What are the rules and regulations for Cash Discount?

To be compliant with card brand guidelines and provide transparent customer experience, merchants enrolled in a Cash Discount program must follow the requirements below:

• Display the standard price: all pricing displayed on shelves or menus must reflect the standard price, which includes the cost of credit card processing. This ensures consistency and avoids confusion at checkout.
• Avoid credit-specific labels: you may not label pricing as ‘credit price’, ‘credit/debit price’, or anything that specifically identifies card payments. Only the standard price should be shown, with the cash discount applied at checkout.
• Post cash discount signage: signs must be displayed at both the point of entry and point of sale to notify customers that a discount is available for paying with cash or debit.  
• Use approved wording on custom signage: you may use custom signs as long as the language matches Paysafe’s compliance example. The goal is to clearly disclose the program in a way that meets industry standards.
• Recommended discount limits: while card brands do not set a strict limit on how much you can discount it’s best practice to keep the discount within 3%. Higher amounts may increase the chance of cardholder complaints and scrutiny from the card brands.

Some payment terminals may have limits on the amount that can be programmed for cash discounts, with some capped at 9.99%. Be sure to verify your equipment’s capabilities when setting up the program.

By following these rules, you ensure transparency for your customers and maintain full compliance with card brand regulations.