Menu
05/07/2012
OFT Gets Agreement From 12 Airlines To Scrap Debit Card Fees
The Office of Fair Trading has announced that twelve airlines, including easyJet and Ryanair, have agreed to no longer spring last-minute fees on customers paying by debit card.
The carriers have agreed to include debit card surcharges in the headline ticket price rather than surprise consumers at the end of the booking process.
There is also an agreement to make surcharges for credit cards clearer and easier to find during the booking process, the OFT added.
Following an OFT consumer law investigation Aer Lingus, BMI Baby, Eastern Airways, easyJet, Flybe, German Wings, Jet2, Lufthansa, Ryanair, Thomas Cook, Thomson (TUI) and Wizz Air have agreed to change their practices.
Clive Maxwell, the OFT's chief executive, said: "It is important that the cost presented when they search for a flight is realistic and that they are not surprised by extra charges."
The move will bring forward legislation to ban excessive debit and credit card surcharges, which cost airline passengers £300m a year.
The OFT said debit cards should not incur a surcharge online as they are the "online equivalent of cash" and so headline prices should be the price people pay.
(H)
The carriers have agreed to include debit card surcharges in the headline ticket price rather than surprise consumers at the end of the booking process.
There is also an agreement to make surcharges for credit cards clearer and easier to find during the booking process, the OFT added.
Following an OFT consumer law investigation Aer Lingus, BMI Baby, Eastern Airways, easyJet, Flybe, German Wings, Jet2, Lufthansa, Ryanair, Thomas Cook, Thomson (TUI) and Wizz Air have agreed to change their practices.
Clive Maxwell, the OFT's chief executive, said: "It is important that the cost presented when they search for a flight is realistic and that they are not surprised by extra charges."
The move will bring forward legislation to ban excessive debit and credit card surcharges, which cost airline passengers £300m a year.
The OFT said debit cards should not incur a surcharge online as they are the "online equivalent of cash" and so headline prices should be the price people pay.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 June 2011
OFT To Take Action Over Passenger Surcharges
The OFT has put passenger travel companies on notice to change misleading debit and credit card surcharging practices or face enforcement action under consumer protection laws.
OFT To Take Action Over Passenger Surcharges
The OFT has put passenger travel companies on notice to change misleading debit and credit card surcharging practices or face enforcement action under consumer protection laws.
08 October 2003
M&S backtracks over &More credit card after OFT probe
Marks and Spencer Financial Services (MSFS) has changed the way it will offer to replace its store cards by the &More credit card after action by the Office of Fair Trading. MSFS had sent out letters to many card holders saying that its store card would automatically be replaced by the &More credit card unless card holders objected.
M&S backtracks over &More credit card after OFT probe
Marks and Spencer Financial Services (MSFS) has changed the way it will offer to replace its store cards by the &More credit card after action by the Office of Fair Trading. MSFS had sent out letters to many card holders saying that its store card would automatically be replaced by the &More credit card unless card holders objected.
10 October 2005
Chip and PIN reducing card fraud
Chip and PIN cash cards are helping to reduce credit and debit card fraud in the UK, a banking body has reported. The Association of Payment Clearing Services (Apacs) reported that the cost of counterfeit and lost and stolen card fraud between January and June 2005 was £89.9 million – a drop of nearly a third from £126.
Chip and PIN reducing card fraud
Chip and PIN cash cards are helping to reduce credit and debit card fraud in the UK, a banking body has reported. The Association of Payment Clearing Services (Apacs) reported that the cost of counterfeit and lost and stolen card fraud between January and June 2005 was £89.9 million – a drop of nearly a third from £126.
26 August 2003
Warning issued after credit cards cloned at bank
Police are warning the public to be vigilant after reports of credit and debit card fraud were linked to a criminal operation in HSBC bank, Newbury. Police investigations into a report of debit card fraud have discovered that a skimming device had been installed underneath the card swipe which allows access to the lobby of the bank out of hours.
Warning issued after credit cards cloned at bank
Police are warning the public to be vigilant after reports of credit and debit card fraud were linked to a criminal operation in HSBC bank, Newbury. Police investigations into a report of debit card fraud have discovered that a skimming device had been installed underneath the card swipe which allows access to the lobby of the bank out of hours.
05 April 2006
OFT clamps down on credit card charges
The Office of Fair Trading has slammed credit card charges, saying that they have generally been set at "a significantly higher level than is legally fair". Credit card default charges are imposed when customers fail to make the minimum payment on the credit card on time or exceed their credit limit.
OFT clamps down on credit card charges
The Office of Fair Trading has slammed credit card charges, saying that they have generally been set at "a significantly higher level than is legally fair". Credit card default charges are imposed when customers fail to make the minimum payment on the credit card on time or exceed their credit limit.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
