When booking on-line and before paying – do a check on the website!

The Air Service Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 provides clear rules on the obligations for the travel industry to provide an “all-inclusive” final price at the beginning of the booking process, a breakdown of the final “all inclusive” price which is to include the fare or rate, the taxes, the airport charges and other charges and a clear distinction between unavoidable and optional charges. The Regulation also prescribes how this information must be presented to consumers: for instance, optional charges must be offered in an “opt-in basis”.

These rules apply to fares and rates published on the Internet. Airlines and tour operators selling airline tickets for air services departing from an EU airport are under the obligation to comply with these provisions since 1st November 2008.

This is the 14 points Check List for website’s compliance with Consumer Rights Legislation in the Airline Sector.

1. Do prices include all applicable, unavoidable and foreseeable taxes, charges, surcharges and fees? (All applicable, unavoidable and foreseeable booking fees, payment fees, administration fees, check-in fees)
2. Are all the optional price supplements of the flight offered on an “opt in basis” without the need for the consumer to remove a tick from any box to opt-out?
3. Where tickets are described and sold as free by air carriers, does this mean that consumers do not have to pay anything other than the unavoidable cost of responding to the offer or paying for the delivery or collection of the ticket? And: Where tickets are described as free by air carriers but purchased through a distinct intermediary, does this mean that consumers do not have to pay anything other than the unavoidable cost of responding to the offer, the paying for the delivery or collection of the ticket, or the charges for the distinct intermediary’s services ?
4. Are the limitations or conditions attached to the offer clearly displayed?
5. Are the identity of the company and its contact details clearly indicated?
6. Is the same language used throughout the selling process, including advertising and the standard contract terms and conditions?
7. Is access to air fares granted without any discrimination based on nationality, place of residence, or establishment of the air carrier’s agent or ticket seller within the community?
8. Is it stated whether the relevant flight is a non-stop service or whether the flight is operated with a stop at an intermediate point?
9. Where certain charges cannot be calculated in advance (e.g. luggage fees), are consumers clearly informed that such charges may be payable and of the manner in which they will be calculated?
10. Are the airports of departure and destination clearly indicated by including the full and official name of the airport and not by making reference only to the capital or the best known city nearby?
11. Are all the standard contract terms and conditions, including the limitations to special offers and the conditions for cancellation and modification of the tickets written in a clear manner using readable characters?
12. Are the standard contract terms available to the consumer before the ticket is bought?
13. Can the consumer retain (print-out or save otherwise) a copy of the company’s standard terms and conditions at the time of purchase?
14. Does the website include the unmodified Annex of the Regulation 889/2002 on air carrier liability governing liability for passengers and their baggage?

Check and book online with confidence!

Source: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/238&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en