How interchange works
On each sale, a portion of the fee goes to the issuer as interchange, with smaller amounts to the network and the acquirer/PSP. Rates vary by card type, region, channel and MCC.
What drives your rate
Premium and commercial cards, cross-border transactions and card-not-present payments typically carry higher interchange than standard domestic debit.
Interchange and your total cost
Interchange is a pass-through cost; your provider's margin sits on top. Understanding the split helps you compare quotes fairly across providers.
Can I avoid interchange fees?
No - interchange is set by the networks and paid to issuers on card transactions. You can reduce total cost by optimising card mix and using lower-cost alternative payment methods where suitable.
Why is my effective rate higher than the headline rate?
Headline rates often quote the cheapest card type. Premium, commercial and cross-border cards carry higher interchange, raising your blended effective rate.