British Airways and easyJet passengers who buy travel ‘add-ons’ with flights are being ripped off by overpriced deals
BRITS who buy travel 'add-ons' with their flights are being ripped off by expensive deals, a new investigation has revealed.
The additional options often include travel insurance, car hire and coach transfers.
The compared some of the deals on the market compared to what is being offered by airlines.
Some were found to be up to £50 more expensive for the same offering.
For example, Brits booking car hire hire with easyJet to be included on a Newcastle to Malaga holiday could pay £119 with Europcar.
The same deal on those dates with Centauro would cost just £73 - as well as being a better recommended brand by Which?.
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A similar case with British Airways saw car rentals with Avis costing £126 for the week, compared to £75 with Enterprise when comparing the same dates.
Travel insurance was also found to be a problem.
While many airlines offered similar price rates for insurance, Which? found they fell short of what was offered.
Some had higher excess fees or lower claim allowances compared to other insurers recommended by Which?, even though they cost the same amount.
Naomi Leach, Which? Travel Editor told Sun Online Travel: "Nowadays, airlines want you to book everything for your trip through their websites because every little bit of extra commission for them adds up, whether it’s fast-track security or a Ford Fiesta in Funchal for five days.
"But we would always recommend shopping around because while it may seem more convenient, there’s no point in spending £13 on cheap and cheerful insurance if you’re going to be out of pocket should you be unfortunate enough to have to make a claim."
British Airways were unable to comment on the issue.
An easyJet spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: "easyJet customers only pay for what they want in terms of ancillary products. Our approach is about providing customers with choice and the products they want which reflects the profile of customers we fly.
"Our car hire with Europcar provides a range of options at varying prices for customers and as part of our partner promise if they find it elsewhere at a better price we will refund double the difference. Additionally, no unexpected extra charges will be added at the time of car collection.
"Similarly for travel insurance, which is covered by Zurich, customers can tailor the policy to suit their trip and exclusively to easyJet will also benefit from the kids being free on all policies.
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"More than 90 million passengers will choose to fly with easyJet this year and 50 per cent of our passengers pay on average less than £50 so there is no doubt customers receive very good value for money."
Ryanair was slammed by passengers last month after many claimed it was impossible to make a claim on the airline's car hire price promise.
Many claimed that they were not given enough time to make the claim.