Airlines agree to include online debit card charges in advertised prices

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A number of airlines, including Ryanair and Easyjet, have agreed to include debit chard charges in their advertised prices, rather than adding them on at the end of the online booking process.

Sky News reports that the airlines will also clarify credit card charges at the start of the booking process.

Charges and administration fees can significantly increase the cost of flights when booking online.

Following an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading, Aer Lingus, BMI Baby, Eastern Airways, Flybe, German Wings, Jet2, Lufthansa, Thomas Cook, Thomson and Wizz Air, have also agreed to change their booking process.

Ryanair's £6 administration fee will be included in the headline rate by December, and Easyjet's £9 booking fee is already shown in its advertised prices.

Monarch, which only adds a surcharge for credit cards, has included the charge in its pricing since last year.

The OFT said, "It is critical that these charges are transparent and not sprung on shoppers towards the end of the booking process."

Metro reports that the changes have come as a result of the OFT's suggestion that debit cards are the online equivalent of cash, so all charges relating to them should be clearly displayed before any purchases are made.

He told Metro: "It is important that the cost presented when they search for a flight is realistic and that they are not surprised by extra charges. Otherwise it is harder for them to shop around for the best deal."

Clive Maxwell from the OFT welcomed that changes, saying this was a "great outcome" for people who book flights online.

The airlines will be required to change their pricing policies by August 1, although some have already done so.

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