Anyone know about new rules on debit cards?

maman

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this but I thought you money-saving people might know.

I heard something in the news at the weekend about not paying debit card fees on some airlines from December 1st but can't find any details. Is this just for some airlines or a change in the law? I wondered if it applied to other things like buying tickets? Or would companies just get round it by making an admin fee?

I'm particularly incensed as my football club as just introduced charges (same for debit and credit) even if you go to the club and get the tickets yourself. I'm furious because AFAIK while they do have to pay a fee for credit cards the banks don't charge them much (if anything) for debit payments.

zippychick

As this has dropped down the Old Style board, i've moved it to the bank account board for you

Zip

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move discussions from the MoneySaving boards if they’re not related to MoneySaving to help everyone find the MoneySaving tips and discussion quicker (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to Discussion Time/The Arms. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

dalesrider

maman wrote: »

I heard something in the news at the weekend about not paying debit card fees on some airlines from December 1st but can't find any details. .

This maybe

They are not allowed to impose a surcharge. But they have now got round it by charging a flat fee for card use.....
I think in at least one airline. This is more than the old fee they used to charge.....
But is legal.... So long as it is clear and upfront.
Go figure that one.

So. YES they can charge this.

agrinnall

There's a discussion of the way Easyjet are now charging a booking fee in this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4314859

ChiefGrasscutter

Pretty standard business response to a government edict:
1. Businesses charge for some aspect
2. Those affected complain loudly
3. Gov acts to restrict the charges against those affected
4. Company responds by charging everyone more across the board.
5. Everyone is now furious as those complaining were now no better off and those previously better off are now worse off.

Which leads us to the universal rule that any Government action usually achieves the precise opposite of what it was intended to achieve.

Hominu

Hasn't exactly that just happened with the energy companies?

1. Energy companies announce price hike
2. Those affected complain loudly
3. Gov acts to reduce prices
4. Energy companies restructure their pricing plans, and increase costs (specially for the people on the cheaper tariffs) to pay for it.
5. Everyone is now furious
6. There is now less competition as the gov'ment forces everyone to choose from two simple price plans: Fixed or variable.

All because people were complaining loundly, rather than just looking for cheaper tariffs.

maman

Thanks for the reponses.

It's much as I thought, that as it wasn't fair the law changed so the companies just carry on but call it something else!:rotfl:

innovate

maman wrote: »

Thanks for the reponses.

It's much as I thought, that as it wasn't fair the law changed so the companies just carry on but call it something else!:rotfl:

What law has changed?