Important Changes to Card Payments from 1 October 2026

From 1 October 2026, new card-payment rules will come into effect across Australia, and we are making some changes to prepare for them.

At Globe Trotters, we have always based our business on a cash-pricing model, and that will not change. We will continue to offer a discounted price to clients who pay by cash, BPAY or direct deposit. However, under the new rules, we must also provide a price that includes the cost of paying by credit or debit card.

​

What is changing?

From 1 October 2026, businesses will no longer be permitted to add a separate surcharge when customers pay using eftpos, Mastercard, Visa or American Express debit, credit or prepaid cards.

This means the card price quoted to you must already include the anticipated cost of accepting the card payment. Businesses may, however, continue to offer a genuine discount to customers who choose a lower-cost payment method, such as cash, BPAY or direct deposit.

​

What does this mean for you?

Until now, our clients have been able to choose their preferred payment method and clearly see any applicable card-processing fee.

From 1 October 2026, we will no longer be able to add a separate card fee after providing a price. Instead, our quotes will include the cost of paying by card.

Clients who choose to pay by cash, BPAY or direct deposit will continue to receive a discounted price. Any applicable discount will be clearly shown on your quote or invoice.

​

What happens to existing bookings?

Bookings made before 1 October 2026 were generally quoted using our cash-pricing model and were based on payment by cash, BPAY or direct deposit.

Credit card payments will not be accepted against the original cash price after 1 October 2026.

Our consultants will contact affected clients before the end of September. If you intend to pay by credit card, please let your consultant know so the card cost can be incorporated into your booking and a revised invoice issued before the new rules take effect.

If you are paying by cash, BPAY or direct deposit, you may notice a new service-fee line and a corresponding payment-method discount on your booking. This will not increase the amount payable using one of these discounted payment methods.

If you later decide to pay by credit or debit card, the payment-method discount will be removed and your invoice will be adjusted to show the applicable card-inclusive price.

​

Changes at the Travel Café

The Travel Café will not offer payment-method discounts. Instead, the cost of accepting card payments will be incorporated into our overall pricing.

We have not increased our café prices for more than 15 months. Unfortunately, these changes, together with increases in supplier and operating costs, mean we will need to review our café pricing before 1 October 2026.

​

Our position on transparency

At Globe Trotters, we have always believed in being transparent about fees and giving our clients a choice in how they pay.

These changes do not eliminate the costs businesses incur when accepting card payments. Instead, those costs must now be incorporated into the overall advertised or quoted price rather than being displayed as a separate card surcharge.

While we support simple and accurate pricing, we are concerned that these changes may make the true cost of card processing less visible to consumers and place the responsibility on clients to request a discount when choosing a lower-cost payment method.

We will continue to be as transparent as the new rules allow. Our team will clearly explain the available payment options and any eligible discounts while continuing to work with you to keep your holidays and business travel as affordable as possible.

If you have any questions about how these changes may affect your booking, please speak with your Globe Trotters consultant.