FEE RECOVERY PROGRAMS
Dual Pricing & Surcharging
Reduced Processing Costs & Fee Recovery.
The Right Way.
Dual pricing and surcharging are two different approaches to the same goal: reducing or eliminating what your business pays to accept cards. Monument evaluates your operation and recommends the program that fits your business, your customers, and your state's regulations.
ETA Certified Payment Professional
Serving Businesses Since 2014
500+ Merchants Served
PCI DSS Compliant
UNDERSTANDING FEE RECOVERY
Most Business Owners Are Not Looking for a Pricing Strategy
They are looking for ways to reduce expenses and improve profitability. Fee recovery programs are the mechanism. Dual pricing and surcharging are two different implementations of the same underlying goal. The right approach depends on your business type, transaction mix, customer base, and the state you operate in. Monument evaluates all of these factors before making a recommendation.
The Two Approaches
Dual Pricing vs. Surcharging
Two different methods of recovering card processing costs. Monument determines which one fits your operation.
Dual Pricing
Display two prices: one for cash, one for card
- Two prices shown at the point of sale: a cash price and a card price
- No surcharge added at checkout. The card price is simply higher.
- Works for retail environments where shelf or menu pricing is practical
- Requires POS software that supports dual price display
- Customers choose their preferred payment method with full transparency
- Compliant in most states when implemented correctly
Best for: retail stores, c-stores, smoke shops, liquor stores
Surcharges
Add a fee to credit card transactions at checkout
- A percentage-based fee is added to credit card transactions at checkout
- Debit card transactions are always exempt from surcharging
- Requires 30-day advance notification to Visa and Mastercard
- Surcharge must appear as a separate line item on the receipt
- Capped at 3% or your actual cost of acceptance, whichever is lower
- Prohibited in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico
Best for: service businesses, healthcare, B2B, professional services
What Compliance Requires
Implementation Requirements
Both programs carry compliance obligations. Monument handles all of these on your behalf.
State Compliance Review
Regulations vary by state. Some states prohibit surcharging entirely. Others have specific signage, disclosure, and receipt requirements for both programs. Monument reviews your state before recommending any approach.
Clear Signage and Disclosure
Both programs require visible disclosure at the entrance and point of sale. Customers must be informed of the pricing structure before completing a transaction. Monument provides signage guidance and templates.
Credit vs. Debit Identification
Surcharging applies only to credit cards. Dual pricing applies to all card types. Your POS or terminal must correctly identify card type and apply the appropriate pricing. Monument configures this correctly.
Rate Caps and Calculations
Surcharges cannot exceed 3% or your actual cost of acceptance. Dual pricing card rates must reflect your actual processing cost. Monument calculates your effective rate and sets compliant pricing.
Processor Notification
Surcharging requires 30-day advance notification to Visa and Mastercard through your processor. Monument handles this notification process on your behalf before implementation begins.
POS System Compatibility
Not every POS supports dual pricing or surcharging natively. Monument evaluates your current system and determines whether the program can be added or whether a system change is needed.
THE PROCESS
How Monument Implements Fee Recovery
01
State Regulatory Review
Monument reviews the fee recovery regulations in your state before recommending any approach. Requirements for signage, receipt formatting, and price display vary. Monument confirms compliance before a single setting is changed.
02
Program Selection
We evaluate your business type, transaction mix, customer base, and POS system to determine whether dual pricing, surcharging, or a combination is the right approach for your operation.
03
POS System Evaluation
Not every POS supports fee recovery programs natively. We evaluate your current system and determine whether the program can be added or whether a system change is needed. If a change is needed, we handle the full transition.
04
Configuration and Signage
We configure the POS to automatically calculate and display the correct pricing. We also provide signage guidance and templates for your entrance, point of sale, and any displayed pricing.
05
Staff Training
We train your staff on how to explain the program to customers, handle questions, and process transactions correctly. Clear communication at the counter is the single biggest factor in customer acceptance.
06
Go-Live and Ongoing Support
After implementation, Monument monitors the setup to ensure it is working correctly. We remain available for questions, adjustments, and regulatory updates as the landscape evolves.
SIDE BY SIDE
Dual Pricing vs. Surcharging
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences. Monument determines which approach fits your operation.
| Factor | Dual Pricing | Surcharging |
|---|---|---|
| Applies to | All card types (cash vs. card) | Credit cards only |
| How it works | Two prices displayed: cash and card | Fee added at checkout for credit cards |
| Debit cards | Card price applies | Exempt. No surcharge added. |
| Receipt | Shows card price paid | Surcharge shown as separate line item |
| Signage required | Wherever prices are listed | Yes, at entrance and point of sale |
| Processor notification | Not required | 30-day advance notice to Visa and Mastercard (Monument will take care of this on the behalf of your business) |
| State restrictions | Permitted in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands | Prohibited in CT, MA, Puerto Rico |
The Monument Difference
What Sets Monument Apart
Compliance First
Monument reviews your state's regulations before recommending any program. We do not implement fee recovery programs in states where they are prohibited or restricted.
No Assumptions
We evaluate your business before recommending dual pricing or surcharging. The right program depends on your transaction mix, customer base, and POS system. Not a default recommendation.
Accurate Rate Calculations
We calculate your effective processing rate and set your fee recovery program at the correct level. You recover your actual cost without overcharging customers.
Ongoing Support
Monument remains available after implementation. If regulations change, your business changes, or you have questions, we are accessible. Not a call center.
Not Sure Which Program Is Right for You?
Monument evaluates your business, your transaction mix, and your state's regulations before recommending any fee recovery approach. No pressure. No assumptions.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about how Monument works, what solutions fit your business, and what to expect from the process.
Still have questions?
Monument is happy to walk through your specific situation on a call.
What is the difference between dual pricing and surcharging?
Dual pricing shows two prices at the point of sale: a lower cash price and a higher card price. Customers see both prices before they decide how to pay. Surcharging adds a fee to credit card transactions at checkout. The base price is the same for everyone, but credit card customers pay an additional percentage. Monument evaluates which approach fits your business before recommending either.
Are fee recovery programs legal in my state?
Surcharging is prohibited in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico. Dual pricing is permitted in most states but has specific signage and disclosure requirements that vary by jurisdiction. Monument reviews your state's regulations before recommending any program. We do not implement fee recovery programs in states where they are prohibited or restricted.
Can I implement a fee recovery program on my current POS system?
It depends on your system. Some POS platforms support dual pricing or surcharging natively. Others require an app integration or configuration change. Some do not support these programs at all. Monument evaluates your current system and advises whether the program can be added or whether a system change is needed. If a change is needed, we handle the full transition.
Can I keep my current payment processor if I switch POS systems?
In some cases, yes. It depends on the POS system and your current processor. Some systems are processor-agnostic, while others work with specific processors. Monument evaluates this during the consultation and advises on the best path.
Will customers push back on fee recovery programs?
Customer acceptance depends heavily on how the program is communicated. Clear signage, transparent pricing, and well-trained staff make a significant difference. Monument provides signage guidance and trains your staff on how to explain the program. Many businesses find that customers who prefer to avoid the fee simply pay with cash or debit, and overall customer satisfaction remains stable.
How much can I save with a fee recovery program?
Savings depend on your transaction volume, average ticket size, and current processing rates. For a business processing $50,000 per month at a 2.5% effective rate, that is $1,250 per month in processing costs. A well-implemented fee recovery program can offset most or all of that. Monument calculates your potential savings during the evaluation process.
Does surcharging apply to debit cards?
No. Surcharging applies only to credit card transactions. Debit card transactions, both PIN and signature, are exempt from surcharging under card network rules. Your POS or terminal must correctly identify card type and apply the surcharge only to credit cards. Monument configures this correctly during implementation.
What is the 30-day notification requirement for surcharging?
Before implementing surcharging, you are required to notify Visa and Mastercard through your payment processor at least 30 days in advance. This is a card network compliance requirement. Monument handles this notification process on your behalf so that your implementation timeline is correct and compliant.
What happens if a state changes its fee recovery laws?
If regulations change, your implementation needs to change with them. Monument monitors the regulatory landscape and advises clients if changes affect their fee recovery setup. Because we do not lock you into long-term contracts, you have the flexibility to adjust your approach if the regulatory environment shifts.
