ÖBB Bistros by catering company DoN's offer discount for card payments

"With the switch to the summer menu since June 19, we have introduced a new discount for customers of 5 percent for card payments in our on-board gastronomy," says ÖBB spokesperson Bernhard Rieder about the discount for card payments in ÖBB bistros by the catering company DoN's. "Together with our service provider DoN's, we wanted to create an incentive for customers to pay their bills more frequently by card in the future."

After Discount for Card Payments in ÖBB Bistros by Catering Company DoN's: Card Payments Have Already Increased Further

"The discount is being gladly accepted by our passengers," emphasized Rieder. "In the first few days since the introduction, card payments have increased by around 10 percent." During billing, effort is saved and security is increased, as employees have to carry less cash, according to the spokesperson of the catering company to the "SN". "Card payments also significantly shorten transaction times, which leads to noticeably shorter waiting times for our guests in a high-frequency environment like train gastronomy," she told the newspaper. The feedback from customers is predominantly positive. "Our goal is not to exclude or penalize guests who pay in cash," said the DoN's spokesperson. "Instead of introducing a surcharge for card payments, we decided to reward them with a small price advantage."

No Disadvantage for Cash Payers Due to Discount for Card Payments in ÖBB Bistros by Catering Company DoN's

The prices for all drinks and food have remained the same since December 2024 and were not increased with this change, Rieder emphasized to the APA. "Cash payers are not disadvantaged." Legally, a reverse approach with surcharges would not be allowed anyway. This is regulated in the so-called Payment Services Act. "The law explicitly states that the recipient of a payment may not charge a separate fee for the use of a specific payment instrument," explains VKI lawyer Joachim Kogelmann according to the "Salzburger Nachrichten". More than ten years ago, the VKI went through the courts with a class action and was upheld by the European Court of Justice. At that time, it was about payment slip fees.

However, granting a discount when paying by card is possible. But not everyone is happy about it. A veritable wave of protest came from the FPÖ, from Secretary General Christian Hafenecker downwards. He called for the intervention of the Minister of Transport responsible for ÖBB, Peter Hanke (SPÖ), against the discount for cards. "The discrimination against cash payers in ÖBB dining cars is a tangible scandal and must be stopped immediately," demanded the Freedom Party member. Cash payers would be condemned to a "penalty surcharge". The federal politician also argued that ÖBB is a state-owned company. However, it is not their business which payment method their customers choose.

DoN's itself is of course not state-owned, but an external caterer commissioned by ÖBB. The company DoN's, owned by restaurateur Josef Donhausser, became the ÖBB caterer in spring 2018 after the provider switch from Do&Co to DoN's. For example, after its "entry", DoN's brought its own equipment such as cash register systems or service trolleys.

ÖBB Relies on "Catering Zones" in Double-Deck Railjets

By the way: In the double-decker ÖBB Railjets announced on Wednesday for long-distance travel from the end of 2026, the question does not arise. There are no bistros there, but "catering zones" with snack and drink machines. They work digitally and with cash without any known price difference so far.

(APA/red)

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