EU crackdown: No surcharge on online purchases with credit cards

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

ITALY (eTN) – The new European Union online payments with credit cards and transparency of ancillary fees provided by the airlines on their websites is in the spotlight.

ITALY (eTN) – The new European Union online payments with credit cards and transparency of ancillary fees provided by the airlines on their websites is in the spotlight. This legislation to protect the consumer, was approved in recent days, and establishes the illegality of the fee required for transactions on the web via credit card.

Even companies will benefit from the new rules that create a level playing field, and make it less costly to offer products and services in a cross-border context. The EU regulation ensures, for example, the right of withdrawal: Consumers across the EU have the right to change their minds or withdraw from any purchase made online or at home within 14 days (compared with seven provided so far).

If imposed, then there will be a ban on surcharges for using credit cards and telephone support services, and it will be forbidden to have pre-ticked boxes for additional payments. The new EU regulation only provides for optional settings for ancillary services, which must be explicitly requested by the consumer and not pre-set by the airlines on their own sites. This practice is mainly used by low-cost carriers.

“Finally, Europe puts an end to online scams,โ€ said Viviane Reding, Vice President and EU Commissioner for Justice, โ€œConsumers can rely on the rights conferred on them by the new directive.”

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Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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