Credit card surcharge

[aclov]

DH and I went to dinner at Hofbräuhaus a German restaurant and we were going to pay with a credit card but the server said they add a 2.5% surcharge. I never heard of this before. She said some places are adding it but don't tell the customer. We paid with a debit card instead which did not have the surcharge. Anyone else heard of this?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Heard of it. It's prohibited by the credit card companies. They can offer a discount for cash but not charge a surcharge for credit. It's a cost of doing business.

 

[tar heel]

Heard of it. It's prohibited by the credit card companies. They can offer a discount for cash but not charge a surcharge for credit. It's a cost of doing business.

That is no longer true. It has been legal to charge extra for almost a year. I'm just starting to see it a lot, though. I paid cash for gas last weekend when I realized I was going to pay extra for credit.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/credit-card-fees-effect-sunday/story?id=18316310

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I travel and only use Capital one credit card because they don't charge a foreign transaction fee or other charges while traveling abroad.

Many place do want to add a service fee for using a credit card in the USA and also in Europe. I am lucky to get places to take my credit card that slides rather than having a chip.

 

[supersnoop]

There are 10 states where it's actually against the law to add a surcharge for using a credit card. I don't know All of them, but Texas is one. Some places get around it by giving a discount for cash.

 

[JanaDee]

There are 10 states where it's actually against the law to add a surcharge for using a credit card. I don't know All of them, but Texas is one. Some places get around it by giving a discount for cash.

http://usa.visa.com/personal/using_visa/checkout_fees/

 

[starwood]

They've been doing this at gas stations in NJ for years. They call it a cash discount but it's really a credit card surcharge.

 

[disney1990]

Yes, it is legal, although some states have outlawed it. The establishment must have it posted that they are adding a surcharge.

 

[disneychrista]

Question is where do you report those that are doing it illegally?

A gas station near Disneyland said they didn't accept credit cards until I started walking out the door, then all of a sudden they could do it but for 10¢ more per gallon.

 

[supersnoop]

The link JanaDee posted has links to report violations to the states' attorneys general.

 

[tvguy]

No surcharge, but the mini-mart near me has a $10 minimum for credit card purchases.