Last year the government announced it would ban hidden fees at the end of this year, so companies such as Ryanair are using the remaining time to rake in money from customers. Read how here.

By Lana Clements

At the end of last year the government announced it would put an end to companies fleecing customers with hidden booking fees on credit and debit card transactions.

As a ban won't come into force until the end of this year, unscrupulous companies are making the most of the time left to hike fees and continue charging customers an estimated £265,000 a day, according to consumer organisation Which?

One of the worst and most unashamed offenders is Ryanair, charging £48 in credit or debit card fees for return flights for a family of four, according to the Mail Online. It's estimated to cost companies around 8p to 20p to process credit or debit card transactions.

But the company headed by Micheal O'Leary charges for each passenger on every leg of a journey, even if it's paid for in one transaction.

The money-grabbing airline, also hiked baggage charges earlier this month - just in time for summer holidays. It now charges £80 for a 20kg bag, and if you forget to book it in online, it will be an eye-watering £100.

According to the Daily Mirror, this is more than double the increases brought in by other air travel companies.

However, Ryanair isn't alone. Wizzair and Aer Lingus charge just as much for credit or debit card use, while Flybe and Bmibaby are not far behind. In a rare effort to bring forward transparency, easyJet has reportedly added an extra £9 to ticket prices, instead of charging an administration fee.

Money-saving travellers are often duped into flying with so-called 'budget' airlines, only to realise, after the many booking fees, much of the time it works out around the same price as other companies.