Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

This may have been covered before, but in case it hasn't - here's the deal. It affects anyone paying stirling for flights (one-way or return) where the first leg is inbound to the UK.

I was about to press the 'go' button on some flights back to the UK next year, only I saw something odd with the pricing. Because I was flying from Spain, the price is quoted in Euros, so I'd used the drop down box on the top of the basket page to pay in stirling because I was using a UK card. Big mistake!!

The price for one of the legs was £21.76 - which didn't sound like a 'normal' easyjet price. So I re-checked - sure enough, the euros figure was 29.99 euros. So on another computer I tried to book a return from the UK coming back on that same leg... £19.99.

Okay - long story cut short. Easyjet, and probably several others, seem to round UP their prices when they convert to euros. 28 euros becomes 29.99.

If you then ask them to convert back to stirling at the payment screen, you then get the normal exchange rate conversion ON TOP - so a £19.99 flight becomes £21.76! :ohmy:

So... here's how I saved £20...

1. Search for a flight from the UK going out any time but coming BACK the day you want to fly OUT from Spain. Prices will be in stirling for both legs. Use the 'next step' button to take you to the flight basket.

2. On the 'flight basket step 3 of 5' page, use the form at the very bottom of the page and 'search for more flights' button to search for and pick a one-way flight from the UK to Spain, on the day you want to RETURN. This will also be quoted in stirling. Again, use the 'next step' button to take you back to your basket.

3. Finally, on the 'step 3 of 5' page, you will now have three flights - a return and a one-way. Simply click on the REMOVE button to remove the first (outbound) leg of the UK return flight which you don't need.

Result: family of four, originally paying £247... now paying £227...! :rofl:

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

Mmmmmm

Well on Thompsonfly, if you click on a flight and then go back to it later to book, it puts the price up.

I've demonstrated this using two computers before. Cheaper on the first computer that goes on to it fresh, than the computer that re vists!

Why does it do it? ... well I'll leave that to your imagination.

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

That happened on one of our nearly bookings once, but the flight had gone up 35 €`s each :curse::curse:
I know as the seats sell they increase by supply and demand, but we are talking 2 minutes here. :eek:

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

Your joking! I wandered why the prices were going up! I spend half my life on skyscanner these days- should I be booking as many flights for next year now or will they get cheaper?

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

well try to use two pcs next time, maybe an internet cafe to check the price and then book on your own pc ;)

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

Just tried it and both prices are the same?

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

I've just tried to book Luton to Alicante coming back on 5th November. The return to the UK is £49.99.

Book a one-way flight from Alicante to Luton on November 5th - it's 73.99 euros.

Now change back to stirling by selecting £ in the shopping basket and the flight is now £54.19.

Now go back to a new quote from the UK and the return leg is back to £49.99

S.

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

well what can I tell you ... every time my sister comes over here we try it, and the prices are different ;)

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

Ok I think I understand,just booked on 29 Oct from uk to Palma,out is 39.99 return is 74.99.
Then booked single return,Palma to Uk it's 82.02

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

Its also cheaper to book the return flight from the spanish end
using ryanair.
In the summer it was cheaper to buy my son a return ticket than book him a one way on from the UK. So I traveled out alone and back in. the two of us. I saved over 30 Euros considering the whole lot only cost 45 Euros a big saving.
Sharon

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

When I'm checking prices, I only select one passenger just to save time, and noticed that when you go back to book with more than one passenger the price goes up. I thought it was something to do with number of passengers rather than the fact you are returning to the site. ??Always looking at ways to beat the system as it makes my blood boil when this happens.

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

Ah - hotels do this trick as well when they have special offers for on night, but you want to stay for two!

Basically, if passenger one is £25, and passenger two is £27.50 because passenger one takes the flight to the next price band, they will quote both at £27.50... I know this because I once had to book 30 people on an easyjet flight - back in the days when they still had a call center a very long time ago!

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

Oh I wish I wish I wish that flights to Lanzarote were as cheap as the mainland! We've been trying to get hubby's kids out for Xmas - but €300 was the cheapest! :eek:

Mind you... Alan's managed to bag a bargain in the opposite direction. Lanzarote to EMA return in early December for £112. We get excited about this stuff!

And yes, we love skyscanner.net too! :thumbsup:

Elle xx

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

what sometimes works out cheaper is using 2 different airlines

I go one way with sleezy jet and return with Ryanair - not always cheaper but worth a look :thumbsup:

Re: Cheating Easyjet's Exchange Rates
 

Of the various budget airlines it seems that (in my experience) EasyJet and Ryanair really treat their passengers like cattle. The free-for-all seating system encourages the scrum mentality. Stress levels get near to bursting point when the flight is called. Everyone scrambles for the desk regardless of checking-in sequence number. You always get some people standing at the front of the queue with a high ticket number which means that the lower ticket numbers can't get through and miss their turn boarding.
It's ridiculus.
It's offensive.
It's insulting.
It's a scrum.
And how much do you really save? Ten pounds? twenty euros?

And as for "Priority Boarding" - Ha! What a nonsense that is. Encourages the ones that have payed the extra couple of quid to feel superior for a few minutes until they find they are last off the bus anyway.

For me it just isn't worth the hassle any more. I now fly with other airlines and pay a slightly higher fare but have soooo much less hassle and stress. It's bad enough having to sit cramped in a seat for 2-3 hours but at least I don't have to fight to get my seat.