Start at the summary
Most UK merchant statements open with a summary showing total card turnover, total fees and any deductions for the month. Note both numbers; you will need them to calculate your effective rate.
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Start free reviewWork through the detail
Transaction fees
Often split by card type. Look for separate rates on premium and international cards.
Authorisation fees
Small per-transaction fees that add up at low ticket sizes.
Terminal hire
Confirm the monthly cost and the contract end date.
PCI compliance
Annual fee plus any monthly non-compliance fees.
Minimum monthly service
Applied when turnover falls below a stated level.
Other line items
Statement fee, scheme fee passthrough, refund fees, chargeback fees, gateway fees if applicable.
Finish with the effective rate
Divide total fees by total card turnover and multiply by 100. The result is your effective rate for that month. Track it over three to six months for a fair picture.
Key takeaways
- ●Always start with total turnover and total fees from the summary.
- ●Premium and international card line items are where blended pricing often hides cost.
- ●Calculate the effective rate across several months for a fair benchmark.