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Merchant education

Understand credit card processing.

Four common pricing approaches can look similar at checkout but work differently behind the scenes. Learn the basics, compare your options and ask better questions before choosing a program.

Four ways to structure pricing

Which approach fits your business?

The right setup depends on your customers, card mix, average ticket, location and how you want prices displayed.

01

Cash Discount

Your posted regular price includes the cost of card acceptance, and customers who pay with cash receive a clearly disclosed discount.

  • Rewards customers who choose cash
  • Can help offset eligible processing costs
  • Requires clear signage and receipt disclosure
  • Must be configured as a true discount from the posted price
Simple example
A product has a posted regular price. The customer sees a lower total when choosing cash.
Customer receipt example
SAMPLE BUSINESS
CASH PAYMENT
Regular price$103.99
Cash discount−$3.99
TOTAL PAID$100.00

Paid with cash · You saved $3.99

Worth considering for Businesses that want one regular posted price and a visible cash incentive.
02

Dual Pricing

Cash and card prices are shown side by side so customers can see both options before they choose how to pay.

  • Makes the payment choice visible early
  • Can be displayed on menus, shelves or the POS
  • Supports transparent conversations at checkout
  • Needs consistent pricing across signs, menus and receipts
Simple example
The menu or register displays a cash price and a card price for the same item.
Customer receipt example
SAMPLE BUSINESS
DUAL PRICE DISPLAY
Cash price$100.00
Card price$103.99
PaymentCard
TOTAL PAID$103.99

Both prices shown before payment

Worth considering for Restaurants, retail stores and service businesses that can clearly display two prices.
03

Interchange Plus

Your cost is separated into the card network’s interchange, applicable assessments and an agreed processor markup.

  • Shows the processor markup separately
  • Costs vary with card type and transaction method
  • Helpful for statement-level cost analysis
  • Monthly expense can change with your card mix
Simple formula
Interchange + network assessments + processor markup = processing cost.
Customer receipt example
SAMPLE BUSINESS
CARD PAYMENT
Purchase$100.00
TOTAL PAID$100.00

Processing costs appear on the merchant statement, not normally as a customer receipt line.

Worth considering for Merchants who value detailed reporting and transparent cost components.
04

Credit Card Surcharge

A surcharge is a separately disclosed fee added when a customer chooses an eligible credit card. It is different from a cash discount because the fee is added to the advertised base price.

  • Applies only where permitted by law and card-brand rules
  • Not permitted on debit or prepaid cards
  • Requires clear disclosure before payment and on the receipt
  • Cannot exceed the merchant’s eligible acceptance cost or the applicable network cap
Simple example
A $100.00 purchase with an illustrative 3.00% credit-card surcharge totals $103.00.
Customer receipt example
SAMPLE BUSINESS
CREDIT CARD PAYMENT
Purchase$100.00
Credit card surcharge (3.00%)$3.00
TOTAL PAID$103.00

Illustration only · Credit card surcharge disclosed before payment · Debit and prepaid excluded

Worth considering for Eligible merchants that can meet notice, signage, disclosure, receipt and jurisdiction requirements.
Quick comparison

See the differences at a glance.

Pricing modelWhat the customer seesWhat the merchant should review
Cash DiscountA posted regular price and a lower cash price.Program setup, signage, receipts, eligible transactions and local rules.
Dual PricingCash and card prices displayed together before payment.Consistent display on menus, shelves, invoices, POS screens and receipts.
Interchange PlusUsually one customer price; processing cost stays with the business.Interchange categories, assessments, processor markup and other account fees.
Credit Card SurchargeThe advertised base price plus a separately disclosed fee on an eligible credit-card payment.Card eligibility, network and acquirer notice, signage, receipt disclosure, fee limits and applicable law.

Important compliance note

Payment pricing programs are not structured or permitted the same way in every jurisdiction. Card-brand rules, debit-card treatment, disclosures and local law can change. This page is educational, not legal advice. We will review program availability and implementation details with your business before enrollment.

Let’s compare the options for your business.

We can review your current statement, business type and customer experience, then explain which available program may fit.

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