The cases form part of a wider CMA crackdown on drip pricing, where mandatory fees are separated from the headline price or added later during the booking process.
The regulator said such practices can leave consumers facing unexpected costs and make it harder to compare competing offers. A business using drip pricing could also appear cheaper than rivals when its advertised price does not include unavoidable charges.
The CMA is investigating whether Trainline includes all mandatory fees in the upfront prices displayed on its website and app for advance train and coach bookings.
For train travel, the CMA identified fees ranging from £0.59 to £2.79, while coach bookings carried a £1.50 booking fee. The regulator said these charges can add up for frequent travelers.
The CMA is also examining Virgin Atlantic’s package holiday pricing, focusing on whether mandatory resort fees and local taxes are included in the initial prices shown to customers.
These charges vary by destination but can add hundreds of pounds to a holiday and substantially increase the final cost.
Both companies were previously sent advisory letters as part of the CMA’s initial consumer protection campaign, which used the regulator’s strengthened enforcement powers.
The CMA stressed that the investigations are at an early stage and that it has not concluded that either company has broken the law.
If an infringement is established, the CMA can order companies to compensate affected consumers and impose fines of up to 10% of global annual turnover.
Emma Cochrane, CMA executive director for consumer protection, said consumers should not be surprised by additional mandatory charges when booking travel.
“Clear pricing helps people compare offers confidently,” she said, adding that “the first price customers see should be the price they pay.”
The investigations are part of the CMA’s broader cost-of-living work. Since gaining stronger consumer enforcement powers, the regulator has opened cases covering ticketing, gyms, homeware, online reviews and air travel.
CMA actions have so far secured more than £1.95 million in refunds for UK consumers and resulted in fines approaching £6.2 million.
Tags: Emma Cochrane, CMA Virgin Atlantic
