Merchant resources
Interchange-plus pricing explained
Interchange-plus separates underlying card costs from provider markup. Evaluate the complete agreement rather than treating the markup as the entire price.
What “plus” means
Interchange is generally paid to the issuer through the card system. Network fees may be listed separately. The provider adds its markup, which can include a percentage, a per-transaction amount and other account charges. Statements differ in how they present these components.
A hypothetical example—not a Liftoff quote
If a hypothetical $100 transaction has $1.80 in underlying interchange/network charges and $0.40 in provider charges, its transaction cost is $2.20 before any monthly or equipment charges. This illustrates the structure; it is not a processing rate or offer.
Compare against flat and tiered pricing
Flat pricing blends many transaction costs into a simpler advertised rate, but keyed or online transactions and other fees may differ. Tiered pricing places transactions in categories whose rules should be explained. No model is universally best for every business.
What to ask for in a quote
Request the markup, all per-item and recurring fees, minimums, gateway charges and terms. Ask how refunds, chargebacks, debit routing and PCI-related charges work. Compare several months if your business is seasonal.
Common merchant questions
Is interchange-plus always cheapest?
No. Total cost depends on volume, card mix, acceptance method, markup and other fees. Compare an actual quote against your statement.
Can interchange change?
Network schedules and qualification categories can change. Ask how adjustments appear in your agreement and statements.