International cardholders can now buy air tickets online for overseas travel

The Bangladesh Bank has allowed international credit or debit cardholders to purchase air tickets online from Bangladesh for destinations outside Bangladesh.

Earlier, cardholders could only purchase such tickets while on a visit abroad.

A circular issued by the central bank in this regard on Thursday also allowed Bangladeshi travel operators to receive payment in foreign currency from international cards against hotel booking and sales of railway or bus tickets for destinations outside Bangladesh.

It will help travelers to purchase air, railway and bus tickets and book hotels from local travel operators at reasonable cost, officials of the Bangladesh Bank said.

An official of the central bank told The Business Standard, "The Bangladesh Bank has continuously been updating regulations to facilitate business. The new rules will support travelers to arrange travel plans through local travel operators in a simple way by using their international cards."

The new circular of the Bangladesh Bank also allowed Bangladeshi travel operators to provide ticketing services to travelers proceeding abroad for journeys to destinations outside Bangladesh against payment by international cards.

In this context, authorised dealer (AD) banks, which deal with foreign currencies, shall provide acquiring services to travel operators in Bangladesh for capturing online payments by international cards against sales of air tickets, the circular added.

Travel operators shall have relevant registrations or permissions or licences including membership with trade association representing the sector. They shall also have tie-up arrangements with internationally recognised tour operators or airlines.

Acquiring services by ADs may also be applicable for capturing payments against such sales to foreign nationals or non-residents residing abroad or in Bangladesh.

The payments so captured by ADs shall be retained in foreign currency margin accounts of travel operators for settlement of payments abroad after adjustments of commission, refund and taxes.