Why the difference
Interchange on credit funds card rewards and the issuer's credit risk. Regulated debit (from banks over $10 billion in assets) has capped interchange under Federal Reserve rules. Exempt debit and prepaid cards fall in between.
What it means for you
- Know your share of debit vs. credit vs. rewards/business cards
- Interchange-plus pricing passes debit savings through; flat rate may not
- Surcharges generally can't apply to debit cards
- Card-present transactions usually cost less than keyed-in
Run the numbers
Total card sales on your statement.
Add every fee line: discount, interchange, assessments, monthly, PCI, gateway.
Your effective rate
3.25%
Fees per year
$23,400
Avg. fee / sale
$4.88
Avg. ticket
$150.00
Effective rate is a diagnostic, not a savings quote. Card mix, card-present vs. keyed, and network rules change what any provider can offer.
Questions to ask your processor
- • Is my pricing interchange-plus, tiered or flat-rate?
- • What is your markup above interchange, in % and per item?
- • Which monthly, PCI, statement or gateway fees apply?
- • Is there an early-termination fee or equipment lease?
Estimates only. Results vary. No guarantee of approval, rates or savings.
Talk with a payments specialistCommon questions
Can I charge more for credit than debit?
Surcharging credit is allowed in some states under network rules; surcharging debit generally isn't. Check before changing prices.