Wizz Air Forced Airport Check-In Fee After Blocking Online Check-In
For my Wizz Air flight W6 2317 departing from Budapest, Hungary at 6:55 PM and arriving in Berlin, Germany at 8:20 PM on December 25, I attempted to complete online check-in days in advance. However, despite repeated attempts, the system presented additional charges at every step and did not allow me to proceed unless I paid extra fees for seat selection and baggage. Because of this, I was unable to complete online check-in and was forced to check in at the airport. During the check-in process at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, I was charged approximately 50 Euro solely for check-in. When I contacted Kiwi.com, the platform through which I purchased my ticket, I was told to pay the fee and that they would refund it if I submitted the receipt after the flight. Based on this information, I had no choice but to pay the fee, but my refund request was later rejected. The Wizz Air staff at the airport were extremely dismissive and stated that there was nothing they could do and that I was required to pay the fee. I find this practice—forcing passengers to pay extra for seats and baggage during online check-in, and then charging such a high amount at the airport for a basic check-in process—completely unfair and harmful to passengers. Being forced to pay more for check-in than for the flight ticket itself is unacceptable. I am requesting that Wizz Air and Kiwi.com fully refund the approximately 50 Euro check-in fee I paid at Budapest Airport and issue a formal apology for the hardship caused. I have receipts and supporting documents for the payment and can provide them if requested.
