containers of 100ml or less 3. baggage measurements must fit or be less than 40 cm (10in) wide, 20cm (8in) deep, 55cm (22in) high and weigh less than 10kg (get a luggage scales in the €2 shop and weigh it- it’s very handy)
4.    Leave space for the way back.
5.    Weigh up (pardon the pun) the cost of packing an item versus the excess bag charges- that will teach you to pack neat.

4.    Check in online
With Ryanair you pay €5 to check in online and €10 to check in at the airport (Aerlingus is free) They will also charge you €40 to reissue a boarding pass- so beware. If you have checked in online already but have forgotten your boarding pass, there are internet hubs with printers at the airport so go there and print out your own boarding pass.

**The above rates are based on travel within Europe (Aerlingus charge less for travel within Ireland or to the UK)
* Ryanair do not allow you to prepay for excess luggage online

Correct on July 8th 2010. Note that Ryanair have different charges for 15kg and 20kg luggage allowances and these charges increase in peak season-July & August. Click here for a full list of all Ryanair’s charges. Click here for a full list of Aerlingus’ charges.

If you have anything tips to add please leave a comment and share – Value Vera