Surcharge "Banned" - Your Next Holiday Will Still Cost More
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
The search charges are not disappearing. They're just going underground.
Under the new system, when that search charge is eliminated at the checkout, that doesn't mean the cost has disappeared.
The search charge you could see was protected by law. The one you can't is not.
I would rather know what the search charge is and know that a legal framework exists.
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From 1 October 2026, credit card surcharges are banned in Australia. The government says it'll save you money. But will it? In this video, I break down why the costs aren't disappearing - they're just going underground. Businesses can't absorb merchant fees forever, and for travellers and cruise lovers especially, the impact could be significant. I look at what the ban actually means, why the law that already existed since 2016 was already protecting you, and what cruise lines like Princess Cruises - who currently charge a 1.1% credit card surcharge - will do when they can no longer pass that cost on directly. Spoiler: the surcharge won't disappear. It will just stop introducing itself. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 🛳️ My website hosts one of the world's most powerful cruise search engines where you can research and even book your next cruise or land holiday. Take a look here: www.thecruiseandtravelguy.com.au - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 🛒 Shop my Amazon Cruise Essentials here: https://www.thecruiseandtravelguy.com.au/cruise-essentials - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 🤳🏼 Follow me on Facebook and Instagram: www.facebook.com/thecruiseandtravelguy www.instragram.com/adrianthecruiseandtravelguy 0:00 - Introduction 0:55 - What's actually changing on 1 October 2026 2:04 - The law you never knew existed 3:53 - The myth of the free lunch 5:49 - The cruise and travel impact 9:10 - The counterargument - being fair 10:51 The impact on travel agents 12:33 - My verdict Music by Master Planned Music