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Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

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191–200 of 207 posts

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#191
post #29

That “Don’t Insure Me” option hidden in the middle of a country list is pure evil. I’m used to seeing dark patterns everywhere but that’s a first for me. From where I stand, it’s not fair to charge the hell out of people who fall for these tricks while giving steep discounts to the ones who don’t. Maybe there’s a “fool me once” aspect to Ryanair’s shenanigans, so at least their impact might be limited somehow.

I have no sympathy, and even less respect, for people who choose to fly with Ryanair and then complain about these patterns. After 32 years of Ryanair in its current incarnation nobody can claim naivety. Dance with the devil and he pipes the tune.

Well yes but they have become worse.

It used to be pretty easy going if you just paid up for everything you need. I preferred it over the traditional Airlines because with them you have to suffer first before you build enough points for fast boarding etc. With Ryanair you could just pay and if you did you would be given no hassle by the staff. Even onboard food and drink prices were pretty ok.

But recently they've reduced the carryon bag to unusable proportions and their staff is ever ruder and pushy.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#192
post #59

I just ordered a pizza from Uber Eats here in Taiwan and was offered the option to "Try Uber One". Clicking "Try now" in fact just signs you up for Uber One. So I suppose you are, technically, trying it. For money. Dirty. I'm Australian and I'm sure that wouldn't be legal.

And Uber one doesn't really offer much. Even with the discount they are still more expensive than local alternative Glovo and Cabify.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#194
post #14

The funny thing about our era is that there is no censorship on corporations, but the state is very active in censoring individuals. Sometimes I feel that legal action is needed against the UX dark patterns of these corporations

Sure there's censorship on corporations. Look at how PayPal and other payment processors have been treating Steam lately. And any other platform that promotes individual freedom. Corporations are no longer immune as long as they don't support the ideology.

I think they meant state sponsored censorship. Which definitely does exist, but it seems companies are quite creative in circumnavigating a lot of it.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#195

I consider myself kind of sensitive to being forced to do stuff, but Ryanair just doesn't seem that bad. Of course, you get a million offers for things you probably don't need, but I genuinely don't feel like they're trying to scam me. It's like ad-supported Spotify or something. Annoying, but not actively trying to vacuum up my credit card.

“Ad” supported? It’s other people holding the bag for falling for these.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#198
post #86

I want to remind everyone just how bad of a deal travel insurance is. Yes, there are instances where travel insurance makes sense or may be practically a requirement. Health and/or evacuation insurance for foreign travel and/or cruising may be practically a necessity. You don’t want to be paying tens of thousands of dollars when you need a helicopter to take you off your cruise ship to a hospital. But if your primary…

> Rental cars That's a whole new can of worms though. Their scams can be a lot more expensive, and are usually after the fact (although they'll try them at the pickup counter too). It's one of those things I will specifically always arrange through a third party that covers insurance as well, which is really an insurance against the rental companies scams.

My credit card pretty much covers anything that can go wrong with car insurance, as well as insures the full value of the vehicle.

I do realize that this may not be available in countries that properly regulate credit cards so that they don’t create a caste system of rewards card benefits.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#199
post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Rental cars That's a whole new can of worms though. Their scams can be a lot more expensive, and are usually after the fact (although they'll try them at the pickup counter too). It's one of those things I will specifically always arrange through a third party that covers insurance as well, which is really an insurance against the rental companies scams.

My credit card pretty much covers anything that can go wrong with car insurance, as well as insures the full value of the vehicle. I do realize that this may not be available in countries that properly regulate credit cards so that they don’t create a caste system of rewards card benefits.

This in itself is a problem. I only need a credit card for car rental. (Been refused a debit card, which would technicallt work, but reasons?) Why? Because it's a poisened industry.

Re: Ryanair dark UX patterns summer 2026 refresher

#200

No comment about how you must download the app and it is the only way to access your pass? There is not even a QR code or barcode for the pass available any other way?

Yes, great point. Privacy / dark pattern concerns aside, I used to like having a paper pass in case something happened to my device. I wonder what would happen in practice if you printed a screenshot of the app? After all, a screenshot on a phone works fine.

I always use a screenshot – reliable, no internet connection needed. Never had a problem so far...
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