I’ve recently been asked to pay the bill for my holiday and the travel firm has quoted two separate prices: one for paying by cash or cheque, and a slightly higher one for payment by credit card. I thought this practice had been outlawed several years ago?
No, it’s becoming increasingly common. There’s no law against the practice as long as the firm doesn’t ambush you with the extra cost of using a credit card after you’ve agreed the price. The travel firm is merely recouping the commission charged by some credit cards for use of their services. Using your plastic is not a bad idea though, even if it costs you a bit more: you have much greater protection against such mishaps as the tour operator going bust or other holiday disasters.