topic Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC in Credit Cards

Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

unsungivy — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:23:57 GMT

So, I'm ok with this for smaller mom&pop stores; they're expanding the type of payment they take on a razor-thin margin. I'm ok with my dentist doing this: they have a sign that spells it out on their counter and recommends using HSA/FSA directly.

I'm NOT ok with restaurants (especially sit-down for which 90% of customers would pay with a CC) doing this, and burying the lead. CC swipe fee is the "cost for doing business", and them having it in the corner of the menu (which you no longer have by the time the bill comes) and suddenly the bill differs from what they just ran on your CC without them actually saying anything to you... nope. You won't get repeat business.

It does seem like more places are fobbing off this swipe fee to the consumer rather than absorbing it as the "cost of doing business" or offering a DISCOUNT for using debit or cash.

I'm concerned about this basically ripping off people who don't pay attention, like my 80+yr old parents. They just want to use 1 or 2 cards for everything. For most people (who don't live on these forums) 3% back is hefty enough that they may not have any better in any category, much less as a flat rate. This means that they are either breaking even after more work, or actually spending more money using a CC. (This is where having a 1% debit card would actually trump CCs, but with no protections.)

Thoughts? Anyone else starting to get irate at this shadiness, especially the growing prevalence?

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

Spotsy — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:00:43 GMT

I agree that it is frustrating to have these "fee" being added to our checkout bills, but let's not stop at simple CC usage fees. How about Target in CO or some other state charging a 1% or maybe it's .5% fee on all checkout bills for 'maintaining the property'. Or how about tipping....tipping on everything it seems.

As a consumer, I would like to see a rule allowing the ability to write a check to avoid CC fees, or we must be given a discount for doing self-checkout, or tips are not allowed on a CC charge, just the product being purchased. Or we can simply refuse to patronage these places that charge fees at checkout.

Yes... it's only going to get worse....and more frustrating.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

redpat — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:29:24 GMT

CC costs are mostly baked into the prices of the products or menu.

For as long as I can remember this started at the gas pump, cash vs cc price.

For those who say they get 5% cashback on gas, it really isn't so if you are paying 5 - 10 cent more per gallon using a card, 18 gallons x $3.50 = $63 and cash price is $3.40 is $61.20 the difference is $1.95 or really 3% cashback, if it's 3% CB you are even.....

It's always, buyer beware out there.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

JoeRockhead — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:52:19 GMT

I understand why people react to this. I'm a business owner and I also don't agree with the practice. But to propose a question, doesn't it come down to how the cost is presented rather than the cost itself?

If prices were simply raised across the board to compensate for merchant fees along with everything else considered in the cost of doing business, would people even notice? The end result would be the same. The only difference is that when it’s broken out as a separate line item, it’s more visible and that naturally draws attention, and people are upset about it.

Merchants have always tried to recover the cost of accepting cards one way or another. This just makes that cost explicit rather than implicit.

That said, clear disclosure matters. When customers know what to expect upfront, there’s a lot less frustration. Unfortunately many businesses don't go out of their way to to be ultra transparent, but rather satisfy the minimum requirements for disclosure as deemed "sufficient" by their state laws.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

Vinjints — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:10:05 GMT

Discounts for using self-checkout. That is something I can definitely get behind.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

Tdatb64 — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:20:38 GMT

I was particularly miffed when I went to pay my storage bill online last month and found they'd instituted a 2.1% credit card fee. I suppose I could pay with my debit card but I just got a Huntington Bank Cash Back card that gives 3% CB on everything the first year and .9% is still better than nothing, I guess...

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

dfwxjer — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:08:09 GMT

Convenience fees and surcharging are one of the top merchant topics these days.

In theory there are pretty firm guidelines from the Payment brands but more and more merchants are just implementing these fees with little regard for following the rules.

I'm with the OP in that I won't re-visit a restaurant that adds hidden fees, or runs the card for more than agreed upon. I also don't visit coffee shops, or any counter service place that expects tips for doing their job. It just makes my life easier.

Funny enough, my FFL and my local liquor store both offer a 5% discount for using cash or debit which I am fine with because they're upfront about the difference.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

redpat — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:26:14 GMT

@dfwxjer wrote:
Convenience fees and surcharging are one of the top merchant topics these days.

In theory there are pretty firm guidelines from the Payment brands but more and more merchants are just implementing these fees with little regard for following the rules.

I'm with the OP in that I won't re-visit a restaurant that adds hidden fees, or runs the card for more than agreed upon. I also don't visit coffee shops, or any counter service place that expects tips for doing their job. It just makes my life easier.

Funny enough, my FFL and my local liquor store both offer a 5% discount for using cash or debit which I am fine with because they're upfront about the difference.

The days of covid tipping are long gone. When they turn the screen to me for a tip I happily tap "No Tip". I have been there many times for coffee and now they don't turn the screen anymore.

Don't be bullied into tipping.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

AndySoCal — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:53:54 GMT

The link below gives an idea of the costs of a credit card

https://www.fool.com/money/research/average-credit-card-processing-fees-costs-america/

As long as the merchant or provider clearly state their policies I am fine with that. Family owned businesses or providers I am fine paying the fee if charged.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

crystal626 — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 17:49:25 GMT

We decided to go to a new restaurant for Valentine's Day... Sat down, ordered our drinks, started eating our chips and salsa... Just to see a 3.85% "non-cash adjustment" in the back of the menu. We asked about it and they said they would charge this even if we used a debit card! Needless to say we won't be back and this is actually illegal here as our state bans charging surcharges on debit cards (they call it a cash discount on the menu but a cash discount would be putting higher prices on the menu and then discounting at checkout, this is definitely an illegal surcharge) so I really should report them.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

dfwxjer — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:08:42 GMT

@redpat wrote:
@dfwxjer wrote:
Convenience fees and surcharging are one of the top merchant topics these days.

In theory there are pretty firm guidelines from the Payment brands but more and more merchants are just implementing these fees with little regard for following the rules.

I'm with the OP in that I won't re-visit a restaurant that adds hidden fees, or runs the card for more than agreed upon. I also don't visit coffee shops, or any counter service place that expects tips for doing their job. It just makes my life easier.

Funny enough, my FFL and my local liquor store both offer a 5% discount for using cash or debit which I am fine with because they're upfront about the difference.
The days of covid tipping are long gone. When they turn the screen to me for a tip I happily tap "No Tip". I have been there many times for coffee and now they don't turn the screen anymore.

Don't be bullied into tipping.

Agreed, I don't tip counter service, period. I've just taken it a step further and cut out those places entirely. I prefer my coffee from home anyway and spending 33 cents per cup at home will beat any rewards earning.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

GZG — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:18:05 GMT

@unsungivy wrote:

Thoughts? Anyone else starting to get irate at this shadiness, especially the growing prevalence?

I just don't go back to those places.

if I liked them, I leave a review say why I'm not coming back.

1000% prefer the cc fee baked into the price of stuff compared to the fee added on after. dunno if I'm supposed to treat them the same, but I absoutely do not.

same with a diner I used to frequent and they stopped taking amex. I stopped going there. nothing personal.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

CreditCuriosity — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 20:38:38 GMT

Transparency and integrity means a ton to me. Honestly I rather just have it baked into the price for everyone to be honest whether cash or credit. Don't put small print somewhere on the menu or whatever as it really is a PITA and likely I will never notice or see as I got to pay the bill is how I see it. With that said just be transparent and the menu little small print can be unseen very easily and sure i have paid it gosh knows how many times.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

ptatohed — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:34:01 GMT

I remember decades ago in my early 20s I bought something from a gas station convenient store and paid with a credit card. The cashier gave me the slip to sign and I saw a 25c charge. I asked him what that was and he said 'Because you paid with a credit card'. I glared at him and I said 'You should have told me'. He could tell I was very upset. He kinda threw his hands up into the air as if "to surrender" and he said "Wo, wo, ok................" and he reached into the register and handed me a quarter. And that was over only 25 cents! lol

As for 3% at sit-down restaurants, it kills me. In both my last two experiences, I didn't notice it until after I ordered and received the check. It's probably advertised somewhere in a window or fine print on the menu but I didn't see it. I told myself I'm getting more cash back than the 3% fee and paid it but made a mental note not to go back.

I don't think I've seen it at national chains but the two places that got me recently - Richie's Diner, and Tom's Mega Burger - aren't exactly small or one-location stores.

The city I live in offered a 100% money match for buying loaded Master Cards (ex. buy a $100, get another $100) (100% Cash Back??) and they provide a list of establishments in the city that accept these MCs. I still have some of these cards left and, unfortunately, Richie's and Tom's are on the list so I may need to go back just to help use up these MCs. But no more after that! LOL

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

redpat — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 23:13:12 GMT

Well some can adjust the tip accordingly since $24k of tips are no longer taxable, then we all can benefit......Pass the cost along,

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

FicoMike0 — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:30:30 GMT

I haven't seen much of this. The Honda stealership charges for credit, but not debit. The no name place that replaced my windshield for half the price of anyone else wanted cash. For the price, I didn't mind, the county charges to use credit to pay taxes. There are a few gas stations that offer a cash discount. I haven't seen any restaurants or stores that have a surcharge.

I'm not likely to go elsewhere over it. The cinema and barber I go to don't take amex, but I like them and they take other cards. Costco only does visa and I have visa.

Maybe it's because I'm old, but I've never used anything but cash for booze, guns or ammo. Those items also go directly into my trunk to.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

unsungivy — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:40:12 GMT

I knew this would hit a nerve here, lol.

I did write a review of the place that this happened at recently, and I won't be back. But at least I hopefully made it more obvious for others who might consider going there.

Yeah, I may take it out of the tip next time if the waiter/waitress doesn't say something like "you ok with the extra 3% to run this"? It's not their fault that the business has the rule, but good customer service would look out for me and make sure I was aware.

I definitely feel businesses should be setting this prices with this cost in mind, not tacking it on after. If I was voting amongst business owners I'd say raise your prices slightly to cover it across the board, don't try to force people to go backwards to actually using cash. (Cash is dirty. Not just COVID era, I'm talking ewwww handling other people's cash is why I got warts in college from working a cash register.) It does seem like most people around here strongly prefer it being baked in, price wise, as well.

I'm aware that gas stations usually do the "cash/debit" discount, rather than an additional fee for CC, which I'm ok with. I thought that that was actually the way it was supposed to be, legally, but now we're seeing a lot of the reverse.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

redpat — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:01:10 GMT

TBH, I have cut my tips on dining about 3% (20% to 17%) since there is no tax on their tips and I spend about between $30k - $35k on business and personal dining, I thought I could give myself part of the tax break.....Thank you BBB!!!

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

bs1234 — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:22:13 GMT

@GZG wrote:

1000% prefer the cc fee baked into the price of stuff compared to the fee added on after. dunno if I'm supposed to treat them the same, but I absoutely do not.

But that's a little first world/entitled etc view! Some of the most needy don't have credit cards and I'm sure they would prefer the unbaked price so they are not paying for our rewards! Sure, establishments should be clearly upfront "3% will be added to your bill if you use a credit card" or whatever so you can make an informed decision (including not to go there) but wanting prices to rise for everyone is just unfair.

Re: Businesses charging 3% for using a CC

dfwxjer — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:51:22 GMT

@redpat wrote:
TBH, I have cut my tips on dining about 3% (20% to 17%) since there is no tax on their tips and I spend about between $30k - $35k on business and personal dining, I thought I could give myself part of the tax break.....Thank you BBB!!!

I didn't think about that, but great point. I wasn't quite as prolific, but I hit $22,871 in 2025 for personal dining on my CSR and wouldn't mind cutting that down a bit...