British Airways on Wednesday began informing corporate clients that on March 1 it will introduce a merchant fee surcharge of £4.50 (US$7.02) on all non-premium tickets bought by credit card through British travel agents

. As first reported by The Beat, BA told corporate customers that all tickets in first class, business class and premium economy will be exempt, as will tickets purchased with a Visa or MasterCard debit card. Tickets that combine premium and economy fares on the same itinerary will incur the charge, but it will not apply to reissues or revalidations.