His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, has instructed retailers to stop charging additional fees on credit card usage, effective July 1, 2011.

Retailers have been told to stop charging additional fees on credit card usage from next month.

The Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection passed a resolution banning shops from imposing surcharges on transactions as commission, the committee said today.

Dubai: Retailers in the UAE has been asked to stop charging additional fees on credit-card usage, effective from July 1, 2011, UAE Ministry of Economy said in a statement on Monday.

Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, was heading the second meeting of the committee for 2011, which passed a resolution prohibiting retailers from imposing surcharges on credit-card usage as commission.

Q. Is there any difference between using a debit card and a credit card with respect to a fraudulent purchase?
— Joyce in Robbinsville

A. While the Brain loves using debit cards to avoid debt — you can only spend what you have in your account — consumers do generally get more protections with credit card purchases.

Households receiving offers for "business" credit cards would be wise to throw them away, a nonprofit research group is warning consumers.

Business credit cards are marketed to corporations, small business owners, sole proprietors and individuals who may want to use the cards to keep track of work-related expenses. The cards generally offer enhanced bookkeeping services to help categorize and monitor transactions.

As credit card charge-off rates continue on a path to hit record lows next year, the number of consumers seeking credit-counseling help also is declining.

Consumers have resolved their credit card problems to such an extent over the past year that nonprofit credit-counseling firms are noticing a significant decline in demand for their services, resulting in layoffs at some firms.

FAIRBANKS — A credit card is like a chain saw — it’s a handy tool, but it can create havoc if used improperly. The same advice applies — choose the right tool for the job and follow safety rules.

Credit cards are not alike. That’s why it’s important to review a card’s terms and costs before you apply for it.

In general, if you expect to pay your credit card bill each month, choose a card that has no annual fee and has rebates or rewards that work for you. Make sure the creditor grants you a “grace period” before incurring interest charges; not all card companies offer this option. The problem with this type of card is you pay interest from the date of purchase.

I'm personally not a fan of rewards cards except for just basic cashback because otherwise it turns using a credit card into a game and encourages more spending (because otherwise would credit card companies do it??). So if you do go for one of these or any other card, make sure you read your terms and conditions carefully and know what you're going into. Avoid charging more than what you can pay off in a month. That interest adding up could eat away or even surpass the rewards or savings that drew you to the card in the first place.

Monarch, the scheduled leisure airline, has abolished the fees it charges passengers for using debit cards to book flights.

In a move that will put pressure on its rivals to follow its lead, Monarch is eliminating debit card fees and introducing a fixed fee for all credit card bookings.

Conrad Clifford, the Chief Executive of Monarch Group, said: “In these difficult economic times, there is absolutely no justification advertising one fare and then stinging consumers with hidden excess charges.

AUSTRALIA'S biggest bank has been offering $1 credit cards with a $100 credit up front to sweeten the deal.

The Commonwealth Bank is the first Australian financial institution to target online consumers via the Jump On It site in its push for credit cards, a move which worries consumer groups.

Choice spokeswoman Ingrid Just said the temptation of a one-off cash payment meant some consumers were likely to sign up for a credit card without thinking of the financial consequences.