HOLIDAYMAKERS jetting off with one of the UK’s most popular budget airlines are being stung by a sneaky charge hidden in the small print – and families could be left £140 out of pocket.
Even as a seasoned budget traveller, I thought I knew every trick.
But when recently travelling with Wizz Air, I was still caught me out with a rule in the fine print.
Like many travellers, I tried to check in on the morning of my flight – only to be met with an error message.
Online check in had closed, and I was told I had to pay €40 (£35) at Milan Malpensa just to get my boarding pass.
Wizz Air’s online check-in opens 24 hours before your flight – and unlike most airlines, closes three hours before departure.
Miss the window, and you’ll be slapped with a hefty fee to pay.
So if you check in on the day of your flight – or fly early in the morning – you could easily miss the cut off.
The strict fee allows even less time than Ryanair or easyJet, which open online check in up until around two hours before take off.
According to Wizz Air’s policy: “Online check-in is available from 30 days up to three hours before the scheduled departure time if you have purchased a seat during your booking.
“In case you have not purchased any seats with your booking, check-in will become available only 24 hours before departure.”
That means a family of four who forgets to check in online within the specific time frame could be looking at an eye-watering €160 (£140) bill before they’ve even reached security…
And though the airport check in fee is listed at just €13 (£11) on the official Wizz Air site, this price only applies to those who choose to add this charge on in advance, rather than check in online.
Plenty of travellers have been caught out by this little known rule too.
On social media, you’ll find threads full of passengers complaining about “unexpected” airport check-in charges.
Luke, 22, from London, was caught with the charge flying back to the UK.
He told The Sun: “You’d think checking in three hours before a flight would be fine, but with Wizz Air, it’s already too late.
“We had to pay €80 (£70) for two of us to check in at the airport – I thought I could just do it on my phone like every other airline.”
Wizz Air isn’t breaking any rules in the UK; the information is there on its website.
But, it’s easily missed unless you’re combing through the small print before your holiday.
Terms and conditions on Wizz Air’s website state: “Online check-in is available from 24 hours up to three hours before scheduled departure.
“Passengers who fail to check in online must complete the process at the airport and will be charged a fee as outlined in our terms.”
How to avoid the €40 fee
Here’s what travellers should do to stay one step ahead:
- Check in as soon as online check-in opens. For Wizz Air, that’s exactly 24 hours before your flight. Set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.
- Download your boarding pass immediately. Don’t rely on the app or airport WiFi, which can be unreliable. Print it at home, or save it to your smartphone’s wallet.
- Avoid leaving it until the morning of your flight – always check in the day before, then you know that you’re sorted.
A Wizz Air spokesperson said: “Like many other airlines, Wizz Air encourages all passengers to check-in online as early as possible before their scheduled departure time. We aim to make check-in simple for passengers and provide instructions during the booking process, on the Wizz Air website and via email reminders on how to check-in online to avoid fees.
“Customers who have not purchased seats with their booking, can check-in online 24 hours before departure via the Wizz Air app or website. At this point, they also have the opportunity to purchase a seat.
“Passengers who fail to check-in online, or who wish to check-in within three hours of their flight, must do so at the airport. This service can be pre-booked online for £12.00 or €13 per flight. Airport check-in without pre-booking costs £36.50 or €40.00. Full details on our check-in policy can be found on the Wizz Air website.
“Wizz Air does not discriminate against any passenger. While we are a digital-first airline, we offer special assistance to any passenger who might need it, abiding by all relevant UK CAA regulations, which specifies passengers who need special assistance should contact the airline at least 48-hours before departure. Wizz Air is fully committed to accommodating the special needs of any passenger who contacts them in the stipulated timeframe, which can also be requested by telephone.”