Excessive Credit Card Charges to be Banned

[pollensa]

According to the BBC:

"Excessive" fees for using a debit or credit card to buy items such as travel or cinema tickets will be banned by the end of 2012, under government plans. The move comes amid complaints that airlines, booking agencies and even councils were imposing excessive charges for using a card. However, firms will be allowed to levy a "small charge" to cover payment processing costs.

The regulator has been investigating some airlines over surcharge clarity.

Complaint
Consumers buying a ticket online are often charged extra when they tick a box that says they intend to pay using a credit or debit card. Sometimes, consumers have found the payment is only added after they have ploughed their way through up to eight pages of a website.

Examples of these charges are a £6 per person, per leg "administration fee" charged on all but one card by Ryanair, an £8 per booking charge by Easyjet - plus 2.5% when using a credit card, a £4.50 per booking credit card fee from British Airways, and a charge of up to 17 euros (£14.16) per person by Air Berlin." See BBC News - Excessive card surcharges will be banned, says Treasuryhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16301923http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16301923

Will be interesting to see this pans out. I was actually thinking of getting the Ryanair card next month to get round these charges. I'm sure they'll think of something

 

[Deanscroft]

I´ve had a look at the Ryanair charge card and would urge anyone thinking of getting one to read all the small print. There are several `stealth charges´hidden away in there plus you have to top up with a minimum of 250 pounds each time.

 

[pollensa]

I´ve had a look at the Ryanair charge card and would urge anyone thinking of getting one to read all the small print. There are several `stealth charges´hidden away in there plus you have to top up with a minimum of 250 pounds each time.

Really? Will have a good look then...

 

[cumberland8]

Spot on Deans they have been doing this for years now its high time it was stopped, this is another reason we refuse to use Ryan air because by the time you have paid all the `hidden costs`you can fly with a decent Airline for less Robbing --------.

 

[pollensa]

I´ve had a look at the Ryanair charge card and would urge anyone thinking of getting one to read all the small print. There are several `stealth charges´hidden away in there plus you have to top up with a minimum of 250 pounds each time.

Have had a look - all I could find was a minimum top-up of £150. The card costs £6 to purchase, for the initial purchase you have to use a Credit/Debit card which may incur a bank charge (but not from Ryanair) & thereafter you can top-up via Bank transfer for no charge - minimum top-up £150.

There are charges for withdawing cash etc. but not when buying flights. Charge of £2.50/month if inactive for 6 months.

Otherwise it costs £6 per person/per flight - whatever card you use. So will be interesting to see how they comply with the new ruling.

 

[El Gordo]

I see Easyjet have now done away with free use of the Electron Card and have introduced a booking fee of £9 (was £8 for credit cards) for both Debit and Credit cards.

They may now be forced to incorporate this fee into the fare as it charges this fee across all payment methods.

 

[Gommar Goffer]

That is daylight robbery - debit card charges are less than 20p per transaction - if I tried that I know what my customers would do.....walk out the door.

 

[El Gordo]

That is daylight robbery - debit card charges are less than 20p per transaction - if I tried that I know what my customers would do.....walk out the door.

I agree GG, the only way round it will be for them to include it in their fares - that would be a good thing in one sense as then market forces will prevail!?

 

[Nick]

Rip-off Britain yet again....

 

[lollipop]

Ryanair have charged me 12€ for each flight for using visa debit card ,on 2 people travelling.