Page 1 of 1

2% fee not 1.5%

PostPosted: 14 Jan 2009, 23:07
by DragonLady
I've just booked some car hire via the VS website using my white VS Amex (having recently cancelled my black card because of the useless benefits it offers relative to the fee).Much as it grates me, I was willing to swallow the 1.5% charge clearly stated on the website to earn the miles from the card and the bonus miles currently being offered. Having made the payment I've looked at the credit card charge on the confirmation, which actually equates to 2% not the 1.5% stated. Is this legal? Stating the charge is 1.5% and then actually applying a charge of 2% in my mind is theft/fraud [V]. In real terms it's less than 3 extra but it's the principle of the matter.
DL

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2009, 08:28
by Neil
The website clearly states a 1.5% fee, so as a matter of principle I would write a letter of complaint to SRB's office. It is irrelevant that it is a small amount and VS must be breaking no end of laws etc by doing this and it needs to be addressed.

Neil

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2009, 10:13
by McMaddog
I still don't understand why VS doesn't swallow the fee for its own cardholders.
Anyway I just looked at a NYC booking of £208.80. It adds a CC charge of £3.74 which is around 1.76%

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2009, 17:32
by ukcobra
I booked BA flights last year, using my BA Amex card and got a 1.5% fee. I then got a quote from last Minute . com which does not charge for credit cards, and therefore were cheaper than BA. Within 24 hours I had confirmation from BA that they would refund the cost, as they were not the cheapest place for purchasing their flights.

Should I get into this position with Virgin, I'll be engaging their Onlilne Price Guarantee.

More people should do this to register their concern.

Mark

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2009, 17:42
by mitchja
quote:Originally posted by ukcobra


Should I get into this position with Virgin, I'll be engaging their Onlilne Price Guarantee.

More people should do this to register their concern.

Mark


VS wont honor their price match guarantee to include credit card fees. They only work on the base fare price and dont include any extra fees or taxes[:(!]

From the VS price match T&C's:

quote:The fare must exclude all taxes and surcharges (i.e. must be the base fare)

I've given up pestering VS about their ridiculus CC fees. They are simply not intrested.

DL

Have you thought about contacting trading standards about this?

Regards

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2009, 17:58
by ukcobra
The Fare does include all taxes and surcharges, but if the overal price at Virgin is more expensive than somewhere else, then their price guarantee is worthless.

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2009, 18:05
by mitchja
quote:Originally posted by ukcobra
their price guarantee is worthless.


Exactly [:w]

Regards

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2009, 19:28
by Treelo
quote:Originally posted by McMaddog
I still don't understand why VS doesn't swallow the fee for its own cardholders.


I still don't understand why VS doesn't bin the MBNA AMEX and jump back into bed with Mastercard [:w]

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2009, 20:05
by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by mitchja

I've given up pestering VS about their ridiculus CC fees. They are simply not intrested.

DL

Have you thought about contacting trading standards about this?

Regards

I totally agree that the fees are outrageous[n].I've contacted customer services (ha ha)and am awaiting a response. If no joy I will persue Neil's suggestion.Also contacting Trading Standards is a good idea - I'll try and contact them tomorrow.
DL

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2009, 20:47
by dan87027
I have just put the phone down from Virgin Holidays and am pretty sure I was quoted that it would be 2%. Wasn't really paying much attention until I saw this thread! Will wait and see what my card statement says.

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2009, 21:23
by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by dan87027
I have just put the phone down from Virgin Holidays and am pretty sure I was quoted that it would be 2%. Wasn't really paying much attention until I saw this thread! Will wait and see what my card statement says.


I've just gone in to the VH website and sure enough they're now quoting 2% as the cc fee [V].However, the VS website (through which my car booking was made) is still stating 1.5% as the cc fee.
Incidentally I had a quote from VH for the car and they were much more expensive than the VS website for exactly the same request.
DL