Airport parking failure charges thousands to credit card

Credit cards are an efficient method of payment, but there will be occasions where electronic systems fail and something goes wrong. There are fewer more striking examples than when a motorist found his credit card charged $1,925 when he was mistakenly billed for five weeks instead of two hours at Melbourne Airport.

Alan Cockbill made his trip to the airport on December 23rd, but found his credit card maxed out when the machine billed him in error for a five-week stay.

During a previous trip made on November 19th, Mr Cockbill had found himself unable to swipe his credit card because the exit gates had failed and were being operated manually.

Hence, in December, the airport’s computer systems registered the car as having been parked for the entire five-week period.

The airport management have not been swift to refund the amount to Mr Cockbill’s credit card, and he has since been charged a fee for exceeding his credit card limit.

The airport explained that the staff manually operating the barriers during a power outage in November should have ensured that his credit card was manually swiped.

A spokeswoman noted their process that sees customers contacted within five working days to advise them of refund procedures.

Consumers are advised to check the deductions from their credit card accounts regularly to offer the best chance of spotting abnormalities.

Ashley King