Start with a clear baseline
You cannot reduce a cost you cannot measure. Before you negotiate, switch or restructure anything, calculate your effective rate across the last three months of statements. That single number is the reference point every subsequent conversation should return to.
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
Sync renewal dates so you can review both at once.
Complete PCI on time
Avoid recurring non-compliance fees.
Watch for blended-pricing inflation
If commercial / international cards are a big share of turnover, consider Interchange Plus.
Negotiate, don't just switch
A credible benchmark is often enough to bring your existing rate down.
The order matters
Start with recurring fixed charges because they apply whether you trade or not. Then check avoidable compliance charges and per-item fees before negotiating the percentage rate. The order that matters most will depend on your statement.
Attacking the transaction rate first is intuitive but rarely the biggest lever - a 0.1 percentage point rate cut on £15,000/month is only £15. Removing a £30 terminal hire is £30 without any negotiation at all.
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
- You usually don't need to switch to save money - a credible benchmark often does the job.
- Small recurring fees add up. PCI, minimum, terminal and authorisation deserve attention.
- Attack fixed costs before the transaction rate - the savings are bigger and faster.
Want to understand what you are actually paying?
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