Credit card surcharging
Credit card surcharging is a merchant pricing model that adds a compliant, fully disclosed fee to credit-card transactions — within card-brand rules and applicable state law — so eligible merchants can offset the cost of accepting credit. A compliant surcharge program applies to credit only: debit and prepaid cards cannot be surcharged, and some states restrict or prohibit it.
What credit card surcharging means
Surcharging adds a disclosed fee to credit-card transactions so eligible merchants can offset the cost of accepting credit. The surcharge is shown to the customer at the point of entry and itemized on the receipt, and it applies to credit cards only — debit and prepaid can never be surcharged, even when run as credit.
Because card-brand rules and state law both govern surcharging, eligibility and configuration matter. Some states restrict or prohibit it, and the program has to be registered and disclosed correctly. It is related to cash discount and dual pricing, and it pairs with retail payment processing and the right POS system. Eligible low-risk retailers and service businesses use it, and so do many high-risk merchant accounts once the program is configured correctly. Compare every option on our pricing overview, or get approved to configure a compliant surcharge program for your business.
How surcharging works
Confirm eligibility
We check the card-brand requirements and the rules in your state, and register your intent to surcharge where that is required before anything goes live.
Apply to credit only
The surcharge is configured to apply solely to credit-card transactions. Debit and prepaid are never surcharged, so the point of sale must identify card type accurately.
Disclose it clearly
The surcharge is disclosed to the customer at the point of entry and itemized on the receipt, keeping the program transparent and compliant.
Stay within the rules
Your program stays within the applicable caps, state restrictions, and card-brand requirements, which we help you monitor as rules change.
Who surcharging fits best
Eligible retail merchants
Card-present shops in states that permit surcharging, looking to offset the cost of accepting credit at the counter.
Service businesses
Trades, professional services, and repair shops that take credit for larger tickets and want to recover acceptance costs.
B2B sellers
Businesses invoicing other companies that pay by credit card and can pass a compliant surcharge within the rules.
Multi-location operators
Operators who need a consistent, compliant surcharge configuration standardized across eligible locations.
The trade-offs at a glance
Advantages
- Offsets the cost of accepting credit for eligible merchants.
- Applies only to credit transactions, never to debit or prepaid.
- Fully disclosed to customers at entry and on the receipt.
- Compliant when configured within card-brand and state rules.
Trade-offs
- Debit and prepaid cards cannot be surcharged under card-brand rules.
- Some states restrict or prohibit surcharging entirely.
- Requires registration, disclosure, and correct point-of-sale configuration.
Related pricing and resources
Compare all pricing models
See surcharging alongside interchange-plus, flat rate, cash discount, and dual pricing.
Cash discount
Post one card price and reward cash customers with a disclosed discount.
Dual pricing
Display both a cash price and a card price and let the customer choose.
Retail payment processing
Card-present accounts built for compliant in-store acceptance.
POS systems
Point-of-sale hardware and software configured to identify card type and disclose surcharges.
High-risk merchant accounts
Custom-quoted acceptance for businesses other processors decline.
Surcharging FAQ
What is surcharging?
Surcharging adds a compliant fee to credit-card transactions, within the card brands’ rules and applicable state law, so eligible merchants can offset the cost of accepting credit. The surcharge is disclosed to the customer up front and at the receipt, and it applies only to credit — never to debit.
Can I surcharge debit cards?
No. Debit and prepaid transactions cannot be surcharged under card-brand rules, even when a customer runs a debit card as credit. A compliant surcharge program applies to credit-card transactions only, which is why the point of sale has to identify card type correctly.
Is surcharging allowed in every state?
Not everywhere. Some states restrict or prohibit surcharging, and card-brand rules add their own requirements, including registration and caps. Eligibility depends on where you operate and how your program is configured, so we confirm the rules for your situation before setting it up.
What do I need to surcharge compliantly?
You typically need to register your intent to surcharge with the card brands, apply the surcharge to credit only, disclose it clearly at the point of entry and on the receipt, and stay within the applicable caps and state rules. We help you configure the account and point of sale so each requirement is met.
How is surcharging different from cash discount?
Surcharging adds a fee on top of the base price for credit transactions, while a cash discount starts from the card price and takes an amount off for cash. They are governed by different rules — a specialist can help you choose the model that fits your business and location.
Can high-risk and specialty merchants set up surcharging?
Often, yes. A compliant credit-card surcharge program is available to many low-risk retail and service merchants as well as eligible high-risk businesses, provided the account is configured within card-brand rules and your state permits it. Because eligibility depends on your industry, location, and merchant account setup, we confirm what applies before your program goes live.
Does surcharging affect my other processing options?
No. Surcharging is one pricing model among several — you can also compare interchange-plus, flat-rate, blended, cash discount, and dual pricing — and you can pair it with the payment gateway, POS system, and merchant account that fit your business. A specialist can map the right combination for how you take payments.