Hello there!
Edit: I'm sure this post belongs in [email protected] because this post's concern is with shilling facial recognition, promising benefits for it and overall describing it like the only sane option - "you wouldn't want to stay in line for an hour, now, would you?".
Just bought a Ryanair ticket that was, like, 17 euros. I saw that price and said "Wow! That's like going to a movie but the movie is Slovakia!". Bought the ticket, then received a looooot of spam, among which there was a letter saying that, since I bought from a third-party, I need to verify my identity first. On top there were 2 nice looking buttons that said "Verify Now" and above them there were two ways of verifying my identity enclosed in a nice frame. The first one would only take me 2 minutes and cost only 0.59 cents, and would utilize facial recognition technology,
Uses facial recognition technology. Verify in approx. 2 minutes. Requires a copy of the passenger's identification documentation and a device with a camera.
the other one didn't look so appetizing, because it might have taken up to 7 days (I'd be leaving in 4), it would have no cost (for free) and would use no facial recognition technology, hence the 7 day wait
Verifies the passenger's signature. Verify within 7 days. Requires a copy of the passenger's identification documentation and a device with a camera.
Following the two ways there was a third way, which was in no way highlighted as the first two, and it said that if I wanted, I could go there myself and hand them my passport, but they explicitly dissuade me from doing so because "it would imply a payment of a check-in fee"
Passengers who do not avail of Express Verification or Standard Verification to verify their bookings can verify at the Ryanair ticket desk up to 60 minutes before departure.
However, we do not recommend this option as an airport check-in fee will apply (please see our Table of Fees).
The facial recognition way sounded like an angel's voice among the devil's screams, when compared to the other two. It was presented almost like "an offer JUST for you", like "Look. I normally don't do this, but since you're such a nice guy...". I obviously discarded the facial-recognition way as soon as I read "facial recognition", but also because they so strongly suggested against me paying 55 euros (I called and asked) to them. Now, if the 55 euros are going to Ryanair, it sounds so unreasonable for them to almost refuse taking my money [However, we do not recommend this option as an airport check-in fee will apply (please see our Table of Fees).]. Who doesn't want an extra 55 from each old person that buys their ticket? I would, however, understand if that 55 were to go entirely to the airport, not Ryanair, but I don't think that's how it works (correct me if I'm wrong). It seemed like they wanted to own my face more than my 55 euros, so it must be that they would earn much more from my face than from my wallet. I don't want to allow that. I assume that, when applying to the facial recognition option, I would need to accept a specific ToS allowing them to store and sell my pretty little face around. I can't allow that. I also understand that this is a low-cost flight and they need to reach a certain earning with alternative methods (i.e. selling my face to third-party and whatnot), but since they allow to pay for the ticket AND the 55 for the check-in then that sum must cover the whole thing and it must be the non-low-cost full price. Why then would I sell you my face allowing you to use me to make much more money than you should? For the commodity of doing the verification from my couch in 2 minutes? That's not enough for me to sell myself, and neither should it be for anyone else (who has some, if not pride, then self-respect).
The whole picture looks a bit manipulative to me and I'd rather waste the money I spent on the two-way ticket and airbnb, stay home and never have anything to do with Ryanair.
I think this is just Ryanair trying to discourage 3rd party ticket sales more than anything else. They have always been very hostile towards that option. Of you want to fly Ryanair, buy directly from them, from my experience the prices are the same anyways and there's no face id required.
As for the €55 airport check-in fee, that definitely goes to Ryanair. They are just famous for trying to extract as much money post-sale as possible. It has nothing to do with the identification, it's just Ryanair not having free check-in on airport. I don't think your face has €55 value to them, it's the other way around. Using the airport check-in is kind of last resort option (for example when you didn't do the online check-in on time) and they know that customer would be in desperate enough situation to pay that much to fly.
This can happen for tickets booked through Ryanair website too. I was recently asked to do it and I don't use 3rd party booking websites.
Interesting. I wonder what were the circumstances. The wording on their page is quite vague as for when they'd might require this identification:
I generally avoid Ryanair where I can, but I flew with them many times before and never had this issue. They were one of the first airlines I encountered that required login to purchase tickets, so this is all in line with their behavior.
They are like a monkey with an automatic weapon that they can use to do stuff to others, but they're not yet sure how and when they are gonna do it
Just in general, discount airlines are always better to book directly through the website because they will give you options to bundle upgrades much cheaper during that initial purchase than later on. It is often like $75 for a seat upgrade, checked bag and priority boarding, vs $70 just for the bag if you do it later on.
If I actually decide to go, I think I'll pay that 55, so that they can have them until they spend them on doritos the following day, but letting them have my face would make them money even the next day and the day after that. Does that sound reasonable? A 55 for me, in this case, is a payment for intel (albeit an undesired one), like in hitman: blood money, to know who is the enemy and who is the friend