Singapore Airlines Changes Mind on Credit Card Fees
Jennifer Billock January 05, 2018
Singapore Airlines says “never mind” on a decision to charge fees for credit cards users on certain fares.
On January 3, Singapore Airlines announced it would charge credit card fees for travelers departing Singapore and purchasing Economy Lite tickets, following suit with the airline’s similar policies for Economy Lite tickets issued for flights departing Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The fees to be assessed would have been 1.3 percent, but only up to $50.
Today, the airline backpedaled, after copious amounts of negative feedback and complaints on social media. The company has not released an explanation as to why the decision was reversed, but a circular obtained by The Straits Times informed sales agents and partners that the fee would no longer be happening.
The short circular only stated, “Following a further review, Singapore Airlines will not be proceeding with the implementation of the CCSF (credit card service fee).”
The credit card fees were expected to take effect on January 20, and only on the Economy Lite fares. Similar fees already in place started in 2016. Economy Lite fares are also now subject to a $5 charge for advance seat selection.
Singapore Airlines is not the first airline to suggest imposing credit card fees like this. Some budget carriers, including AirAsia, Scoot, and Jetstar already have these fees in place, and some larger airlines, including Qantas and British Airways, also impose similar fees.
Travelers across the board are frustrated with the never-ending fees coming from airlines lately.
“It seems that every airline wants to become a low-cost carrier in the economy cabin,” traveler Gary Ho told The Straits Times. “Fares should be all inclusive. Adding surcharges left, right and center, just makes airfares harder to compare and unnecessarily complicated.”
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I have no problem with fees that may be considered optional. If you don't want to pay for a checked bag, then don't bring a checked bag. If you don't want to pay for an assigned seat, then roll the dice and accept the seat they give you at check-in. But credit card fees? For all practical purposes, this is the only way to purchase an airline ticket, so it is not optional. I suppose you could go to the airport with a pocket full of cash, but I don't think the airlines want that either. Use your head Singapore!