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Credit card fee

Posted:
15 Jan 2008, 02:04
by manymiles
I booked a PE ticket to London today using the premier team in the UK.
At the point where I was planning to express my disgust (yet again) at the new % charge for using my Virgin Atlantic Amex I was told as the flight originated in the US there was no credit card fee.
Was I lucky or is this yet another twist to the puzzle?

Posted:
15 Jan 2008, 02:40
by mcmbenjamin
Oh might I suggest all UK folks pay for their tickets in cash; preferable in penny's in person at LGW/MAN/LHR. You avoid the fee and make a point.
CRAZY IDEA: An old article I read said something like anything official bearing the Queen's head is legal tender; example given was a stamp. Maybe pay in stamps... OR mail VS stamps.

Posted:
15 Jan 2008, 10:35
by RichardMannion
Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Oh might I suggest all UK folks pay for their tickets in cash; preferable in penny's in person at LGW/MAN/LHR. You avoid the fee and make a point.
CRAZY IDEA: An old article I read said something like anything official bearing the Queen's head is legal tender; example given was a stamp. Maybe pay in stamps... OR mail VS stamps.
I seem to recall that sets a flag though for flights to the US given that the ticket was paid for in cash at the airport.
I think the CC fee thing is under review very shortly as I know I'm not the only one to have expressed an issue with it. It's not as if the profit margin on an Upper ticket is that thin.

Posted:
15 Jan 2008, 11:11
by pjh
Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
CRAZY IDEA: An old article I read said something like anything official bearing the Queen's head is legal tender; example given was a stamp. Maybe pay in stamps... OR mail VS stamps.
Slightly OT, but the UK definition of 'legal tender' can be found
here.
In any given transaction an acceptable means of exchange is whatever the parties agree it to be.
Paul

Posted:
15 Jan 2008, 11:26
by ukcobra
Remember that paying by Credit Card affords you extra protection that cash does not, particularly in the event of a dispute or bankruptcy of the airline etc.
Also, with Credit Card fees on Air tickets, I was able to secure a refund using BA's price match programme, as their £17.50 charge made the tickets more expensive than Last Minute . Com, 30 seconds of effort to fill out BA's form , net refund £24.

Posted:
15 Jan 2008, 23:44
by vs_itsallgood
Originally posted by RichardMannion
I seem to recall that sets a flag though for flights to the US given that the ticket was paid for in cash at the airport.
You are correct! Never, ever pay for a US-bound ticket with cash, nor any intra-US ticket, no matter if it's a cheapo Southwest one-way or not. You will not like the extra attention you receive from TSA. You think four-S is bad? You'll wish that's all the attention you'd gotten when they're done.
Matter of fact, if it's a one-way, and you don't check luggage, you may not even be allowed on the plane... and might get a hasty return to the UK as a dubious 'bonus' from INS.

Posted:
16 Jan 2008, 00:59
by mcmbenjamin
Why? Bitch about it to VS and make a statement. Why avoid SSSS? It is not a big deal.

Posted:
16 Jan 2008, 06:23
by PVGSLF
Called Premier Team yesterday to book a one way from Shangahi to London for MrsPVG. As I gave my credit card details I made some quip about the charge, and the guy told me that there was none since the flight originated outside of the UK. Result!

Posted:
16 Jan 2008, 06:42
by manymiles
As you I was pleased, however it really makes the charge if the flight originates from the UK even more offensive.

Posted:
16 Jan 2008, 11:38
by PVGSLF
Originally posted by manymiles
As you I was pleased, however it really makes the charge if the flight originates from the UK even more offensive.
Agree!
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