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What Is Interchange Plus? An Easy-to-Understand Guide

Payment processing is – well let’s just face it – confusing. Surprisingly, many business owners don’t even know what type of pricing plan they’re on right now! We’re here to change that. Today’s blog is an important one. We’re going to explain what interchange plus pricing is why it’s considered one of the most transparent structures, as well as how you find an interchange plus program that complements your business. Let’s find out!

What Is Interchange Plus?

Interchange plus is a specific type of pricing plan that many payment processors offer. Here’s how it works:

Interchange Fees + Discount Fees = Interchange Plus

Interchange plus is actually made up of two main fees: interchange fees and discount fees. You pay a fee – an interchange percentage – every time your business conducts a transaction with a customer. Here’s a quick rundown of each of those components:
  • Interchange Fees – Set by Visa, Mastercard, and Discover; mandated fees that will fluctuate depending on the nature of the transaction (in-person vs over-the-phone, regular credit card vs business credit card, etc); fees are paid to issuing banks
  • Discount Fees (also called the Markup) – Set by the payment processor; this is the “plus” part of the “interchange plus” equation; this is the fee they choose to charge merchants for the volume they process; made up of a rate and a per item fee on top of interchange fees
Interchange fees should be the same regardless of which payment processor you choose, which means discount fees should be the only thing that differentiates one processor’s interchange plus pricing program from another. It’s important to note that the card companies – Visa, Mastercard, etc – change their interchange rates twice a year, so it’s always worth evaluating your payment processing plan. As mentioned above, card companies also determine the fees they charge on a transaction based on the details of that transaction, such as card presence and the type of card used.

How to Tell Good and Bad Programs Apart

Why is interchange considered the most transparent pricing structure? Because the bulk of these rates are set by the credit card companies, and the banks set rates from processor to processor so it’s relatively easy to see how much you are paying for your credit card processing. Compare that to other types of pricing like tiered or ERR pricing. The processor determines these pricing programs, and these programs can hide many surprises that you won’t expect to see on your statement. A processor could sell you on tiered pricing at a low rate, but little do you know that your transactions will rarely fall into that low-price bucket, so you’ll have to pay a premium to process most transactions.  Or, a processor could sell you on a flat-rate program (like Square), but realistically you’re paying way above the market average on EVERY transaction you process. At the end of the day, some processors charge a high markup to process credit cards; however, there are ways you can safeguard your business against falling victim to costly credit card processing fees. Use our shortcut formula below to calculate how much you SHOULD be paying to process credit cards.  

The Interchange Plus Shortcut

Now all you have to do is pick apart the good interchange plus programs from the bad ones. Usually, interchange rates are expressed in the form of a percentage fee and a flat transaction fee. Written out, it looks like this:  

Interchange Plus Rate = _______% + $_______

  So, for instance, 0.20% + $0.15. That means you’re paying a 0.20% rate on the volume processed plus an extra $0.15 per transaction fee. Cool trick: you can use this to forecast what you’d be spending in processing fees per month! Let’s say your average ticket is $10 and that, for the sake of this example, you process 200 transactions a month. The interchange plus rate being offered to you by a processor is 0.20% + $0.15 per transaction. How do you figure out you monthly processing costs under interchange? Here’s a quick shortcut:
  • Take the average ticket and multiply it by the total transaction amount to get your monthly processing total

$10 x 200 = $2000/month

  • Plug that monthly total into the percentage part of the interchange plus equation (first half of estimated interchange plus costs per month)

0.20%($2000)

0.0020 x $2000 = $4

  • Multiply the flat rate part of the interchange plus equation by your monthly processing volume to get your flat rate (second half of estimated interchange plus costs per month)

$0.15 x 200 = $30

  • Add the results from steps 3 and 4 together

$4 + $30= $34

So, per month, you’d pay an estimated $34 in discount fees under that processor. If you want a more accurate number, you can add up all your tickets for the previous month and then begin at step 2. Being able to forecast your potential savings? That’s huge. Take charge of your bottom line – use this shortcut to avoid paying more than you deserve to pay in processing fees.  

So…What Now?

On the hunt for a new payment processor? Trying to cut costs and maximize your revenue? Click here for a free merchant statement analysis, and see if you qualify for one of our low-cost programs.

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Effective Date: January 1, 2024

1. Scope

1.1. This Agreement applies to and governs Merchant’s access to and use of the Services, Hardware, and Professional Services ordered by Merchant under a Free Hardware and Software Order. The Services may include, but may not be limited to, (a) mobile and web applications for use by Merchant’s Employees and Customers to place orders and process Payments; (b) Point-of-sale hardware for use by Merchant’s Employees and Customers to place orders and process Payments; (c) processing of Payments and facilitating payment of Net Sales Proceeds to Merchant’s Bank Account; (d) providing Merchant with certain reporting on its sales and activities; and (e) working with Merchant with respect to any Customer inquiries related to Payments or placing orders, in each case under Merchant’s account with Quantum Electronic Payments.

2. Merchant Processing Agreement Requirement

2.1. Agreement. The merchant agrees to enter into a Merchant Processing Agreement with Quantum Electronic Payments LLC for a minimum of either 12 months or 24 months as defined by Section 2.2 and Section 2.3.

2.2. Free Smart Terminal Term. Merchants who Order a free Smart Terminal agree to enter into a Merchant Processing Agreement with Quantum Electronic Payments LLC for a minimum of 12-months.

2.3. Free Point-of-sale Station Term. Merchants who Order a free Point-of-sale station agree to enter into a Merchant Processing Agreement with Quantum Electronic Payments LLC for a minimum of 24-months.

2.4. Eligibility. The merchant is not eligible to receive free hardware or software until they have signed a Merchant Processing Agreement with Quantum Electronic Payments LLC.

3. Product List Requirement

3.1. Merchants subscribing to point-of-sale software agree to submit an accurate, up-to-date product list (i.e. menu) containing all product information, modifiers, and pricing to Quantum Electronic Payments LLC.

3.2. The merchant is not eligible to receive free hardware or software until they submit an accurate, up-to-date product list (i.e. menu) containing all product information, modifiers, and pricing to Quantum Electronic Payments LLC.

4. Hardware Ownership

4.1. Eligibility Requirements. The merchant takes ownership of hardware Ordered by the merchant after completion of the eligibility requirements as defined by Section 2.4 and Section 3.2. The specific hardware provided is subject to availability and may change at Quantum Electronic Payments LLC’s discretion.

5. Taxes and Shipping

5.1. Taxes. The Merchant agrees to pay the applicable taxes for the full retail value of all hardware Ordered by the Merchant.

5.2. Shipping. The Merchant agrees to pay the shipping costs of the hardware ordered by the Merchant.

6. Term and Termination

6.1. Merchant Processing Agreement Termination by Merchant. The merchant may terminate their Merchant Processing Agreement (Section 2) with Quantum Electronic Payments LLC at any time.

6.2. Termination by Quantum Electronic Payments LLC. The Merchant Processing Agreement (Section 2) may be terminated by Quantum Electronic Payments LLC at any time and at the sole discretion of Quantum Electronic Payments LLC.

6.3. Early Termination and Hardware Return. If the Merchant Processing Agreement is terminated by the Merchant or by Quantum Electronic Payments LLC prior to completion of the required term as defined by Section 2.2 and Section 2.3, the Merchant is required to pay Quantum the full retail value of the free hardware Ordered by the Merchant; OR the Merchant may choose to return all hardware to Quantum Electronic Payments LLC within 30 days of termination in lieu of paying the full retail value of the free hardware Ordered by the Merchant.

6.4. Full Retail Value. The full retail value of the hardware Ordered by the merchant is defined by the list price displayed when the merchant places their Order.

7. Payment Processing Monthly Minimum

7.1. Merchants receiving free hardware or software agree to a monthly processing minimum as defined by the individual Merchant Processing Agreement entered into by the Merchant.

8. General Provisions

8.1. Governing Law and Jurisdiction. The Parties intend that this Agreement be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to any conflict-of-law or choice-of-law rules, and that the rule of construction that provides that a document is construed against the maker thereof be inapplicable in the construction of any of the terms of this Agreement. The Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act, and the United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods, shall not apply to this Agreement.

8.2. Dispute Resolution. Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation, or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, or in connection with Merchant’s use of the Services or our websites, shall be determined through confidential binding arbitration before one arbitrator. The confidential binding arbitration shall be administered by AAA pursuant to its Commercial Arbitration Rules, and the parties shall maintain the confidential nature of the arbitration proceeding and the award, including the hearing. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action in the state or federal courts for the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction in circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; provided that any other relief shall be pursued through an arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Agreement. In any event, any action or proceeding by Merchant against Quantum Electronic Payments LLC relating to any dispute must commence within one year after the cause of action accrues.

8.3. Prohibition of Class and Representative Actions and Non-Individualized Relief. Except where prohibited by Applicable Law and Rules, Merchant and Quantum Electronic Payments LLC agree that each may bring claims against the other only on an individual basis and not as plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative action or proceeding. Unless both Merchant and Quantum Electronic Payments LLC agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate or join more than one person’s or party’s claims and may not otherwise preside over any form of a consolidated, representative, or class proceeding. Also, the arbitrator may award relief (including monetary, injunctive, and declaratory relief) only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief necessitated by that party’s individual claim(s).

8.4. Pre-Arbitration Dispute Resolution. Quantum Electronic Payments LLC is always interested in resolving disputes amicably and efficiently, and most concerns can be resolved quickly and to the participant’s satisfaction by contacting Quantum Electronic Payments LLC’s support team. If such efforts prove unsuccessful, a party who intends to seek arbitration must first send to the other, by certified mail, a written notice of dispute (the “Notice of Dispute”). The Notice of Dispute must (i) describe the nature and basis of the claim or dispute and (ii) set forth the specific relief sought. If Quantum Electronic Payments LLC and Merchant do not resolve the claim or dispute, despite good faith attempts, within sixty (60) calendar days after the Notice of Dispute is received, Merchant or Quantum Electronic Payments LLC may commence an arbitration proceeding. During the arbitration, the amount of any settlement offer made by either party shall not be disclosed to the arbitrator until after the arbitrator determines the amount, if any, to which the parties are entitled.

8.5. No Waiver. The failure of either party to enforce any right or provision in this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of such right or provision unless acknowledged and agreed to by such party in writing; and any waiver with respect to a specific circumstance will not constitute a waiver of the same provision or any other provision of this Agreement for any subsequent circumstance unless expressly provided by such written agreement, except that Quantum Electronic Payments LLC may modify this Agreement to comply with, and as a result of, amendments to Applicable Laws and Rules. The Section headings are provided merely for convenience and will not be given any legal import in the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement. No joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship exists between Quantum Electronic Payments LLC and Merchant as a result of this Agreement or use of the Services.

8.6. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with all exhibits, attachments, and addenda incorporated by reference herein and in any Orders and/or Quantum Electronic Payments LLC Master Services Agreement, represent the parties’ entire understanding relating to the Services and the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersede any prior or contemporaneous, conflicting, or additional communications, whether written or verbal, and will control over any different or additional terms of any non-Quantum Electronic Payments LLC ordering document, and no terms included in any such purchase order or other non-Quantum Electronic Payments LLC ordering document will apply to the Services or Hardware. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement signed by the parties, except (i) that Quantum Electronic Payments LLC may update this Merchant Agreement via a general notice to its customer base by providing reasonable notice and having Merchant check a box agreeing to such updated Merchant Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is held by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, if the essential terms and conditions of this Agreement for each party remain valid, binding, and enforceable, then such provision(s) will be deemed to be restated and construed to reflect the original intentions of the parties in accordance with Applicable Law and Rules with respect to the invalid or unenforceable provision(s), and with all other provisions of this Agreement remaining in full force and effect.

8.7. Assignment. Merchant may not assign this Agreement without the prior written approval of Quantum Electronic Payments LLC, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

8.8. Electronic Signature. Signatures transmitted and received electronically, such as through transmission of a scanned or faxed document, or via secure email or a service such as AdobeSign or a process that otherwise requires typing your name and acknowledging it as an electronic signature, or electronically indicating assent, acknowledgement or acceptance of an agreement, document or other writing, are true and valid signatures for all purposes hereunder and shall bind the parties to the same extent as that of a live signature on paper. Any transactions or services resulting from the Merchant’s instructions which Quantum Electronic Payments LLC receives in the Merchant’s name or under the Merchant’s credentials, including any electronic signature, shall be deemed to have been “a writing” and authenticated by the Merchant “in writing” for purposes of any law in which a writing or written signature is needed or required. All electronic signatures and records maintained by Quantum Electronic Payments LLC of transactions under the Merchant’s or its authorized users’ credentials shall be deemed to have been “signed” and will further constitute an “original” when printed from records established and maintained by Quantum Electronic Payments LLC or its agent in the normal course of business. The Merchant agrees not to contest the authorization for, or validity or enforceability of, Quantum Electronic Payments LLC’s electronic records and documents, or the admissibility of copies thereof, under any applicable law relating to whether certain agreements, files or records are to be in writing or signed by the party to be bound thereby. Records and “signed” documents, if introduced as evidence on paper in any judicial or other proceedings, will be admissible to the same extent and under the same conditions as other documentary business records.

8.9. Representatives. Each party shall be primarily responsible for each of its respective Representatives’ compliance with this Agreement.