Airline's £328 charge for altering two names 'was daylight robbery'
A CUSTOMER has accused airline BMI Baby of "daylight robbery" after being charged £328 to change two surnames on plane tickets.
Iain Savage 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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EXPENSIVE MISTAKE: Iain Savage had to pay over £300 to change two names on flight tickets with BMI Baby.
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 to begin with.
Mr Savage, 56, who works as a clerical officer in the Derby area, 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, who lives in Eastwood, booked tickets for himself and girlfriend Janice Dilks.
They had arranged to go with Janice's brother and sister-in-law – and he had assumed their surnames would both be Dilks. However, they are Smiths.
"I did not see it as a problem," he said. "All I had to do was ring and get it changed. I guessed there would be an administration fee, but that was okay because I made the mistake.
"I thought there had been a mistake, but when I rang back the same call centre, they said it was policy to rebook the flights, which were now more expensive.
"In a nutshell, I have been charged £330 to change two surnames on two flights – that is surely wrong. It was daylight robbery."
Mr Savage said it had put him off flying with BMI Baby.
He said: "I've never had any complaints before and I've flown dozens of times with them. But it makes you think twice about using them again."
A spokeswoman for BMI Baby said: "Before a passenger enters their name details online, there is a prompt designed to ensure that customers check their personal details.
"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."
5 Comments
by Bob, Derby
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:54PM
“Numpties!!!!!”
by E Jit, Derby
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:49PM
“I know Derby lass, being a buffoon can be expensive...”
by Derby Lass, Derby
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:43PM
“Recently i booked some return flights to Malta for myself and my husband. After completing the order i realised that i had entered the wrong return date. I rang up with 10 min ............. couldnt get through on their 65p a min line. I then tried later only to be told that its £50 per person per ammendment over the phone and £25 on line) (would be charged both ways) plus the rebooking of the tickets.......... was not told it would be free. Didnt bother paying the rip off price in the end ............. worked out cheaper to book three extra nights at the accommodation. BMI baby must make more money by ammendements that the original bookings .......... they should look after their cusomers”
by Judge Mental, Littleover
Monday, February 08 2010, 9:22AM
“Oh the week has started, and plenty to have a go at.
No,Mr Savage, just get in your car and do the 550 mile round trip , which@ 40mpg =£61!
Add on the cost of Scottish B&B in Dunbar (say ) £70 for the two of you, and Bob's your uncle. You have saved £200. If you were flying back immediately after the match look at all the jibes about England losing you would have missed! If you go by car you can enjoy this and in addition have to suffer the abysmal ale Scotland brew, using the £200 saving.Unless of course you drink draught Guiness or rubbish called lager!”
by David, Littleover
Monday, February 08 2010, 9:08AM
“The scoundrels, trying to ruin a grand weekend!
If no-one else offers I will drive the two of you to Edinburgh and back for £250.00, thus saving you £80.
With that you can book a decent B&B and have a gentle ride back on the Sunday.
Otherwise there must be a car going from this area for the game which may be able to fit you in for the cost of fuel only.”