Easyjet have launched to much fanfare a "new" concept to ticketing ..... the "Flexi Fare" !!!!! Now I remember some 20 years ago that British Airways use to have fully flexible fares so Im not too sure which smart ass thought it was a new idea. Back in those days you even use to get a FREE Daily Mail newspaper, sandwich, drinks - including alcoholic ones and you didn't have to pay extra for baggage - it was all included in the ticket price. It looks like things have gone round full circle.

 

I decided to compare the prices and was astonished at the premium being charged. The "benefits" to the flexi fare include: unlimited date changes within a 4 week period of your original date, speedy boarding and 1 piece of 20kg hold luggage. I chose a 2 week return flight leaving London Gatwick on Friday 1st July and returning on Thursday 14th July. The standard fare PLUS adding speedy boarding and 1 piece of hold luggage came to £165.98. The Flexi fare came to £365.98 ...... £200 MORE for the "benefit" of being able to change the date - albeit within a limited time period. I am somewhat puzzled as to who Easyjet are marketing this fare to - surely a "business traveller" would chose the cheapest option especially as it is only a 2 hour flight from London! Just to add to the equation I checked Monarch for the same dates and similar departure times, with luggage and priority boarding and it came to £150.96 !!!! The moral of the story is shop around all the so called "Low Cost" carriers before booking.