Credit Card Charges to be Discontinued

[Dancing Queen]

Credit Card charges to be discontinued.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40648641

Is this good news or not, will the cruise lines increase prices to cover the cost and/or travel agents even stop taking credit cards and force us all to pay by debit card.

[towny44]

Since these charges are currently bolstering the profits of someone in the leisure industry supply chain, you can rest assured that they are going to find some way to recoup this lost revenue. One thing is certain its not going to go into the pockets of the punters.

[screwy]

My understanding is that the Banks/ Credit Card companies introduced this charge to offset their costs in Credit Card transactions..?

[Manoverboard]

My understanding is that the Banks/ Credit Card companies introduced this charge to offset their costs in Credit Card transactions..?

It was nothing to do with the card providers but was initially introduced by a well known Air Carrier to screw ( no pun intended ) an extra few bob out of those who wished to fly with his particular airline. The idea caught on of course.

The base cost will rise but those who pay by Debit Card will pay extra.

[Dancing Queen]

Since these charges are currently bolstering the profits of someone in the leisure industry supply chain, you can rest assured that they are going to find some way to recoup this lost revenue. One thing is certain its not going to go into the pockets of the punters.

Very true

[screwy]

My understanding is that the Banks/ Credit Card companies introduced this charge to offset their costs in Credit Card transactions..?

It was nothing to do with the card providers but was initially introduced by a well known Air Carrier to screw ( no pun intended ) an extra few bob out of those who wished to fly with his particular airline. The idea caught on of course.

The base cost will rise but those who pay by Debit Card will pay extra.

I stand corrected...

[Mervyn and Trish]

At least the headline price will be more realistic.

[wolfie]

If you pay just £100 of your deposit by credit card, you are covered for the whole cost when paid via other means.

This is always what we have done and it was just a few pounds extra. I have always refused to pay for things, other than holidays, by credit card when fees were added. Glad to see the back of them.

[anniec]

I think that if you pay just a penny on credit card, you're covered. £100 is the minimum total spend to get the cover; trouble is, they've got wise to this and many have a minimum credit card charge of, say, £5.

On a side note, you should be covered by charge back on a debit card, but that's an unofficial arrangement by the banks, and not a legal right.

[GillD46]

If you pay just £100 of your deposit by credit card, you are covered for the whole cost when paid via other means.

This is always what we have done and it was just a few pounds extra. I have always refused to pay for things, other than holidays, by credit card when fees were added. Glad to see the back of them.

We have also done this, for this very reason, plus some years ago, it was a condition of our travel insurance provided by our CC. These days we don't have to make any payment by the CC but we still pay the £100.

[towny44]

At least the headline price will be more realistic.

Quite, but around 2.5% higher than at present.

[CaroleF]

I wonder how soon this will come into force. We are going with Fred Olsen at the end of August and if we register a credit card on board we get charged, I think 1.5%, not sure how much, so we were going to register a Debit Card. We'd rather use a credit card so will have to see.

Carole

[towny44]

Its not proposed to start until next year, so sorry but it won't cover your August cruise. However I have never heard of a cruise line charging this fee for any on board spend, but I have never cruised with Fred.

[CaroleF]

Yes just looked on their website again. You can pay with a credit card but it's 1.5% charge. Not sure about using a debit card as far as the pre-authorisation amount they put on it - or whatever it's called. My husband doesn't keep that much in his current account. May have to call Fred Olsen about that.

Carole

[Manoverboard]

Credit Cards are pre-authorised because of the future payment date, Debit payments however are normally ' instant '.

[david63]

Debit payments however are normally ' instant '.

You can have pre-authorisations on Visa debit cards - not sure about other "brands". I know that you cannot pre-authorise on prepayment cards.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We've certainly never been charged any extra for using a credit card on board on P&O. Princess, Cunard, RCI or Calamity.

[wolfie]

Nor have we on 4 out of 5 of those lines. Not travelled with Princess.

[Stephen]

Credit Cards are pre-authorised because of the future payment date, Debit payments however are normally ' instant '.

It was pretty instant the other day when we paid the balance for our Celebrity cruise using our credit card (no ccc). Just by chance the CC statement dropped through the letter box the following morning and the payment showed up on it. I couldn't believe how quick it was processed. Normally you would wait four or five days before it showed on your statement.

[Dancing Queen]

We've certainly never been charged any extra for using a credit card on board on P&O. Princess, Cunard, RCI or Calamity.

Nor us Merv but I do believe Fred O apply the charge to onboard accounts, I'm sure I read that somewhere.

[towny44]

Credit Cards are pre-authorised because of the future payment date, Debit payments however are normally ' instant '.

It was pretty instant the other day when we paid the balance for our Celebrity cruise using our credit card (no ccc). Just by chance the CC statement dropped through the letter box the following morning and the payment showed up on it. I couldn't believe how quick it was processed. Normally you would wait four or five days before it showed on your statement.

I waited until the statement had arrived before paying for our end of September RCI cruise, as a result I won't be parting with my money until the end of August; and as you comment American RCI group are ahead of British P&O by not charging to use a credit card.

[Manoverboard]

I would advise that it may be a good plan to book a Celebrity ( RCI ? ) cruise with a TA and to let them complete the farcical booking procedures ... downside is that most TAs presently charge 'n' % when using Credit Cards.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We have a TA who doesn't charge us for using a CC but the downside is they collect the payment four weeks before the cruise company's deadline to be sure it's safely in their account by the time they have to pass it on. So there's no cash advantage compared with paying it directly to the cruise line by debit card a month later. Of course that will all change now.

[towny44]

I would advise that it may be a good plan to book a Celebrity ( RCI ? ) cruise with a TA and to let them complete the farcical booking procedures ... downside is that most TAs presently charge 'n' % when using Credit Cards.

'You no rissen', booking any RCI group cruise you don't pay for using a credit card, if perchance your TA tries it on, refer them to me.

[Stephen]

I would advise that it may be a good plan to book a Celebrity ( RCI ? ) cruise with a TA and to let them complete the farcical booking procedures ... downside is that most TAs presently charge 'n' % when using Credit Cards.

We do use our same travel agent (CruiseKings) who did all the booking process for us, but because it was Celebrity cruise no ccc for deposit or balance.