Avoid booking fee when paying taxes on reward fare?

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asterix

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I'm looking at booking a four return tickets using my Velocity points, however I want to pay the taxes with $ instead of points as to me they are cheaper if paid in $. I was going to buy a Virgin gift voucher to cover the cost, however you can't use vouchers when paying the tax component of a rewards fare. From what I can see when I get to the payment screen, the only option to pay the taxes which are about $420 is to use a credit card, which will incur a booking fee of $40.

Is there anyway around this $40 booking fee?
 
I'm looking at booking a four return tickets using my Velocity points, however I want to pay the taxes with $ instead of points as to me they are cheaper if paid in $. I was going to buy a Virgin gift voucher to cover the cost, however you can't use vouchers when paying the tax component of a rewards fare. From what I can see when I get to the payment screen, the only option to pay the taxes which are about $420 is to use a credit card, which will incur a booking fee of $40.

Is there anyway around this $40 booking fee?

POLi I think is only option.
You can't get round it using Global Wallet (unlike Qantas Cash)
 
Is there anyway around this $40 booking fee?
No, they only give you the option to pay the taxes by credit card. If the taxes are over $50.00 then there is a booking fee.
I dont understand the $40, its $30 for international or $7.70 for domestic
 
Recently booked some VA awards on SQ there was no booking fee charged even over the $50 mark for the taxes.
 
I booked two VA/EY tickets last week. The first was online and taxes were about $90, but I wasn't charged the fee. On the second (that had to be booked over the phone), taxes were $117 and the $30 fee was charged.

If there's no other way to pay it... Then charging a nearly 30% credit card surcharge is just terrible
 
No, they only give you the option to pay the taxes by credit card. If the taxes are over $50.00 then there is a booking fee.
I dont understand the $40, its $30 for international or $7.70 for domestic

The $40 booking fee is because they charge $10 per person.

Copied from the website:
Flights and taxes are quoted per person in Velocity points and AUD excluding the Booking and Service Fee of $ 10.00 which is charged per Guest per booking for payments made over $ 50.00 by credit or debit card.
 
Recently booked some VA awards on SQ there was no booking fee charged even over the $50 mark for the taxes.
just did a dummy run and its says right under the credit card logos, but doesnt seem to add it to the total payment, yet.
"A Booking and Service Fee applies to credit and debit card bookings per Guest per booking when the payment amount is over $50AU"


 
just did a dummy run and its says right under the credit card logos, but doesnt seem to add it to the total payment, yet.
"A Booking and Service Fee applies to credit and debit card bookings per Guest per booking when the payment amount is over $50AU"

My balance due increases by $40 as soon as I select the credit card type. Can't see anyway around the fee, even if I book the tickets individually the taxes are still just over $50, so it will still charge me the booking fee.
 
if I book the tickets individually the taxes are still just over $50, so it will still charge me the booking fee.
if thats the case, move the sliding bar every so slightly to reduce the taxes to < $50
if its only a small amount to reduce, its well worth investing a handful of points.
 
The $40 booking fee is because they charge $10 per person.

Copied from the website:
Flights and taxes are quoted per person in Velocity points and AUD excluding the Booking and Service Fee of $ 10.00 which is charged per Guest per booking for payments made over $ 50.00 by credit or debit card.

Do you have a link? The fee should be $7.70 for domestic bookings
 
if thats the case, move the sliding bar every so slightly to reduce the taxes to < $50
if its only a small amount to reduce, its well worth investing a handful of points.

That's an option, although two of the fares are for the kids 6 and 8, so not sure if it would let me book them a ticket with only themselves in the booking.
 
I thought it was illegal to charge a credit card fee when no other payment options are available?
 
its not a credit card fee.

I know that's what they say... But does it pass the "reasonable person" test to say that it's charged when the taxes are above $50 (so making it a dollar based situation)?

Not having a go, just genuinely curious. If the ACCC were ever to actually regulate credit card fees properly and limit the surcharge to say 0.88% (i.e. The actual cost), would a shop be able to say "oh we charge 3% for credit card payments. It's not a credit card surcharge, it's a purchase fee"?
 
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its not a credit card fee.
Because they've used "Booking fee"? They must really think people are stupid. If it's a booking fee then include it in the up front airfare not as an add-on at payment stage.
 
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