How to dodge credit card fees

Credit cards offer convenience. But that convenience comes at a price. As well as high interest rates, customers are often charged a transaction fee when using their cards. And few industries are as enthusiastic about such fees as the travel industry. Ruth Jackson explains who the worst offenders are, and how to avoid their fees.

Your credit card is supposed to offer you convenience. You can pay for things quickly and simply and spread the cost of expensive items. But how much are you prepared to pay for that convenience? Many retailers, in particular those in the travel industry, charge customers a surcharge when using credit cards. And the amount they charge is rising fast.

What are credit card surcharges?

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Bmibaby£4.50 pppf*£3 pppfVisa Electron exempt
EasyJet£3.50 + 2.5%£3.50Visa Electron exempt
Monarch5% (min £5.49)3.5% (min £2.44)Visa Electron exempt
Ryanair£5 pppf£5 pppfPrepaid MasterCard exempt
Thomas Cook2.5%Row 4 - Cell 2 Capped at £50
Thomson2.5%£2.95Visa Electron exempt
Thetrainline.com£3.50Row 6 - Cell 2 Row 6 - Cell 3
Irish Ferries£5£5Visa Electron exempt
Ruth Jackson-Kirby

Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings accounts and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.

Ruth started her career at MoneyWeek after graduating with an MA from the University of St Andrews, and she continues to contribute regular articles to our personal finance section. After leaving MoneyWeek she went on to become deputy editor of Moneywise before becoming a freelance journalist.

Ruth writes regularly for national publications including The Sunday Times, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and Good Housekeeping, among many other titles both online and offline.