Airlines who add disproportionate amounts to debit card charges will face action under consumer protection laws, the UK’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has announced. OFT estimates UK consumers spent £300m on payment surcharges during 2009.
In a statement, clearly aimed at some airlines who are economical with the truth regarding the actual cost of booking, the OFT is emphatic. “We believe there is (also) a strong case for a change in the law so that the cost of using a debit card, the almost universal payment method for today's online consumers, is always included within the headline price.”
The cost of processing debit cards is estimated to be 20p a transaction, but companies have been found to add up to £8 to final bills for payment by a debit card. Businesses negotiate charges with their credit card handler, with the arrangement per transaction normally fixed at between £2 and £4.
Whilst British Airways and Monarch (and Eurostar) do not charge for the use of a debit card, Ryanair has come up with a £6 administration fee per passenger, per flight or £12 for a return trip. For a typical family of four this adds £48 to the holiday bill. www.oft.gov.uk
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