Would that be by card or card?
The Office for Fair Trading (OFT) today completed their investigation into misleading prices for flights with 'hidden' surcharges. This all follows a super-complaint made by Which? who argued for more transparent pricing and in particular, for an end to surcharges for payments made by debit card.
A total of 14 airlines were being investigated including budget favourites easyJet and Ryanair. This will mean that debit card charges must be included in the headline price - on airline websites as well as all marketing material. Airlines will also be required to make pricing for their flights more transparent meaning that it should be clear from the outset that if you choose to pay by credit card, there will be an additional fee - as well as how much that is.
Several airlines have already made changes. Monarch was the first to drop debit card charges when the OFT announced they would be investigating the practice. Earlier this year, Flybe, also said that they would be scrapping the fees for debit cards. Other airlines including easyJet have made moves to make their pricing more transparent in their marketing material.
Ryanair who are easily the biggest low-cost carrier in Europe have agreed to include its admin fee per flight (of £6/€6) in all advertising and on its website. Moreover, from 1 December, the airline have said that they will no longer surcharge for payments made by debit cards. And to further benefit customers using Ryanair's cash passport card, who currently do not pay the charge, a discount will be given. It makes sense - the card would be a little redundant otherwise!
The OFT estimate that consumers spend £300 million a year on card surcharges on air fares. You can find more information on the OFT's investigation here. Here's a big hurrah for flight bookings made much less frustrating!
Always ahead of the game...
As our exisiting customers already know, CarJet don't charge for debit cards at all! Enjoy great prices with no hidden costs and visit CarJet the next time you need a car hire.