Travel Republic Hidden Card Fees

Intasun32

I booked a hotel in Cyprus online yesterday with a company called Travel Republic based in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey. I had used them so while ago so I had no worries when making the booking, (Mistake)

The confirmation web page was shown with all the figures, I decided to pay a deposit of £210 and the balance of £838 in July 2012. I entered my card details, double checked the details and pressed the ‘Confirm Booking’ button, happy with myself of a job well done. Or so I thought.

I received the confirmation e-mail about ten minutes later and much to my shock an additional £26.90 had been added to my bill. I called Travel Republic this morning to be informed that this was a 2.5% credit card fee. I asked why this was not shown before I made the booking, I was told that it was. Unknown to her I had printed out the final web page of the booking; I asked where it was informing her of the page on my desk. I was asked to hold as she spoke to a colleague. On her return I was informed that it was not shown on the final web page or at any time during the booking process but could be found in the ‘Customer Information’ section.

I said my ‘goodbye’ and went back to the web page. I went through the booking process right up to confirming the payment checking all the small print but there was no mention of any card fees.

On the web site I found the information regarding payment card charge which was CLEARLY shown as long as you first;

Clicked ‘CUSTOMER INFORMATION’

Clicked ‘FAQ’

Clicked ‘I HAVEN’T BOOKED YET’

Clicked ‘PAYMENT CARD CHARGES’

Then you are advised of card fees.

I am sure that when we all purchase things online we have to scour the web site to find the total costs, These charges should have been clearly shown on the final payment page prior to confirming the booking.

I can’t help but feel I have been mugged.

:mad:

Voyager2002

I think that if you complain to your card issuer, your complaint would be upheld. However, they would then probably "adjust" the amount of your second payment, and since you haven't got your tickets they have got you over a barrel.

Could you cancel and pay by debit card, or simply get your money back and book elsewhere? If you decide on cancellation, I expect that your card provider would get your money back for you.

Intasun32

Voyager2002 wrote: »

I think that if you complain to your card issuer, your complaint would be upheld. However, they would then probably "adjust" the amount of your second payment, and since you haven't got your tickets they have got you over a barrel.

Could you cancel and pay by debit card, or simply get your money back and book elsewhere? If you decide on cancellation, I expect that your card provider would get your money back for you.

@Voyager2002,

Very good advice.

Thank you.

:beer:

bod1467

It also looks like they have breached rules by applying the 2.5% to the whole amount. You haven't paid the whole amount yet so they should only have applied it to the deposit - they cannot assume you will use the same payment mechanism for the balance.

2.5% of £210 is only £5.25.

bod1467

Just to add though - 2.5% cc charge is quite normal for online travel companies. Most holiday companies do the same.

unholyangel

bod1467 wrote: »

Just to add though - 2.5% cc charge is quite normal for online travel companies. Most holiday companies do the same.

Hmmm I'm sure there was something on Rip Off Britain about them banning such charges though. Of course all that will happen is that the holiday companies will build it into the cost of the holiday!

But on the bright side, at least the price you're told will be the price you pay and no additional charges.

bod1467

I saw that too. But it's a desire/demand for the future - it doesn't exist yet.

unholyangel

bod1467 wrote: »

I saw that too. But it's a desire/demand for the future - it doesn't exist yet.

Can't remeber whether it was 2012 or 2014 it is supposed to be implemented by. Heard so many dates over the past month my head's swimming in them

Intasun32

I have spoken with Consumer Direct this morning and they have advised that Travel Republic are in breach of the 'Consumer Protection Regulations 2008'.
All additional charges must be shown on the final invoice/payment page prior to confirming the booking.
Any additional charges should be shown clearly, in this case they were not.

aldredd

unholyangel wrote: »

Of course all that will happen is that the holiday companies will build it into the cost of the holiday!

Which is quite fair & reasonable - building the cost of processing a payment (along with ANY other misc costs) into the price of something is sensible & good business practice - not to mention common sense.

I have no qualms with companies covering their costs, but don't like this 'we will show you 1 price but charge you another' rubbish. But at least they're only trying to charge 2.5%, which reflects the actual cost to them - they just need to ensure they show this from the start / build it into the price.