WARNING: Nationwide Debit card charged as a credit card

Reaper

In last week's Sunday Times a reader complained they paid for a Thomsonfly holiday by Nationwide Debit Card but were made to pay a credit card fee .

Thomsonfly replied

Our website clearly states that payment by Visa will incur a charge of 8.50 Euros per transaction. Although Mr Haworth used a Nationwide debit card, this is actually a Visa debit card. As such, the charge stands.

Now I went and checked the T&C which state Payment is by credit, debit or switch card only. Payment by credit card will attract a transaction fee. Nothing about VISA that I can see.

I think the customer is being conned. Anyone else agree?

Look out anybody else who has one.

YorkshireBoy

Reaper wrote:

I think the customer is being conned. Anyone else agree?

At the end of the booking procedure, you're presented with a "Payment Details" section.

The "Payment Method" drop down box clearly states...

Mastercard (+2% surcharge)
Switch (no fee)
UK VISA Debit (no fee)
Visa (+2% surcharge)
Visa Electron (no fee)

Case closed!

Reaper

Thanks for checking. I wonder if the customer selected the "VISA" option by mistake. I don't suppose the web site would check it was a UK card and warn a cheaper option was available. That would explain the charge, but Thomsonfly's reply is just plain wrong.

buxtonrabbitgreen

Yes I saw that and I agree with you.

trets77

Also can some explain to me how the travel industry gets away with hitting you for fees for using your Credit card ????? 1% is still 1% ..... my local supermarket does not charge so why should they !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i have yet to find a travel agents that does not and all the teletext holiday agents that don,t hit you for the privledge of claiming your airmiles

well you don,t get me i,ve got savings !!!!

M_Thomson

trets77 wrote:

my local supermarket does not charge so why should they

Your supermarket and all other shops do charge for using credit cards! Just they do it indirectly. Everything you buy in shops has a percentage of the price that accounts for the cost of the store processing the credit card. This applies even if you pay cash!

babe_ruth_3

I paid for a holiday with country holidays on line.

There was a charge for payment by credit card but not for debit card. I ticked the box to pay by debit card but accidentally put in my credit card details (both cards are nationwide and look similar) and never got charged any extra

Rafter

The reason you pay a surcharge is that the credit company is jointly liable if your holiday doesn't goes wrong or the company providing it goes bust.

At the supermarket, the shop pays a fairly small fee for credit cards - for travel companies it is much higher - hence the surcharge.

If possible you should always try to pay some of your holiday (eg the deposit) by credit card. You are then protected if something goes wrong.

Personally I think companies should offer a discount for paying by debit card.... after making it clear that the same level of protection doesn't apply.

R.

chloe1705

my friend also got charged for using her nationwide visa debit card to book a holiday will find out what company it was she booked over the phone.

trets77

thanks rafter

Travelbag recently let me pay my deposit with Credit card without charge but i would be charged for futher payments with it

looks like i made a good call

Gordon_the_Moron

trets77 wrote:

i have yet to find a travel agents that does not and all the teletext holiday agents that don,t hit you for the privledge of claiming your airmiles

Expedia don't charge credit card fees.