Payment Pricing Models, Side by Side

Dual pricing, surcharging, cash discount, interchange plus and tiered. How each one works, what it costs the business, and where the compliance traps are.

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Ratings are from the business owner's point of view. Card brand rules and state laws change. Confirm current requirements with the processor before launching any program.

Monthly sales volume ($) Average ticket ($) Paid by card: The rest is cash or check. Of card sales, debit cards: Matters for surcharging. Debit and prepaid cards can't be surcharged.

Edit rate assumptions

Defaults are typical market rates, not quotes. Plug in a real statement for real numbers.

Estimated monthly cost of taking cards (net of anything recovered from customers)

Yearly difference vs. tiered pricing, best option

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State notes reflect public guidance as of late 2026. A pending Visa and Mastercard merchant settlement (preliminary approval June 2026) may change surcharge rules once final.

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For education only. This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Calculator figures are estimates based on the assumptions shown. Card brand rules and state laws change, so confirm current requirements before launching any pricing program.