500b+ Airline Credit Card Processing Fees in Thailand (hidden)

[CanuckThai]

On a recently booked domestic flight (Air Asia), I was a bit shocked at the 500+ baht credit card processing fee charged on the final invoice, before payment was made.   No where in the advertised basic fares does it mention upwards of an additional 11.9% credit card processing fee.  The 500b doesn't break the bank, but it's definitely a sneaky charge milking people for an extra tidy sum above the advertised prices.

 

If I bought a pizza, or 1000b of diesel at PTT, and they charged me a 500b credit card processing fee, or an additional 11.9% would it be acceptable....?

 

 

 

 

Edited July 19, 2018 by CanuckThai
penmanship

[KittenKong]

Only fairly recently was legislation passed in the EU to ensure that all payment charges were clearly indicated/included from the outset, so no real surprise that it hasnt happened here yet. I can understand your annoyance though.

[jenny2017]

OP, Air Asia allows you to pay at 7 Eleven and you could have saved 400 something baht.

 

       I flew with Air Asia a couple of times, but I never had to pay such a high processing fee. It doesn't make sense to me. 

 

OP, is it possible that you didn't book the flight directly from Air Asia's website, or at a counter?

 

 The fee for travel agents is usually around 10 % of the fare. If you bought the ticket elsewhere, there's nobody else to blame. 

Edited July 19, 2018 by jenny2017

[CanuckThai]

On 7/20/2018 at 1:13 AM, jenny2017 said:

OP, Air Asia allows you to pay at 7 Eleven and you could have saved 400 something baht.

 

       I flew with Air Asia a couple of times, but I never had to pay such a high processing fee. It doesn't make sense to me. 

 

OP, is it possible that you didn't book the flight directly from Air Asia's website, or at a counter?

 

 The fee for travel agents is usually around 10 % of the fare. If you bought the ticket elsewhere, there's nobody else to blame. 

Yip, flight was booked on the AirAsia website.

I fly quite often, with many different airlines (in Thailand and abroad), never a visa (or cc) processing fee. 

My wife was saying one of the others (Nok or T Smile) doesn't piss around with cc processing fees.  I usually stick with Air Asia, but maybe this will change. 

 

The flight in I referred to was cheap and dirty, I would be interested to know if they do the same for a long haul business class...

 

[jenny2017]

55 minutes ago, CanuckThai said:

Yip, flight was booked on the AirAsia website.

I fly quite often, with many different airlines (in Thailand and abroad), never a visa (or cc) processing fee. 

My wife was saying one of the others (Nok or T Smile) doesn't piss around with cc processing fees.  I usually stick with Air Asia, but maybe this will change. 

 

The flight in I referred to was cheap and dirty, I would be interested to know if they do the same for a long haul business class...

 

I've paid at 7 Eleven once, which is another option when booking at Air Asia. The fee was something like 100 baht. How can they charge 500 baht for a service they; 're happy to sell?

 

  I've never paid such a fee and i flew with AA a couple of times. 

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, jenny2017 said:

The fee was something like 100 baht.

7-11 fee is 30bht on Air Asia tickets.

[4MyEgo]

21 hours ago, BritManToo said:

7-11 fee is 30bht on Air Asia tickets.

BigC is 5 baht

[4MyEgo]

I don't own a credit card for the simple reason I don't need one for the "convenience" of owning a credit card, especially when my debit card works the same way, except that it is my own cash, that said, when I book a flight, I always pay at BigC as its like 5 baht, airlines in Thailand and big stores see a card as a credit card, regardless if its a debit card and think they can charge you a % for using it, its not on.

 

I had a huge argument with Index living where I was purchasing about 100,000 baht of items and at check out I said do you charge a fee for debit card, yes the lady said, my reply was can you explain why you are charging me a fee when I am paying you with money from my bank, she said, because they do it to everybody, and naturally my reply was so that is acceptable is it, well not to me.

 

Without going into it to much, I asked for the manager, he came and sorted it by waiving the fee, but not before getting me all worked up, i.e. trying to convince me that it was part of the process, then ok, no charge sir, that's when I said yes correct no charge, because I will now not buy from this store because it has a policy to charge customers using their own money, call me arrogant I don't care, but any store or business who wants to charge me a % on my debit card loses my business, that is with the exception if it being an international purchase, e.g. ING where I also have a debit card charges 0.25% for international purchases, I read this and its part of the banks policy, they do not charge me annual fee for the card/account and offer me the opportunity to waive the 0.25% if I make 5 purchases in the previous month and deposit $1,000 from an external account into my account, so I work it that way to save me a few dollars when buying international tickets for the family, the fact that they provide you with a way to get around it vs being slugged 0.25% for an international purchase works for me, i.e. no charge if you play the game and they give me 2.8% for my money in their bank.

 

Too many people accept what others charge, including banks here in Thailand, that said, I do not pay an annual fee or a fee for my annual letter to immigration, they give me little interest and want to me to pay them to keep my money in their bank, fat chance, so they work it my way as I told them or its the highway, that said the wife also has an account with them, so in numbers withdrawing and going to another bank or business does work, if your prepared to show them your cards ! 

 

Put your experience down as a learning curve, next time opt to pay at 5 baht at BigC or 30 baht at Lotus/Tesco

Edited July 22, 2018 by 4MyEgo

[stevenl]

On 7/22/2018 at 10:59 AM, 4MyEgo said:

I don't own a credit card for the simple reason I don't need one for the "convenience" of owning a credit card, especially when my debit card works the same way, except that it is my own cash, that said, when I book a flight, I always pay at BigC as its like 5 baht, airlines in Thailand and big stores see a card as a credit card, regardless if its a debit card and think they can charge you a % for using it, its not on.

 

I had a huge argument with Index living where I was purchasing about 100,000 baht of items and at check out I said do you charge a fee for debit card, yes the lady said, my reply was can you explain why you are charging me a fee when I am paying you with money from my bank, she said, because they do it to everybody, and naturally my reply was so that is acceptable is it, well not to me.

 

Without going into it to much, I asked for the manager, he came and sorted it by waiving the fee, but not before getting me all worked up, i.e. trying to convince me that it was part of the process, then ok, no charge sir, that's when I said yes correct no charge, because I will now not buy from this store because it has a policy to charge customers using their own money, call me arrogant I don't care, but any store or business who wants to charge me a % on my debit card loses my business, that is with the exception if it being an international purchase, e.g. ING where I also have a debit card charges 0.25% for international purchases, I read this and its part of the banks policy, they do not charge me annual fee for the card/account and offer me the opportunity to waive the 0.25% if I make 5 purchases in the previous month and deposit $1,000 from an external account into my account, so I work it that way to save me a few dollars when buying international tickets for the family, the fact that they provide you with a way to get around it vs being slugged 0.25% for an international purchase works for me, i.e. no charge if you play the game and they give me 2.8% for my money in their bank.

 

Too many people accept what others charge, including banks here in Thailand, that said, I do not pay an annual fee or a fee for my annual letter to immigration, they give me little interest and want to me to pay them to keep my money in their bank, fat chance, so they work it my way as I told them or its the highway, that said the wife also has an account with them, so in numbers withdrawing and going to another bank or business does work, if your prepared to show them your cards ! 

 

Put your experience down as a learning curve, next time opt to pay at 5 baht at BigC or 30 baht at Lotus/Tesco

For big purchases I agree with you, for small no.

 

A card, credit or debit, incurs expenses for the retailer, depending on card used and amount, about 3-5%. If you want that charge included, other, non card using customers, are paying too much. Why should they pay for your convenience and/or racking up of points?

Edited July 25, 2018 by stevenl

[4MyEgo]

21 minutes ago, stevenl said:

For big purchases I agree with you, for small no.

 

A card, credit or debit, incurs expenses for the retailer, depending on card used and amount, about 3-5%. If you want that charge included, other, non card using customers, are paying too much. Why should they pay for your convenience and/or racking up of points?

Let us not forget, the banks originally pushed us all like sheep to get debit cards to use at ATM machines because it would more convenient for us to make withdrawals as opposed to queuing up at the tellers counter, no charge Mr Customer, then they slowly started culling tellers (nice), making bigger profits, then as the plan progressed and the sheep were all rounded up, time to shear them, that is make the ever evolving changes to their policies with the cards, i.e. charge Mr Customer for each ATM transaction made at other banks.

 

The way I see it, if the bank wants me to use their debit card for my convenience then they should brunt the costs, after all, they made a fortune culling tellers.

 

In saying the above, I work it for what I can, and will be buggered if I am going to allow a retailer charge me for using my money through the banks card, the retailer makes 200% profit on goods sold less their expenses, and the banks make on the crappy interest they give me.

 

You could say I am one of those black sheep that stands out in the crowd and only allows one to shear him when he feels his fleece is too long 555

[stevenl]

19 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Let us not forget, the banks originally pushed us all like sheep to get debit cards to use at ATM machines because it would more convenient for us to make withdrawals as opposed to queuing up at the tellers counter, no charge Mr Customer, then they slowly started culling tellers (nice), making bigger profits, then as the plan progressed and the sheep were all rounded up, time to shear them, that is make the ever evolving changes to their policies with the cards, i.e. charge Mr Customer for each ATM transaction made at other banks.

 

The way I see it, if the bank wants me to use their debit card for my convenience then they should brunt the costs, after all, they made a fortune culling tellers.

 

In saying the above, I work it for what I can, and will be buggered if I am going to allow a retailer charge me for using my money through the banks card, the retailer makes 200% profit on goods sold less their expenses, and the banks make on the crappy interest they give me.

 

You could say I am one of those black sheep that stands out in the crowd and only allows one to shear him when he feels his fleece is too long 555

I see you don't react to one of my arguments, only restate your opinion.

 

Better stop, it is off topic anyway.

[4MyEgo]

30 minutes ago, stevenl said:

I see you don't react to one of my arguments, only restate your opinion.

 

Better stop, it is off topic anyway.

Your right, you better stop.

[KittenKong]

On 7/25/2018 at 10:35 AM, stevenl said:

A card, credit or debit, incurs expenses for the retailer, depending on card used and amount, about 3-5%. If you want that charge included, other, non card using customers, are paying too much. Why should they pay for your convenience and/or racking up of points? 

Using cards also removes the cost of processing/banking cash, and largely removes the potential for cashier theft/fraud/errors. Not to mention armed robbery.

 

Many retailers would be delighted to never have to deal with cash again. Most governments would be delighted too.

[The manic]

On 7/21/2018 at 6:51 AM, BritManToo said:

7-11 fee is 30bht on Air Asia tickets.

How do you buy an airline ticket at a 7/11. I often use Air Asia but hate their confusing website so I prefer to use a TA. When I suggested paying by CC the agent said there would be a charge so cash was better.

 

[BritManToo]

5 hours ago, The manic said:

How do you buy an airline ticket at a 7/11. I often use Air Asia but hate their confusing website so I prefer to use a TA. When I suggested paying by CC the agent said there would be a charge so cash was better.

 

Just click the 'pay at 7-11' option, then go along to 7-11 with your phone and they scan the barcode from your booking.

Air Asia smartphone app is the best way to book.

Edited July 28, 2018 by BritManToo

[Amusements]

UPDATE. The Air Asia fee is not 30baht at 7/11or Family Mart any more -  It is 100baht.

 

I booked a couple of flights 2 weeks ago on Air Asia's site, and I noticed the new insane charge for using my Kasikorn virtual Credit card. It was way more than it has ever been in the past, so I choose to pay at Family Mart, and that was up from 30 baht to 100 baht!

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, Amusements said:

UPDATE. The Air Asia fee is not 30baht at 7/11or Family Mart any more -  It is 100baht.

 

I booked a couple of flights 2 weeks ago on Air Asia's site, and I noticed the new insane charge for using my Kasikorn virtual Credit card. It was way more than it has ever been in the past, so I choose to pay at Family Mart, and that was up from 30 baht to 100 baht!

Seriously?

 

[Amusements]

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Seriously?

 

The 100 baht charge was shown on Airasia's payment page for counter payment last time I booked. I cant read my receipt from Family Mart as it is in Thai, and may include something I bought? Anyway, I cant load Air Asia's payment page on Explorer at the moment, to show you what comes up for a fake booking. However on my mobile, a fake 1 way booking shows a 70baht  processing fee for Counter payment and a note saying that an ADDITIONAL fee will be charged by the merchant.

 

So maybe nothing has changed, other than wording on the payment page?

 

[BritManToo]

4 minutes ago, Amusements said:

The 100 baht charge was shown on Airasia's payment page for counter payment last time I booked. I cant read my receipt from Family Mart as it is in Thai, and may include something I bought? Anyway, I cant load Air Asia's payment page on Explorer at the moment, to show you what comes up for a fake booking. However on my mobile, a fake 1 way booking shows a 70baht  processing fee for Counter payment and a note saying that an ADDITIONAL fee will be charged by the merchant.

 

So maybe nothing has changed, other than wording on the payment page?

 

 

My ticket payment shows 126.50Bt discount off the 970bht fare..

Edited July 28, 2018 by BritManToo

[stevenl]

On 7/27/2018 at 9:25 AM, KittenKong said:

Using cards also removes the cost of processing/banking cash, and largely removes the potential for cashier theft/fraud/errors. Not to mention armed robbery.

 

Many retailers would be delighted to never have to deal with cash again. Most governments would be delighted too.

Many, if not most or all, of the small retailers would disagree with you.

[Mattd]

Personally I find it ridiculous that companies whose trade almost entirely depends using their online presence as the means of selling would even contemplate charge customers to use a credit or debit card, it is almost like cutting your own throat and any related charges are the cost of doing business by their chosen means IMO.

[CNXBKKMAN]

Did the OP 100% book on the genuine Air Asia website? I just googled Air Asia, Air Asia Thai,  Thai Air Asia etc and as always you have to carefully look for the genuine Air Asia website. I have cheapoair.com as the second result for Air Asia which is sneaky. Another window has thailand.airasiago.com as the second result, thai.airasia.jetcost.co.th  . Basically theres all sorts of crap who have paid google to appear at or near the top. Its the same with all airline searches. The first on your guard moment before you click on to the official site and start unclicking the insurance, bags and meals that you never wanted.