MSE News: Ryanair and BMI Baby to auto-charge cards for Spanish tax hike

Former_MSE_Helen

"Thousands of passengers flying from Spain will automatically be debited the increase in Spanish airport tax..."

Read the full story:
Ryanair and BMI Baby to auto-charge cards for Spanish tax hike

mynameistallulah

To keep this in perspective, in most cases the tax will amount to less than two euro per person.

stonehenge8

This is a bit of a nightmare for me. I paid via Ryanair's prepaid card (ironically to avoid any fees).

I have about £3 left on the card. The Spanish tax is likely to amount to around £7 (for a family of 4). Therefore I now have to either pay in £150 (the minimum top-up!) or face a £10 negative balance fee.

So the whole thing is likely to cost me £17.

Bob_the_Saver

stonehenge8 wrote: »

This is a bit of a nightmare for me. I paid via Ryanair's prepaid card (ironically to avoid any fees).

I have about £3 left on the card. The Spanish tax is likely to amount to around £7 (for a family of 4). Therefore I now have to either pay in £150 (the minimum top-up!) or face a £10 negative balance fee.

So the whole thing is likely to cost me £17.

Read this thread Post #4

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/53969163#Comment_53969163

stonehenge8

thanks didn't realise that.

mynameistallulah

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

Read this thread Post #4

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/53969163#Comment_53969163

And that is what I love about MSE. Article published causing a kerfuffle, worried people post worries on thread, regular MSE members provide assistance, kerfuffle curtailed.

Anonone

I thought it was illegal under the Data protection Act to hold payment card details after a transaction has been completed?

oafcmetty

Best news I've had all year. At Xmas time we booked flights to Alicante for a holiday this summer, but fell pregnant soon after, and would have been abroad a couple of weeks before the due date.

This enabled us to get a full refund on the flights, whereas before we were just going to swallow the cost of attempting to move them to new dates.

Bob_the_Saver

Anonone wrote: »

I thought it was illegal under the Data protection Act to hold payment card details after a transaction has been completed?

For a start the transaction hasn't been completed.

stonehenge8

mynameistallulah wrote: »

And that is what I love about MSE. Article published causing a kerfuffle, worried people post worries on thread, regular MSE members provide assistance, kerfuffle curtailed.

Yes but thereafter still a degree of kerfuffle in arranging the transfer plus almost inevitably there is a fee involved. 2%.Although thats obviously better than a tenner.

lakesidelass

I booked a flight with Vueling to leave Alicante on 03 October and had an email from them advising that I would have to pay the extra tax.
I was given three choices:
1) If I paid the tax within 7 days, they would give me a €10 voucher to be used against another Vueling flight.
2) I could pay the tax when I checked in on 03 October.
3) I could cancel my flight and receive a full refund.
I have also had an email from Ryanair to advise that they will automatically charge the card I used to pay for my flight leaving Alicante on 22 August.

I think the timing of this tax hike is disgusting - but typical of the Spanish government. Obviously people are going to pay, because by 01 July, everyone will have already booked their accommodation, car hire etc.
" BRAND SPAIN " has a very bad name.