RyanAir - need a phone number to resolve a big problem.

Posted by Diane (Ottawa) on 10/12/15 06:59 AM

I was booking a ticket using the Beta version of the website and it reverted to my last search automatically, when I went to book with a final definite date. The upshot is that I did not purchase the correct city pair for my trip for that specific date (next March).

The Beta website did not give me a screen to review my data before asking for payment. Now I need to either get the date adjusted or the transaction cancelled. I'm not very hopeful about the outcome, but I'd like to at least try before I decide to change my plans or buy a whole new ticket...

Does anyone have a way of contacting them? I could not get live chat to work and the phone number given on the website for Canadian callers does not work. It's been over 48 hours since I sent an e-mail with no reply. Am I really only left with sending a snail mail letter to Dublin?!

My advice: be very wary and careful when using the Beta version of the website to book.

Posted by Ken

Vernon, Canada

10/12/15 07:48 AM

32352 posts

Diane,

You could also try to call their U.K. phone number for post-booking enquiries - +44 0330 1007 838. Of course this would be a long distance call, and you'd have to call between 06:00-19:00 GMT (Mon.-Fri.).

I've had trouble with the RyanAir website in the past, and one reason I won't travel with them.

Posted by Diane OP

Ottawa

10/12/15 08:36 AM

1446 posts

Thank you Ken.
I'm beginning to share your opinion.

Unfortunately, that number rejects my call from Canada. I think it has to do with the fact that 'users' pay a fee for calling in...

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

10/12/15 10:49 AM

33837 posts

try taking out the first zero. +44330......

Posted by Philip

🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️

10/12/15 10:51 AM

3279 posts

Here's a link to Ryan AIr's contacts from the Chris Elliott website. I'm sure you'll be able to find a helpful number or email address here. I would try by emailing the Director of Customer Service first. Good luck!

Posted by Diane OP

Ottawa

10/12/15 12:21 PM

1446 posts

Thank you everyone!
I'll give it a my best shot this morning. :-)

Posted by Maggie

TN, USA

10/12/15 12:25 PM

2158 posts

If the live chat won't work, could be because of your web browser. We had a similar problem with one of the budget carriers, because we don't use the Explorer web browser. My sister logged in on hers and took care of the problem for us. Done!

Posted by Diane OP

Ottawa

10/13/15 11:21 AM

1446 posts

Thank you everyone!

Well, the web chat finally worked, using my iPad Mini. After the restrictive 'no' answers that I was expecting - no refunds, no credit - I was able to keep the same city pair flight, but adjust it to another date & time. Luckily, there was no fare difference and no fee to do so. The seats that I had paid for were also kept.

The upshot is that I paid a lot extra for a baggage allowance that I will not need for that city pair. Lesson learned: only add baggage online AFTER the flight has been booked. Then you're not going to lose as much.

I was planning on using RyanAir for two more tickets in March, but this experience kinda soured it for me. I really don't think that their 'intuitive' new Beta website is really useful. I've been booking flights online, several a year, for years now and have never ended up with having booked the wrong flight before.

I just booked the original city pair that I had wanted with Vueling and the booking experience went as I expect of all airlines websites: a clearly marked itinerary, a chance to review the flights and names, and a final confirmation screen before processing the payment.

Side note: as for traveling light... that is getting harder to do!

I own both the Rick Steves Backdoor bag and Roll-aboard. Neither of these meet the cabin baggage restrictions of a 20cm depth - they come in at 9".
This is not just a problem for RyanAir and Vueling, but also for KLM this coming trip. :-(