First check why the bill is higher
A higher bill can reflect more card sales, a different card mix, more small transactions, a new recurring charge or a price change. Compare a recent statement with an earlier representative month and check any change notifications before deciding that the rate alone is the problem.
You do not have to do the calculations yourself to get help. Start a free review with your provider, approximate card turnover and what you want to improve. A statement is optional to start and helps us check the actual charges when available.
Six practical steps
Calculate your effective rate
Total fees ÷ total card turnover. Know your starting point.
Review at sensible trigger points
Check when a contract changes, turnover shifts, a new channel is added or the arrangement has not been reviewed for some time.
Align the terminal contract
Record equipment and processing obligations separately before considering a move.
Check compliance-related charges
Ask which requirements apply, how to complete them and whether a recurring charge can be removed once they are met.
Use your real card mix
Compare the same activity under each pricing model. Interchange Plus is not automatically cheaper than a blended offer.
Negotiate, don't just switch
Ask your provider for revised terms and compare the written offer, including any new minimum period.
Prioritise what matters on your bill
Check both recurring fees and processing rates. The largest opportunity depends on your turnover, card mix, transaction count and what services you still need. A fee is only a saving if it can actually be removed without an offsetting cost or loss of service.
Use a written quote for a like-for-like comparison. Include promotional expiry dates, seasonal trading, equipment and the cost of moving; do not treat an advertised percentage as the complete monthly bill.
When switching genuinely wins
Switching may make sense when your incumbent will not negotiate or when your business model has changed materially—for example, you added online payments, opened another site or need different hardware.
A credible written quote can also support a renegotiation with your existing provider. Compare both outcomes, including contract and operational implications, before deciding.
Key takeaways
- Compare staying, requesting revised terms and switching; no outcome is guaranteed.
- Small recurring fees add up. PCI, minimum, terminal and authorisation deserve attention.
- Prioritise the charges that matter for your own activity, including the cost of changing them.
Want to understand what you are actually paying?
Send your latest merchant statement and Card Payment Connect will assess the charges, pricing structure and contract information available.
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