Take out a Ryanair Cash Passport… or pay £12 admin fee per trip

From October 4 the only way to avoid Ryanair’s £6 each way “admin fee” will be to take out its new Ryanair Cash Passport Mastercard prepaid card. Those using the card to purchase tickets online at ryanair.com will not have to pay the carrier’s £6 per person per flight admin fee, which Ryanair says “relates to the costs associated with Ryanair's booking system”. Cardholders will also avoid payment transaction fees for Ryanair flight purchases made online, and until March 31, 2012 no fees will be payable on any UK purchases made using the card. Note that the card - managed by Access Prepaid Worldwide - costs £6, but cardholders will receive a £6 travel voucher towards a Ryanair flight. From October 4, all UK bookings made with any credit or debit cards, including any UK Mastercard prepaid card other than the Ryanair Cash Passport card, will be liable for the £6 per flight admin fee. For more information visit ryanair.com. Report by Mark Caswell