Credit card Booking fees

hazelize_uk

Avoiding Paying Credit Card Booking Fees - This is my first thread so hope im doing it right!! Not sure if this belongs here or Holidays so i'll stick it in both!!

Im sure i'm not alone - but I REALLY object to paying the 2% credit card handling fee when booking holidays - I usually try and get away with it by insisting that the advisor promised to waive the fee at the point of booking, but this year Thomas Cook are having none of it!! They insist that the charge is made by the Credit card Company and not by them. Does anyone know if this is true??

just trying to figure out now if going overdrawn for a month would be cheaper than the £30 CC Charge!

The telephone advisor tried to point out that it is ONLY £30 - but i still think its £30 id rather keep than fritter away if i dont have to!! (I sound so cheap now!) :rotfl:


I know that they do the same thing when booking tickets etc for shows but i always try a little arguing first it sometimes works!

If anyone knows a way to get around this i would love to know! I need to pay the balance by 9th Feb so i need an answer quick!

grumbler

hazelize_uk wrote:

...They insist that the charge is made by the Credit card Company and not by them. Does anyone know if this is true??

AFAIK Visa/Mastercard/Amex charge retailers (and possibly share this money with CC providers). It is a known fact that charges for credit cards are higher than for debit cards. I think it is fair when you have a choice between paying more with a credit card and paying less with a debit card.

Galstonian

I understand that agent commissions have been cut this year, it may not be for all holidays or operators but if true it will mean less leeway for them when trying to clinch a sale.

TBH I think you should pay at least a £100 deposit with your credit card to take advantage of the additional safeguards offered. £2 well spent IMO.

kenshaz

No protection with debit cards,now Easyjet are charging for their use

pin

Would it be an idea to merge both threads?

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=146207

realaledrinker

In future do a bit of research to find credit cards that can be used with Travel Agent offers & avoid the fee. I know the Co-op Travel Credit Card is one where there is no fee if you book & pay for your holiday with Travelcare (& get min 5% off most brochure prices too).

Also I think RBS have a tie up with Thos Cook & isn't there a Thomas Cook branded credit card somewhere that offers a good discount.

YorkshireBoy

realaledrinker wrote:

...isn't there a Thomas Cook branded credit card somewhere that offers a good discount.

It's run by MBNA...

https://wwwn.applyonlinenow.com/UKCCapp/Ctl/entry?sc=1tcaff_OST&mc=AFF-RS-40886-41312

misterthrifty

Thomas Cook may be just passing on the charge from the CC provider but I work for a small company who get charged 1.9%, I'm sure Thomas Cook get a much better deal. There is probably some profit for them so room to negotiate but the staff may not be aware of that.

hazelize_uk

thanks alot everyone for your help ive looked into the thomas cook credit card which is free if you use it ready for next time - as for now i am going to pay it with my mums debit card and give her it back next month!

Thanks for all the ideas

creditcardking_2

I have a Marbles credit card, when paying for holidays with Thomsons , Marbles refunds the 2% fee back to me.