Everyone’s favourite airline – Ryanair – today announced something that would had been unthinkable a few months ago.
Nope. O’Leary hasn’t gone, but a new payment method is being accepted – that method being… American Express
American Express and Ryanair have come to terms to take Amex cards as Ryanair works out that 20%+ of its customers actually take the airline for business purposes (which although sounds odd, on certain city to city routes where there is no secondary airport, or the secondary airport is so well-connected, they fly the route – e.g. Birmingham <> Dublin, London <> Dublin, etc). Even Spain shows 22% of the loadings is business traffic.
And even the ultra-low cost airlines can’t miss that traffic, where corporate credit cards are branded with American Express all over them and with businesses tightening all their belts to save money.
American Express cards are charged 2% of transaction total (like all credit cards Ryanair), which can be less painful for short cheap flights.
As we all know, when travelling with Ryanair, you play by their rules to the letter to save your costs. Whilst taking of Amex could help attract some travellers, it might not be enough for those who need flexible bookings.
Still, it showing Ryanair has some flexibility – which if the airline is going after the corporate market, can only be a good thing. For American Express cardholders – it could be the chance to use another option – especially if it earns you reward points.
Whilst you can choose to fly Low-cost, you only get a Lufthansa First Class duck when flying out of a First Class Terminal…
… or you can win one with GhettoIFE!
Head to http://economyclassandbeyond.boardingarea.com/2013/09/23/ghettoife-giveaway-lufthansa-rubber-duck/, and when the entry count hits 100… I’ll put another prize on the pile!
That’s good news. I like to pay with Amex for the insurance benefits it gives me plus of course the extra miles. I’ve been lucky, on the routes I’ve flown in the past Ryanair has rarely been an option and it’s never been the only choice. But perhaps if MOL is honest about becoming more customer friendly (no needlessly pissing them off as he put it) then if they end up being an option on a route I fly then I could seriously consider them.