Reserve Bank of Australia surcharge ban set to reshape credit‑card fees and travel‑agent commissions

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will prohibit surcharges on credit and debit card transactions from 1 October 2026. Governor Michele Bullock said “surcharging no longer works as intended” because the rules are complex and often undisclosed, and most consumers want the practice stopped. The ban is expected to cut banks’ revenue by about AUD 660 million a year by lowering caps on inter‑charge fees that merchants pay per card transaction.

Consumers currently pay roughly AUD 1.6 billion annually in card‑payment surcharges, with some airlines charging fees as high as AUD 66 on international flight bookings. The RBA’s reform aims to make card payments fairer as cash usage declines.

Travel agents warn that the ban will also affect the generosity of premium‑card perks. Banks have already begun scaling back credit‑card rewards, lounge access and free travel‑insurance policies. With commission on airfare sales often below 1 percent, agents such as Justine Waddington of Encounter Travel say they may have to refuse credit‑card payments or require direct‑deposit, potentially raising prices for travelers.