Consumers purchasing cheap flight tickets via websites like Cheaptickets.nl, Vliegwinkel, or Kiwi may end up paying more, warns the Dutch Consumers’ Association. These ticket sites sell unnecessarily expensive tickets and conceal additional costs, as revealed by the association’s research.
They found the lowest prices for flights directly on airline websites, with some ticket sites lacking options from carriers like easyJet, KLM, or Ryanair. The study reviewed prices on eleven popular ticket sites and found that these sites charged up to four times more for baggage and seat reservations compared to airlines.
Director Sandra Molenaar highlighted that the situation has worsened since 2022. Prices initially appear reasonable, but high costs for optional services are later added.
Additionally, some sites charge for services such as online check-in, which airlines offer for free. The sites also pressure buyers with messages like “Prices are rising soon!” or “Book now for today’s best deal!” These claims are often fabricated, according to the association.
Mistakes, such as typos in passenger names, can result in significant costs. For instance, Gotogate requires a new ticket purchase for name corrections, unlike airlines that must assist without additional fees.
Source: NOS