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Airlines to include debit card charges in prices

Twelve major airlines have agreed to include debit card charges in headline prices rather than adding additional charges on to the end of the online booking process.

Easyjet and Ryanair are two of the providers who have pledged to change their policy, following enforcement action by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Under the new regulations airlines have also agreed to clarify and credit card charges early in the booking process, and the Government is now looking into legislation across the whole sector to ensure all companies across the sector follow suit.

Other airlines which are also set to make the changes include Aer Lingus, BMI Baby, Eastern Airways, Flybe, German Wings, Jet2, Lufthansa, Thomas Cook, Thomson and Wizz Air.

From 1 August Ryanair will be required to include a £6 per flight administrative fee in advertised prices, and from 1 December the prices will also be included in the firm’s website headline prices.

Any passengers using Ryanair’s cash passport card and who had previously been immune from charges will be offered a discount.

Eastern Airways, Easyjet, Flybe, German Wings, Lufthansa, Thomas Cook, Thomson (TUI) and Wizz Air have already made changes to their pricing structures, websites and marketing material.

Commenting on the changes Clive Maxwell the head of the OFT said: “This is a great outcome for the millions of people who buy flights online.

It is estimated that card surcharges cost consumers around £300 million annually.

Consumer group Which? issued a super-complaint about the issue, which resulted in the OFT securing some voluntary changes in prices by some airlines.

Alex Mifsud, CEO of travel technology firm, Ixaris commented: “It’s wonderful news that twelve airlines have finally agreed to include debit card surcharges within advertised flight prices instead of adding charges at the end of the booking process.

“Sneaky card surcharges have long been a scourge of the travel industry. Consumers can now enjoy a transparent pricing structure, and a clear message that paying for flights by debit or prepaid cards will cost less.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .