Ryanair has launched a new subscription service that promises to give discounts to frequent travellers.
The new scheme which launched Monday March 24 is called Prime, and offers passengers discounts that the budget airline say could add up to £420 a year.
Ryanair Prime costs £79 per year, and will include member benefits such as free reserved seats, free travel insurance and access to 12 annual member-exclusive seat sales (one booking per month).
Ryanair’s CMO, Dara Brady, said: ‘Ryanair “Prime” is a new subscriber discount scheme for frequent flyers that want to fly regularly but don’t want to break the bank to do so.’
The CEO says the ‘modest’ £79 will deliver ‘great savings’, putting the total amount saved at £420 for members who fly 12 times per year.
So, let’s crunch the numbers.
If a passenger buys reserved seats on 12 flights per year, that amounts to £120. Travel insurance for those same flights would cost £180. On top of that, Ryanair say a traveller would save a minimum of £120 (£10 per seat) on 12 seats bought in a sale. Add that together and you get £420.
Even if you don’t fly that frequently, it’s still a good deal, according to the budget airline. Ryanair say that even if you only fly three times a year, you’ll still save £105.
Some passengers have been thrilled by news of the new scheme. Metro reader Angela Keating said: ‘For frequent flyers, it’s a good deal.’ While Chris Robinson said: ‘That’s a game-changer for people who travel a lot. Just think of all the extra holidays you could afford!’
And Sonia Burmby said: ‘Love Ryanair! Flown with them for years…..does exactly what it says on the tin!’
What are Metro readers saying about Ryanair's new Prime service?
While lots of Metro readers are excited by Ryanair’s new subscription service, others have a more mixed reaction.
For some, the idea of flying Ryanair at all is a big no. Fiona Borges-Da Silva said: ‘I would NEVER fly with them. Once was enough.’ Amanda Tunnicliffe echoed the sentiment saying: ‘Would rather swim than get on one of their planes.’
Some passengers also questioned whether the £79 price tag was worth it.
‘if you ask me. Not much in it for £79,’ wrote Richie Fine. ‘At least give people priority boarding and two cabin bags to make it worth while.’ And Diana Pauzaite-McCurley said: ‘For people who fly regularly in year 3+ times might be good, but to people flying once a year… I don’t think will work.’
Others raised concerns about Ryanair encouraging passengers to take lots of flights within the space of a year.
Sandra Brady wrote: ‘Absolutely awful. We have CLIMATE CHANGE and Ryanair thinks it’s a good policy to reward frequent flyers! I am totally dismayed and angry.’
Dara Brady added: ‘Ryanair has been delivering the lowest fares (and the best services) in Europe for the last four decades, and we’re now extending our price leadership with the launch of our exciting new subscriber discount scheme.
So, if you like flying regularly while also saving money, then Ryanair ‘Prime’ is a no-brainer.’
The discount scheme is limited to just just 250,000 customers on a first come, first served basis, so head to Ryanair.com if you want to sign up.
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Ryanair isn’t the only budget airline to offer travellers even more discounts.
Wizz Air has an ‘all you can fly’ scheme, for £495 (€599) for a yearly membership.
For your cash, you get access to unlimited flights to 200 destinations in over 50 countries, although you still need to pay a flat fee of £8.27 (€9.99) per booking.
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