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In this Flightgift review, you’ll discover why Flightgift is not a great gift idea. If you have received a gift card from Flightgift, this review shows you what you’re getting into.
Last Christmas, I received a Flightgift gift card. While using it, I uncovered so much that I want to warn you before buying from Flightgift. It is legit, but that doesn’t mean it’s great.
Flightgift Review
Summary
Flightgift may seem like the perfect gift for a globetrotter. However, flights on Flightgift are almost always overpriced. The recipient gets better value if you gift cash or a personalised gift card.
What Is Flightgift?
Flightgift is a Dutch company that enables its customers to gift flight vouchers. You can redeem vouchers on Flightgift’s website to book flights. Flightgift works like a travel agency for which you can buy gift cards.
Flightgift was established in 2014 by Loes Daniels and Jorik Schroeder. It now has offices in Amsterdam and Athens and is open to customers from all over the globe. Through Flightgift, you can book flights with 400 international airlines to 980+ destinations.
Is Flightgift Legit?
Flightgift is legit. Experiencegift, a registered company in the UK, the US, and the Netherlands, operates the Flightgift website.
- UK: Experiencegift Ltd., registration number 13252343
- US: Experiencegift Inc., registration number 6528394
- The Netherlands: Experiencegift B.V., registration number 59310685
Flightgift is also popular on Trustpilot, with an average score of 4.6 out of 5.0. Overall, 94% of users rated Flightgift as great or excellent.
What Is Trustpilot?
Overall, there are over 150 million reviews on Trustpilot. You can generally get a good understanding of the legitimacy and customer-friendliness of a company.
There are 5 Reasons to Stay Away From Flightgift
1. Flightgift Prices Are Expensive
When you buy a Flightgift gift card, the recipient will get poor value for your money. Flights on Flightgift are more expensive compared to airline websites. It’s normal for travel agencies to charge inflated prices. This is how they make money. The price difference is the fee for using their service.
Flightgift states that it has a markup of 2-10%. Hence, flights should be 2-10% more expensive than airline websites. In reality, Flightgift sometimes charges more than 10%.
Below is an example of Flightgift charging 12% more than the airline website (Easyjet). Flightgift charges £362 compared to Easyjet’s price of £323 for the same flight. This is not a cherry-picked example. It was the first search I did on Flightgift.
Here is a more extensive list showing the price differences.
| Flight | Flightgift Price | Price on Airline Website |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways London (LHR) to Milan (LIN) 1st Dec, 3.00 PM | £115 | £74 |
| Iberia London (LHR) to Madrid (MAD) 1st Dec, 7.40 PM | £138 | £76 |
| British Airways London (LHR) to Hamburg (Ham) 1st Dec, 06.50 AM | £153 | £86 |
| Big Sky Airlines London (LGW) to Ahtens (ATH) 1st Dec, 1.15 PM | £162 | £145 |
| Norwegian Air International London (LGW) to Stockholm (ARN) 1st Dec, 8.10 PM | £106 | £86 |
2. Gift Cards Have an Expiry Date
Flightgift gift cards are only valid for two years. If the recipient does not use the gift card within this time frame, it will become worthless.
Two years may seem like a long time. However, in reality, time passes quickly. People may not immediately get time off work. Or they may have children, which makes everything harder to organise.
There are also extra costs associated with travelling. Overall, it may be better for the recipient to save money than to travel. Before buying a gift card, check that the recipient can use the full value within two years.
3. There Could Be Extra Fees
When you redeem a gift card on Flightgift, there may be extra fees to pay. Flightgift only offers flights, so there are extra fees for:
- Upgrading a ticket
- Adding luggage
- Adding other add-ons
You cannot pay for any of this with a Flightgift gift card. There also may be communication errors between Flightgift and the airline. This could mean extra fees and extra hassle.
4. Flightgift Does Not Offer Refunds
You cannot get a refund for your Flightgift gift card. Typically, gift cards are non-refundable to prevent fraud. Theoretically, you could note the code from the card, get a refund, and then use the code.
How Can You Buy Flightgift Gift Cards?
The buying process is simple if you still want to proceed with Flightgift. All you need to do is click through the steps shown on the website. You can choose a custom image for your card. The value can be between £25 and £10,000. You can choose to receive the voucher in different ways:
- By post (free)
- As a printable PDF
- Via Email
How Can You Redeem a Gift Card on Flightgift?
You can redeem your gift card directly on the website. Select “Redeem” from the top menu and search for flights. Then click on “Book” when you have found flights.
If the flights are more expensive than the gift card value, you can pay the difference directly online. If the flight is cheaper than the gift card, use the remaining balance for another flight. You cannot convert it into cash.
You can only pay for upgrades or extras on the airline website. Airlines do not accept Flightgift gift cards, so you must pay with your own money.
Are There Alternatives to Flightgift Gift Cards?
Using a Flightgift gift card is not efficient. There are several better ways you can gift the experience of a holiday:
- Gift cash. Gifting cash may be seen as tacky by some, but the recipient will get far better value.
- Gift a self-made gift card. Simply create a gift card yourself with the promise that you will pay a certain amount towards the recipient’s next holiday.
- Invite the recipient to an experience. Depending on your budget, this could be a restaurant dinner or a weekend trip.
- Gift travel accessories. You can gift a suitcase or a passport holder (talk to your loved one to see what they need).
If you are unsure about the value of your gift, read more about the average birthday present cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airlines accept Flightgift vouchers?
Over 400 airlines worldwide accept Flightgift, giving you many options. This variety ensures that you can find a flight that suits your needs.
Why should I choose Flightgift over other options?
There are several reasons to choose Flightgift. For example, its website, airline options, and customer service. Flightgift has advantages, although it is more expensive than other options.
How does Flightgift compare to other flight gift cards?
Flightgift offers a unique and convenient way to gift flights to your loved ones. However, it is also more expensive than other agencies.
Is using Flightgift more costly than booking directly?
Yes, Flightgift is more costly than booking directly. Compare prices from different sources to ensure you get the best deal. Booking on the airline website also means you have access to promotions.
What do users say about Flightgift on Reddit?
Users on Reddit appreciate Flightgift’s extensive choices in airlines and the booking process. They also praise the company’s customer service and quick resolution of queries. On the other hand, some users also experienced poor customer service.
Can I trust Flightgift?
Yes, you can trust Flightgift. The site has many positive reviews and excellent ratings on platforms like Trustpilot. User testimonials highlight the company’s commitment to providing reliable services.
Flightgift Review Summary
Flightgift enables you to buy gift cards for flights. You can redeem gift cards directly on the website and book flights from 400 airlines.
While this may sound like a nice gift, Flightgift flights are more expensive than airline websites. Several restrictions exist for using these gift cards, including the expiry date. Overall, I do not recommend using Flightgift. It is more cost effective to gift cash or a self-made gift card.
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