Surcharging
Maximize Margins with a Fully Compliant Strategy
Redbridge helps enterprise merchants implement, monitor, and refine surcharge programs as well as convenience fees and services fees, where applicable, that increase revenue, reduce costs, and remain compliant with regulations and card network rules.
Trusted By 500+ Companies Worldwide
Bring Clarity and Compliance
Surcharging Is a Powerful, Highly Regulated Strategy
Surcharging programs are often underutilized or implemented incorrectly. Regulations vary by region and card networks impose strict requirements. Poor communication can damage customer experience, and poorly executed programs create a negative environment for all merchants. Redbridge brings clarity and compliance to every part of the payment process, ensuring any fee recoupment strategies recover costs without creating new risks.
Regulatory Confidence
Meet all state, federal, and card network requirements.
Revenue Protection
Offset card acceptance costs and improve margins.
Customer Trust
Maintain transparency and avoid conversion losses.
Designed. Launched. Monitored.
Surcharging Solutions From Independent Advisors With Global Experience
Compliant Program Design
Launch a Program That Protects Revenue and Avoids Regulatory Risk
Regulatory Compliance
Operate within U.S. and Canadian merchant requirements with confidence and adapt programs as rules and card network policies evolve.
Program Messaging
Use messaging that ensures customer understanding.
Card Network Alignment
Manage card network registration, state-level regulations, and setup requirements including proper documentation for convenience fee and service fee models where surcharging is restricted.
Alternative Payment Strategies
Encourage Low-Cost Payment Choices Without Creating Confusion
Payment Options
Promote debit, ACH, and other cost-effective methods.
Customer Empowerment
Let customers choose while guiding them to lower-cost options.
Checkout Optimization
Ensure seamless checkout flows that effectively integrate surcharges and clearly differentiate between surcharges, convenience fees, and service fees so customers know what to expect.
IMPACT & RECOVERY
Recover Acceptance Fees and Track Results With Precision
Cost Modeling
Identify where surcharging will make an impact and compare convenience or service fee models to select the best strategy.
Strategic Application
Apply surcharges only to eligible credit transactions.
Performance Tracking
Monitor savings with detailed reporting and insights.
Payment Method Management
Maximize Net Revenue by Influencing Payment Behavior
Preferred Behavior
Drive use of your lowest-cost options.
Holistic Strategy
Build a payment acceptance mix that balances cost savings and customer experience.
Partnership Alignment
Ensure acquirers and gateway partners are prepared to support hybrid models that include surcharging, convenience fees, and service fees depending on the transaction type.
CASE STUDIES
Real Payments Teams, Unreal Results
Whether you’re supporting a small team or managing complex cross-functional projects, Redbridge helps Treasurers, CFOs, and Payment Leaders of all types deliver consistently.
“Redbridge was instrumental in helping us increase transparency over our payment acceptance program.”
Arnaud Caurraze
Director Group Treasury
“Redbridge enabled us to identify opportunities and improve the terms on our AMEX card acquiring volumes.”
Frédéric Darche
Head of Treasury
“Redbridge enabled us to obtain better pricing and helped us clearly understand our current and future costs.”
Jean-Christophe Sautereau
Group Treasury & Financing Director
“Redbridge’s unique market knowledge enabled us to make the most of each bank and achieve our objectives.”
Anna Wagensberg
Head of Accounting & Taxes
RESOURCES
Featured Surcharging Resources
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions About Surcharging
This section answers the most common questions the Redbridge team hears about surcharging, convenience fees, and service fees. Click on any question below to read the full response.
Will surcharging hurt customer experience?
This is the most common concern for finance leaders. When properly implemented and clearly communicated, surcharging has little impact on customer conversion. Redbridge programs are designed to maintain compliance, transparency, and trust while delivering measurable cost recovery and can be adapted to alternative recovery models if surcharging is not permitted in your industry or location.
What is the difference between a surcharge, a convenience fee, and a service fee?
A surcharge is an additional fee applied to credit card transactions to offset card acceptance costs. A convenience fee is a charge for using an alternative payment channel, such as paying by phone or online instead of in person. A service fee is typically a flat charge added by certain industries, such as education or government, where surcharges may be restricted. Each fee type has unique regulatory and card network requirements.
Are surcharges on credit card transactions legal?
Yes, but they are heavily regulated. In the U.S., surcharges are permitted in most states but must comply with card network rules, disclosure requirements, and caps (typically no more than 3%). Some states restrict surcharging altogether. Canada allows surcharges under specific conditions. Redbridge helps merchants design compliant programs tailored to each jurisdiction.
Can I add surcharges to debit card transactions?
No. Surcharges are only permitted on eligible credit card transactions. Debit and prepaid cards are excluded under both U.S. law and card network rules. Attempting to surcharge debit cards can result in non-compliance penalties and customer disputes.
How much revenue can surcharging programs recover?
Recovery varies based on transaction mix, but enterprises often offset 70–90% of credit card processing fees with compliant surcharge programs. For high-volume merchants, this can translate into millions in recurring annual savings.
How does Redbridge help with surcharge and fee programs?
Redbridge provides independent advisory services that cover program design, regulatory compliance, card network registration, customer communication, and ongoing monitoring. Our data-driven approach ensures merchants recover acceptance costs while protecting customer experience and avoiding compliance risk.
Optimize Your Surcharging Program Today
Discover where you can recover costs, ensure regulatory alignment, and protect customer trust.