Mastercard Consumer Interchange
Mastercard allows issuance of two distinct card types – Consumer and Business. Depending on your customer demographics, most card-present or “retail” merchants will receive predominantly Consumer cards. Read on to see what types of consumer cards you can expect to receive.
Mastercard Consumer Credit Cards
Mastercard offers many different types of credit cards to consumers. Each of these cards have varying “perks” or “rewards” that the customer receives. Different banks will issue different types of cards to their customers, and each card costs the issuing bank money to issue, support, etc – they’re reimbursed for this cost via interchange fees. As the merchant, you’ll pay the associated interchange fee, based on the card you’re presented. And, you’ll never know exactly what type of card is being presented. So there’s no way to be 100% sure what interchange rate you’ll pay until you process the card. Below are the common rate categories for Mastercard Consumer Credit cards. You can read about business card interchange rates here, and you’ll see a separate table for Debit cards further down the page, as they have a different rate structure.
Card your customer uses –>(you can’t control this at all!) |
Core Value |
Enh. Value |
World Card |
World Elite |
What rate do I pay?The below rates are based on your business type and acceptance method – click each one to learn more. |
Best Rates | Better Rates | Bad Rates | Worst Rates |
RETAILIN-PERSON TRANSACTIONS |
1.58% + $0.10 | 1.73% + $0.10 | 1.77% + $0.10 | 2.20% + $0.10 |
SMALL TICKETUNDER $15 |
1.90% + $0.00 | 2.00% + $0.00 | ||
RESTAURANTIN-PERSON RESTAURANT |
1.73% + $0.10 | 2.20% + $0.10 | ||
CARD-NOT-PRESENTE-COMMERCE AND KEYED SALES |
1.89% + $0.10 | 2.04% + $0.10 | 2.05% + $0.10 | 2.50% + $0.10 |
CHARITYCHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS |
2.00% + $0.10 | |||
SUPERMARKETGROCERY STORES |
1.48% + $0.10 | 1.58% + $0.10 | 1.90% + $0.10 | |
HOTEL/CAR RENTALLODGING/RENTAL MERCHANTS |
1.58% + $0.10 | 1.80% + $0.10 | 2.30% + $0.10 | 2.75% + $0.10 |
STANDARDEXPIRED AUTHORIZATIONS |
2.95% + $0.10 | 3.25% + $0.10 |
What about Debit?
Mastercard Consumer Debit
Debit cards are easier to understand, as there’s only two types. You either have a Regulated debit card or an Exempt (non-regulated) debit card. The term “Regulated” refers to any bank that has over $10 billion dollars in assets. Basically – if the debit card was issued by a “big bank” it will ALWAYS be a “Regulated” debit card. Any debit card you accept from Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, Chase, etc. – no matter how big/small the sale, and no matter how you accept the card – you’ll always pay the same regulated debit card rate of 0.05% and $0.22/transaction.
Card your customer uses –>(you can’t control this at all!) |
Regulated Debit(big-bank card) |
Exempt Debit(credit-union card) |
What rate do I pay?The below rates are based on your business type and acceptance method – click each one to learn more. |
Best Rates | Worst Rates |
RETAILIN-PERSON TRANSACTIONS |
0.05% + $0.22 | 1.05% + $0.15 |
CHARITYREGISTERED SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS |
0.05% + $0.22 | 1.45% + $0.15 |
SMALL TICKETUNDER $15 |
0.05% + $0.22 | 1.55% + $0.04 |
RESTAURANTIN-PERSON RESTAURANT |
0.05% + $0.22 | 1.19% + $0.10 |
CARD-NOT-PRESENTE-COMMERCE AND KEYED SALES |
0.05% + $0.22 | 1.60% + $0.10 |
UTILITYPOWER/GAS/WATER |
0.05% + $0.22 | $0.45 |
EMERGING MARKETSSCHOOLS/GOV’T/INSURANCE |
0.05% + $0.22 | 0.65% + $0.15 ($2.00 cap) |
SUPERMARKETGROCERY STORES |
0.05% + $0.22 | 1.05% + $0.15 ($0.35 cap) |
HOTEL/CAR RENTALLODGING/RENTAL MERCHANTS |
0.05% + $0.22 | 1.15% + $0.15 |
STANDARDEXPIRED AUTHORIZATIONS |
0.05% + $0.22 | 1.90% + $0.25 |
What’s with all the jargon?
You’re probably wondering what all of the above categories mean. Mastercard sets rates for merchants based on what type of business they are, and in addition, how they accept credit cards. There are a lot of potential rates. To view details about each category, click into the category name within the above charts. You’ll see what merchants qualify, what the specific criteria are, and how the sale downgrades if you don’t meet qualifications.