How do I Calculate Fees with Interchange plus Pricing?
To calculate fees using the interchange plus pricing model, you must combine three distinct components for every transaction: the base interchange rate, card network assessments, and the processor’s markup.
Follow these steps to perform the calculation:
- Determine the Interchange Rate: This is the percentage set by card networks (like Visa or Mastercard) based on the card type and transaction method. For example, a restaurant credit card transaction often has a rate of 2.2%.
- Add Network Assessments: These are small fixed fees charged by the card associations, typically averaging around $0.10 to $0.21 per transaction.
- Apply the Processor Markup: This is the fixed fee added by your service provider. At The POS Brokers, this is typically a small percentage (such as 0.20%) plus a consistent per-transaction fee (such as $0.10).
Example Calculation for a $100 Restaurant Credit Transaction:
- Interchange (2.2%): $2.20
- Assessments: $0.10
- Processor Markup (0.20% + $0.10): $0.30
- Total Fee: $2.60
This model is considered highly transparent because it itemizes each cost, allowing businesses to see exactly what they are paying rather than charging a single bundled rate.
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