Dual pricing, discounts, and surcharges
What is dual pricing?
Direct answer
Dual pricing presents two clearly disclosed prices: a price for card payment and a lower price for cash payment. The customer sees the applicable prices before choosing how to pay. A compliant implementation depends on actual pricing, signage, receipts, debit handling, network and processor requirements, and applicable law—not merely the program’s label or the capability of a POS system.
- Author
- AMP Payment Systems
- Review status
- Primary sources checked; no named AMP subject-matter reviewer is claimed.
- Published
- Modified
Key facts
- Both prices should be clear before payment.
- Checkout behavior matters more than terminology.
- Debit, prepaid, tax, and receipt handling require review.
How the customer experience should work
Menus, shelves, estimates, or displays must communicate prices in a way customers can understand before tender selection. The receipt should match the transaction and applicable program design.
Operational preparation
Merchants should confirm POS configuration, employee explanations, refunds, tips, online ordering, invoicing, and mixed-tender behavior. Current legal and provider guidance is necessary.
When the answer changes
- State law and card-network requirements can change.
- Restaurants, fuel, invoicing, and ecommerce may need different display methods.
Common mistakes
- Posting one price and adding an undisclosed fee at checkout.
- Assuming a software setting establishes compliance.
What to verify
- Review signage, menu, receipt, debit, refund, and tip flows.
- Get current program terms and qualified legal guidance where needed.
Primary sources
Apply the answer to your business
AMP can help organize your payment, POS, or statement questions. Any recommendation, availability, pricing, or approval depends on the final written configuration and provider terms.
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