Learning • 5 min read

Interchange Plus vs Blended Pricing

What the two main UK card payment pricing models actually mean, and which one usually suits which business.

What each model means

Blended

A single percentage covering interchange, scheme fees and the acquirer margin. Simple to read, but hides the cost of premium and international cards.

Interchange Plus

Interchange and scheme fees are passed through at cost, with a separate, transparent acquirer margin. Easier to verify and usually fairer at scale.

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Which one suits which business

Smaller and seasonal businesses often pay less on a simple pay-as-you-go blended model because there are no fixed costs. Established businesses with steady monthly turnover usually pay less on Interchange Plus once volume is consistent.

There is no universally better model. The right answer depends on monthly turnover, card mix and average transaction value.

Key takeaways

●Blended is simple but obscures the cost of premium and international cards.
●Interchange Plus is generally more transparent for steady-volume businesses.
●Effective rate is the only honest way to compare the two.

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