Companies Charging Credit Card Fees – Written by Raychelle Heath Raychelle HeathArrow Personal Finance Contributor Right Connect with Raychelle Heath on LinkedIn Linkedin Raychelle Heath
Edited by Liliana Hall Liliana HallArrow Writer Associate Editor Liliana is an editor and journalist with experience writing features on the Credit Cards team. Connect with Liliana Hall on LinkedIn Linkedin Liliana Hall
Companies Charging Credit Card Fees
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As the US USA move toward a cashless economy, the issue of merchant charges becomes more important when processing credit card payments.
Most companies will charge merchant fees that arise from processing credit card payments. However, some pass this fee on to customers.
In short, merchant fees are legal in most states as long as the company follows the necessary protocols. But before we dive into the details, it’s important to distinguish between two types of fees a business can charge: convenience fees and surcharges.
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A convenience fee is charged when a customer uses a form of payment that is not customary for the business. For example, a business that typically accepts payments online may offer the option to pay fees over the phone. Convenience fees are legal in all 50 states, but must be clearly stated at the point of sale. Additionally, a convenience fee may only be charged if another preferred form of payment is available as an option.
When a business charges a fee for making a payment, whether in person, online, or over the phone, it’s called a surcharge. Credit card surcharges apply when you use your credit card to pay. In states where surcharges are legal, they must be clearly displayed at the point of sale and on your receipt. Surcharge regulations are specific to the US. USA and merchants are prohibited from applying surcharges to card payments abroad (the exception to this rule is in Canada).
You might be wondering why the seller would charge you a fee if you’ve already paid for your purchase. The reason most sellers charge fees comes down to how credit card transactions work.
Card issuers charge a merchant fee every time you use your credit card. The merchant is expected to charge this fee for processing credit card payments. However, these rates may increase. To avoid paying this fee every time someone uses a credit card for a business, the fee is passed on to the consumer as a surcharge.
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While some merchants don’t realize they can charge extra, many avoid it simply because they value their customers. It can also present a problem for some companies to know how to apply the charges. Instead, many businesses absorb the cost of processing credit card payments as part of their overhead.
Gas stations, for example, are among the businesses that can charge convenience fees and surcharges. However, the reason you’re paying more with a credit card at the pump may come down to a game of semantics.
When a business chooses to impose a credit card surcharge, there are protocols that must be followed. For one, the company must notify the relevant credit card associations and clearly disclose that it charges a fee for credit card use. Credit card surcharges cannot exceed the cost of accepting the card or four percent, whichever is less, even if it costs the business more to process the credit card payment.
Convenience fees work in the same way as they are meant to help cover business costs. Convenience fees are usually two to three percent of the purchase price. These two fees are meant to help the company cover any processing fees you may have to pay when you make a payment. For this reason, the fee should not exceed the amount of the processing fee. If companies try to overcharge, they should report it to your card issuer.
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Credit card surcharges are handled differently in each state. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from companies across the country.
Merchants can’t impose credit card surcharges, but they can offer discounts for paying by cash, check or other non-credit card methods. Payment charges are allowed by credit cards approved by the California Public Utilities Commission.
Credit card surcharges cannot be included in any sale or lease transaction. Discounts may be offered for payment by cash, check or other non-credit card methods, but must be clearly displayed and offered to all customers.
No seller can apply credit card surcharges, but sellers can set a minimum purchase amount. Sellers may also offer discounts for paying by cash, check or other non-credit card methods.
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Credit card surcharges cannot be included in any sale or lease transaction. There is no law on exemptions for different payment methods.
A convenience fee may be charged if other fee-free payment options are offered. There is no law on exemptions for different payment methods.
Credit card surcharges cannot be included in any sale or lease transaction. Government bodies may charge surcharges if they are clearly disclosed before payment and there is no discount law for different payment methods.
Credit card surcharges cannot be added to any sales transaction. Sellers may offer discounts for paying by cash, check or other non-credit card methods.
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Sellers may impose a credit card surcharge not to exceed 5 percent of the purchase price. Surcharges must be posted and clearly communicated prior to payment. Merchants cannot and will not impose surcharges on your branded credit cards.
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