Klaus Bartosch has started an online petition to stop Jetstar from charging exorbitant credit card surcharges / Pic: Richard Gosling Source: The Daily Telegraph CONSUMERS appear to have done what the Reserve Bank couldn't - trigger the end of over-the-top credit card surcharges that add hundreds of millions of dollars to the cost of flights, hotels and taxi rides. The federal government has been gobsmacked by the "palpable rage" of more than 2000 people who have completed a surcharge survey set up by a panel of expert advisers to Treasury. Airlines in particular have drawn the scorn of their passengers, who feel they are being ripped off when they book online and pay with plastic. Nearly 40 per cent of those surveyed complained about airlines, often pointing to the $17 surcharge that applies to flights advertised at less than $100. According to Visa and Mastercard, airlines should be charging little more than $1 on such a transaction. Choice recently estimated Qantas alone is collecting $200 million a year in surcharge fees. Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury told Public Defender there was "particular concern" among respondents that surcharges were not being declared until the end of a lengthy transaction, hiding the real cost of tickets. "Thousands of people have responded to this survey and there is palpable rage towards some companies that are trying to gouge their customers with excessive credit card surcharges," Mr Bradbury said. The reality of online commerce is that people are increasingly using their credit cards to pay for goods and services, but unfortunately some companies see this as a way to profiteer. The survey, which is open until tomorrow, will underpin the expert panel's report to Treasury on how to stop the rort. The panel is due to report by the end of July. Mr Bradbury said he was determined to fix the problem but whether he can before the election is unclear. He asked the expert panel for advice after the total failure of Reserve Bank of Australia action meant to end plastic profiteering. In March, the RBA limited surcharges to the "reasonable cost of acceptance." But nothing happened. It is the second time the RBA has meddled in surcharging without delivering any benefit to consumers. Survey respondents are among the 43,000 who have signed an anti-surcharge petition set up by former Sydney businessman Klaus Bartosch.