Legality of Ryanair's advertising

[Hagar]

I suppose if the advertising is directed solely at those people who hold a certain type of credit card then it is spot on. If Ryanair honestly wished to sell to only MBNA/Electron card holders via their campaign I'm sure they could easily get their hands on a mailing list that would target them exactly.

But that is not what they are doing, is it? The adverts are directed at as many of the general public as possible regardless of their personal financial arrangements. I think I could safely say that the number of the public who don't have this specific credit card far outnumber those who do. The advertiser knows this and is being deliberately "cute" about the whole matter. So yes, the ads are misleading in as much as what they offer is not actually available to the majority of those who are targetted by the ad.

[axer]

Originally Posted by Hagar

I suppose if the advertising is directed solely at those people who hold a certain type of credit card then it is spot on. If Ryanair honestly wished to sell to only MBNA/Electron card holders via their campaign I'm sure they could easily get their hands on a mailing list that would target them exactly.

But that is not what they are doing, is it? The adverts are directed at as many of the general public as possible regardless of their personal financial arrangements. I think I could safely say that the number of the public who don't have this specific credit card far outnumber those who do. The advertiser knows this and is being deliberately "cute" about the whole matter. So yes, the ads are misleading in as much as what they offer is not actually available to the majority of those who are targetted by the ad.

It is possible for each of those to get the flights at that price if they want to plus Irish customers are not their only customers - the VISA electron card is also available in other countries too.

[cast_iron]

Originally Posted by axer

It is possible for each of those to get the flights at that price if they want to

The Gift Card costs €6. I know Ryanair itself does not charge this fee, but any Irish person must pay it to get the flights from Ryanair for "€5".

Originally Posted by axer

plus Irish customers are not their only customers - the VISA electron card is also available in other countries too.

Irrelevant. Irish ad and Irish laws apply.


Ryanair will claim they are not responsible for an external companies fees. But if only one company in Ireland offers "Visa Electron", at a cost of €6, then the ad could well be judged to be "misleading".

[Bond-007]

And the ASAI is powerless to do anything. The ASAI have found against Ryanair many times and Ryanair continue to advertise in breach of ASAI codes. Enuff said.

[Kotek Besar]

Originally Posted by axer

Incorrect the purchaser is not forced to pay the CC fee.

Well, yes, he is, actually.

Originally Posted by axer

Incorrect, MBNA offer a Visa electron gift card whereby there are no fees.

They did, but they don't anymore. In case, this was merely a gift card which cost €6 to buy and could not be topped up. It was never a debit card by the usual definition.

Originally Posted by axer

Your argument is incorrect in its entirety since it is possible for Irish customers to get the flight at the advertised price thus your complaint was a complete waste of time....next!

axer, what a charming individual you are! Work for Ryanair by any chance do you? Or do you have another reason to try and steer away from the fact that Ryanair advertise a product to the Irish market, that could not be obtained by the majority of Irish residents, by any reasonable means, and now cannot be obtained at all?

[Time Magazine]

Originally Posted by Tarakiwa

I think that they will care that the ASAI have informed the NCA - who do have powers and real teeth!!

Lol. I'm sure Ryanair quake in their boots at the NCA.

It would be hilarious if the National Consumer Agency starting picking on Ryanair.

[Gangu]

Originally Posted by The Economist

Lol. I'm sure Ryanair quake in their boots at the NCA.

It would be hilarious if the National Consumer Agency starting picking on Ryanair.

The NCA are fairly toothless as far as I can see, loads of rights and they dont exercise them. Their recent draft guidance on advertising is laughable.

[jimmysull]

Here is the status today:

Ryanair are advertising "free flights including taxes & charges" on their website right now.
However to book a return flight from dublin to Stansted costs €0.02 (which I can live with under the definition of "free") plus a handling charge of €20

Therefore a flight which is boldly advertised as free costs €20.02 right now.

Yes people from other countries can get it for €0.02 but an irish resident can't. This advertisement on the homepage is clearly targetted at irish residents as it clearly identifies me as being located in Ireland and serves up Euro pricing and Irish departure airports as the initial view. Ryanair are geographically targetting what is served on their website and therefore it is within their power to place a correct price on the page. Yet they choose to serve the Free (€20) flights ad to irish residents.

This is false advertising by whatever standard you apply.

[jimmysull]

You can now make a consumer complaint to the NCA easily via their form:

http://www.consumerconnect.ie/eng/Wo...mer_Complaint/

If enough people actually take the time to make the complaint then the NCA will have to stop ignoring us

[axer]

Originally Posted by jimmysull

Here is the status today:

Ryanair are advertising "free flights including taxes & charges" on their website right now.
However to book a return flight from dublin to Stansted costs €0.02 (which I can live with under the definition of "free") plus a handling charge of €20

Therefore a flight which is boldly advertised as free costs €20.02 right now.

Yes people from other countries can get it for €0.02 but an irish resident can't. This advertisement on the homepage is clearly targetted at irish residents as it clearly identifies me as being located in Ireland and serves up Euro pricing and Irish departure airports as the initial view. Ryanair are geographically targetting what is served on their website and therefore it is within their power to place a correct price on the page. Yet they choose to serve the Free (€20) flights ad to irish residents.

This is false advertising by whatever standard you apply.

What about people who are resident in Ireland but have bank accounts elsewhere where the Visa Electron is offered? I understand that an Irish person, for example, can open a bank account in Spain and get a Visa electron card.

[Bond-007]

It don't matter as Ryanair have been found guilty of misleading advertising before. As there are no penalties they shall continue on regardless. The ASAI and the NCA are powerless to act.

[jimmysull]

Originally Posted by axer

What about people who are resident in Ireland but have bank accounts elsewhere where the Visa Electron is offered? I understand that an Irish person, for example, can open a bank account in Spain and get a Visa electron card.

Only if you pretend you live in Spain or lived there before

[Kotek Besar]

Originally Posted by jimmysull

Only if you pretend you live in Spain or lived there before

Actually, if you live in Ireland and have never lived in Spain you can still open an account with Lloyds TSB Spain and get a Visa Electron card.

[madmoe]

Hi guys,
Has anyone actually opened an account with Lloyds TSB Spain and gotten a Visa Electron card? I have just e-maile them there now....

M

[Mr. Incognito]

You know what you should do- you should boycott them.

I'm sure you can get flights for 20 euro elsewhere...................