Accorplus dining sucharges

[Zetta]

Hi All, to gain Accor points from Accor Dinning, one needs to use cards (debit/credit) on to their account. Issue is, the 1.4% surcharge on credit cards makes it unattractive to accrue points.

Do restaurants accept say debit cards and not surcharge? Or when you stay, do you charge it to the room and pay by cash on check out?

Do you have ways to work around the 1.4% surchage and still gain points?

 

[PineappleSkip]

You could probably pay by cash on checkout, but accor says check with the individual hotel. TBH the 1.4% doesn't worry me as I have a QF points earning credit card.

Cheers skip

 

[kangarooflyer88]

This is one of the things that makes my blood boil living in Australia: retailers everywhere love to charge you 1-2% for having the audacity to use a card. It doesn't matter if it is EFTPOS or American Express and as others have point out you have little recourse but to pay with cash. I hope the ACCC would crack down on retailers doing this unethical practice. Elsewhere in the world, you don't pay extra for paying by card. Now I know some will point out that they need to recoup their cost one way or another and if they don't collect it from you they'll just build it into the price. So be it. I'd rather see the actual price I'm paying up front rather than be surprised after I tap my card.

How do you battle this theft? Very simple. Find a credit card that provides a whack of points/cashback rewards to "recoup" that loss. For instance, if I'm earning 1.25 QFF points per dollar spent on the QF AmEx Ultimate card, then I'm not doing too bad. In my case since I don't qualify for credit cards in Australia (I'm on a student visa), I just use my overseas Canadian credit cards at some of these retailers where I can guarantee that I'll earn way more than the surcharge and cost them way more than the surcharge they are charging (i.e. tapping my Canadian AmEx Platinum or BRIM card which has no FX fee and has a 1% cashback on top).

-RooFlyer88

 

[Zetta]

Let's say 1 point earned per dollar and 1.5% surcharge. This means 0.66 point per cent spent on surcharge. Meaning the normal 8000pt classic rewards domestic will not cut it.

A normal Syd to Bne is 8000 pt = $120 surcharge to accrue. The fare is ~$100 less tax. So for this to balance, you need a cc earning 1.5pt per dollar spent. Or use points on on flights that values at 1.5 cents per point.

Just rough numbers, not saying they are accurate.

 

[aikman]

This is one of the things that makes my blood boil living in Australia

Could be worse. Like having a whole bunch of taxes added at the end. And a minimum 20% tip.

1.4% card fee doesn't look too bad in comparison.

 

[elanshin]

Could be worse. Like having a whole bunch of taxes added at the end. And a minimum 20% tip.

1.4% card fee doesn't look too bad in comparison.

I was just about to say. I have to do some pretty serious math calculations to get to totals overseas as the taxes and other services fees are quite hefty.

Also afaik anywhere from 1-2% is just the business passing the cost on from Visa / MC / Amex for using their network. Soon you might see that 5-10% that Afterpay charges if the legislation goes through then you'll appreciate retailers separating out surcharges rather than baking the afterpay surcharge into your price.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Also afaik anywhere from 1-2% is just the business passing the cost on from Visa / MC / Amex for using their network

That's my understanding too. The ATO itemises out and passes on the fee it's charged (it can't charge more) so that provides a good guide to what a large institution or business can negotiate. The ACCC has banned excessive surcharges and its page notes the Reserve Bank estimates of what the relevant percentages are.

• Eftpos: less than 0.5%
• Visa and Mastercard debit: between 0.5% and 1%
• Visa and Mastercard credit: between 1% and 1.5%.

 

[Zetta]

Not trying to make this a merchant fee discussion but:

"According to Reserve Bank data, the average merchant fee is 0.9% for Visa and Mastercard credit card transactions. Amex fees are on the pricier side, with an average merchant fee sitting at the 1.3% mark as of September 2022"

So, 1.5% more than covers in average situation.

However, my question still revolves, how to bypass the fee and make Accor points. If I used debit cards, would that avoid the fee? Or if I was staying and charged to room and paid in cash on check out? Is there a fee to charge to room?

Maybe I just need an Amex instead of my 0.5 pts per dollar card.

 

[oz_mark]

However, my question still revolves, how to bypass the fee and make Accor points. If I used debit cards, would that avoid the fee? Or if I was staying and charged to room and paid in cash on check out? Is there a fee to charge to room?

If you are staying, you are better off charging to the room. There's not usually a fee to do this (as long as it's not room service you are ordering!)

 

[PineappleSkip]

If you are staying, you are better off charging to the room. There's not usually a fee to do this (as long as it's not room service you are ordering!)

Aren't you going to pay the fee on your total bill when you check out? Apart of course from when you use points to defray part of the total charge, which is one way out.

 

[oz_mark]

Aren't you going to pay the fee on your total bill when you check out? Apart of course from when you use points to defray part of the total charge, which is one way out.

You generally get more points on room charges (varies by hotel) than dining charges (1 point per Euro), plus the status points.

(Of course, if you are staying in a Mantra, or Art Series, won't make much difference)

 

[Zetta]

Aren't you going to pay the fee on your total bill when you check out? Apart of course from when you use points to defray part of the total charge, which is one way out.

Hence I am asking if there is a fee for charging it to the room. Happy to pay cash on checkout to avoid cc fee.

 

[knagelli]

If I were to have breafast at an Accor property as a non-staying guess , I always remember paying the total cost ( minus discount/benefits ) but not sure I ever noticed any surcharge being added.

Will try out later this week and update here if I experience anything different.

 

[asterix]

If I were to have breafast at an Accor property as a non-staying guess , I always remember paying the total cost ( minus discount/benefits ) but not sure I ever noticed any surcharge being added.

Will try out later this week and update here if I experience anything different.

I stayed at the Novotel Cairns Oasis last July and the Mercure Sydney last week and was charged a surcharge on all my dining expenses.

 

[Zetta]

Hence, I asked if anyone tried paying cash.

Also, is the surcharge just the 1.5% for paying by CC, or there are other charges on top for billing to room?

I stayed at the Novotel Cairns Oasis last July and the Mercure Sydney last week and was charged a surcharge on all my dining expenses.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Aren't you going to pay the fee on your total bill when you check out? Apart of course from when you use points to defray part of the total charge, which is one way out.

My understanding is that unless you are on a pre-paid rate, you will pay a merchant fee at most hotels of approximately 1.5% for the privilege of using debit or credit. This is a uniquely Australian thing so far as I can tell, having stayed at hotels in Europe, Asia and North America.

-RooFlyer88

 

[asterix]

Hence, I asked if anyone tried paying cash.

Also, is the surcharge just the 1.5% for paying by CC, or there are other charges on top for billing to room?

The surcharge is for using debit/credit card there is no surcharge for cash payments.

 

[Zetta]

Thanks. Cash it is.

The surcharge is for using debit/credit card there is no surcharge for cash payments.

 

[asterix]

I use my HSBC Everyday Global debit card for purchases under $100 in Australia as I get 2% cashback which covers most surcharges.

 

[knagelli]

Novotel Cairns Oasis

On a different note , how is Novotel Cairns Oasis and do they provide any upgrades/welcome benefits based on your status ? I will be staying there for a night this week before heading to Port Douglas. ta