What makes AMEX and V-M/C the biggest hypocrites in the world is the US Government is in effect allowing surcharges to be charged when a US citizen pays their tax payment by one of these credit cards, and AMEX and V-M/C stand mutely and allow this policy year after year. hmmm. What does that tell we consumers ?

Yes, I know the circumventing term "convenience fee" is the nifty buzzword that these payment acceptance places use. What convenience ? I am choosing to present payment in the form of credit card instead of check. Faster clearing to the government than my check actually. They should be DIScounting 3% back to me for the quick settlement I provide them.

Therefore, all a merchant has to do is call the surcharge a "convenience fee" and point to the US government as the precedence.

Or, post a prominent notice "all prices reflect 3% cash discount" and no problems. That's also been prooven to side-step the surcharge issue and stay with credit card companies' good graces. Just avoid using the term "surcharge".

simple enough.

Amex has no leg to stand on. Ryanair apparently didn't know the sham game AMEX and V-M/C play to let merchant openly charge surcharges, yet make them appear to be taking seriously the issue of surcharges.