If you’re being charged for using a credit card, you’re being robbed

CLICK TO ENLARGE

MADRID – Royal Decree 8/2014 became law on September 1: it expressly banns being charged for using a credit card. However, several consumer organizations have discovered that many companies, including some airlines, are still doing so. Indeed, it’s the airlines who are mainly defying the law. According to OCU (Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios), "this is a completely illegal charge that has nothing to do with management expenses.” From its Twitter account (#NoConMiTarjeta – NotWithMyCard), the organization asks consumers to take a screen shot or a photo showing a bill that includes the charge. They are inviting anyone who have been charged to join others in a class action suit they are preparing right now, the idea being to stop the practice, punish the perpetrators and recover the customers’ money. (Enlarge the image and check right at the bottom ...)

OCU also says, according to its research, the travel portal Vueling is charging €5.75 on top of the normal booking charge. Iberia is doing the same, apparently (charging up to €5), while eDreams adds €7,25. Their ‘Enemy Nº1’, Ryanair, is being studied to see if they should be among those being sued, as proof is coming forth that it, too, is making these charges.

For the moment, the airlines are OCU’s main targets, but other businesses are being investigated (which is why they would like proof, as the ask for above)