Simpay’s Surcharging Program
A surcharging program is a way to virtually eliminate your monthly credit card fees by passing a small, transparent surcharge fee, capped at 3%, to customers who choose to pay with credit. Accepting credit cards is part of doing business, but Simpay’s surcharging program lets you offset those costs at checkout, available in 48 states for Card Present and Card Not Present transactions.
How Credit Card Surcharge Works
Simpay’s surcharging program allows you to add a small percentage at checkout when a customer pays with a credit card.
Surcharging can be added to Card Present (CP) and Card Not Present (CNP) transactions, which means your in-store and online customers can pay the surcharge.
Certain restrictions apply to debit, pre-paid, and EBT transactions and surcharging is only available in 48 states.
Advantages of Surcharging Payments
Add a surcharge on card payments to offset a significant portion of your credit card processing fees, resulting in a much lower processing statement.
- Your savings are clear & transparent
- Savings can be used to offset employee benefits
- Invest cost reductions into marketing your business
Process Every Transaction Safely & Securely
- Process all payment types
- Feature point-to-point encryption for increased data security
- Meet the highest PCI_DSS compliance requirements
Grow Smarter with Simpay Select Plus
Simpay’s surcharging program is just one way to reduce your credit card processing costs. If you’re looking for more control, Simpay Select Plus gives you flexible pricing models, surcharging, traditional, or dual pricing, so you can choose what fits your business best. It’s a straightforward way to manage fees, stay compliant, and keep more of what you earn.
Why Businesses Choose Simpay for Surcharging
Simpay makes it easy for businesses to implement compliant surcharge for credit card payments while reducing payment processing costs. Our transparent approach, seamless payment technology, and dedicated support help you recover eligible processing fees without disrupting the customer experience. With simple setup, clear pricing, and guidance on surcharge rules, you can protect your margins while continuing to offer convenient payment options.
Solutions for Any Industry
Whether you’re saving lives in the healthcare industry or feeding your community at your locally owned restaurant, we offer comprehensive payment processing programs for the following industries:
FAQs About Our Surcharging Program
What is a credit card surcharge program?
A credit card surcharge program allows a merchant to pass on the cost of credit card processing to the customer by adding a small surcharge fee to credit card transactions. This fee helps offset the merchant’s credit card processing fees, making payment acceptance more sustainable.
How does surcharging work?
Surcharging works by applying a clearly disclosed surcharging fee, typically a percentage, to credit card payments at the time of sale. The surcharge amount appears separately on the receipt. This process can be applied in card-present or card-not-present environments, including online surcharge payments, virtual terminals, and gateways.
Is surcharging legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, surcharging credit card transactions is legal in Pennsylvania. Merchants in PA can add a surcharge fee to credit card payments to help offset processing costs—as long as they follow the rules set by major card brands (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) and provide required cardholder disclosures.
Keep in mind:
- Surcharges cannot be applied to debit or prepaid card transactions
- The surcharge amount must be clearly displayed before payment and on the receipt
- Surcharge fees are typically capped at 3%
What disclosures must merchants provide to cardholders?
Before implementing a credit card surcharge, merchants must:
- Notify card brands (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) 30 days in advance
- Display surcharge disclosure signage at the point of entry and sale
- Clearly itemize the surcharge amount on the receipt
- Limit surcharge fees to the cost of acceptance (capped at 3% by most networks)
Which card types support merchant surcharge programs?
Merchant surcharge programs apply a surcharge on credit card transactions only. Debit cards, even when processed as credit, and prepaid cards are not eligible for surcharges under current card network regulations.
Should the surcharge amount be submitted for offline transactions?
Yes. If a transaction is completed in offline mode (e.g., backup terminal or offline virtual terminal), the surcharge amount should still be recorded and reported with the transaction once reconnected. This ensures compliance and transparency.
What industry types support merchant surcharging?
Industries commonly using surcharge programs include:
- Retail (in-store and online)
- Restaurants and QSRs
- Auto repair shops
- Professional services (legal, accounting, etc.)
- Healthcare and wellness providers
Simpay supports surcharge processing across both card-present and card-not-present platforms, including virtual terminals, POS systems, and online payment gateways.
Is surcharging right for your business?
Surcharging can be a powerful way to reduce processing costs, especially for small to mid-sized businesses with thin margins. If your customers primarily use credit cards and you operate in a state where surcharging is permitted, a surcharging program can help protect profitability without increasing your listed prices.