Can merchants charge an extra % fee for using my credit card?

Mooltan

Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere (but I cant find it if it has!)

I have a fairly hefty purchase to make and the merchant is telling me if I use my barclaycard (recently acquired 20 month interest free on balance transfers thankyou MSE!) they will charge me an additional 4% fee compared with cash or debit card.

I have tried researching the subject and can only find vague references to both Visa and MC prohibiting this in the Ts and Cs with merchants who accept their cards!

Can anyone shed any light on the subject?

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

It is certainly permitted in the UK. Some other countries have rules against this. Check if you're looking at US or UK T&Cs.

In the UK it's very common when purchasing concert tickets, flights, cars etc.

bengalknights

Yes credit card surcharges can be made at the moment although there is an investigation that is going to begin into looking to it.

dzug1

Visa and Mastercard used to have this in their T&C for merchant agreements.

Then the Competition Commission (or some such body - can't remember which particular one) ruled that it was anti-competitive and therefore unlawful, so the current situation in the UK is that it IS lawful to charge.