I recently tried to book a flight through a website Fly.co.uk, but decided not to go ahead when I found that bookings can be made directly with the airline (in this case BMIBaby) for Aus$800 (£430) less – and also that booking direct would avoid incurring a fee.

I had already input into Fly.co.uk my prepaid Visa Debit card details, but the company was not able to take the £100 service charge as I withdrew all money from the card before they could get their hands on it.

I am now receiving emails from Fly.co.uk asking me to transfer the £100 fee directly into their bank account. I have told them what they could do with their fee, but feel you should warn others. JB, Melbourne, Australia

We have featured this German website, which is endorsed by the football star Michael Ballack, several times in these pages before, but another warning is timely given that many people book flights in January. We would recommend that readers ignore this site – you will always find it cheaper to book no-frills flights direct with the airline in question.

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