Webinar Replay: How to Stop Losing Money on Every Sale Without Spending a Penny
Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Dimitri Akhrin
Every card sale costs you something. However, many business owners never check how much of that cost they actually have to pay. In this 30-minute BAMS guest webinar, you’ll learn how to lower credit card processing fees and put that money back in your pocket.
Watch the replay below. Then use the guide that follows to see where your fees come from and what you can change today.
Why Processing Fees Add Up Faster Than You Think
Card acceptance is no longer optional for most businesses. As a result, processing fees have become one of the largest costs many merchants pay. The Nilson Report found that U.S. merchants paid $187.20 billion in fees to accept card payments in 2024, up from $172.05 billion the year before.
For a single business, those fees show up as a small percentage on every sale. Yet small percentages compound. Over a year, even a fraction of a percent can equal a new hire, a marketing campaign or a full inventory order.
What Makes Up Your Credit Card Processing Fees
Before you can lower credit card processing fees, it helps to know who gets paid on each transaction. Most fees fall into three groups.
Interchange
Interchange goes to the bank that issued your customer’s card. The card networks set these rates. Also, they vary by card type, how you accept the card and your business category. For example, Mastercard explains that interchange can depend on merchant category, transaction data and sales volume.
Network Assessments
Next, the card brands charge small assessment fees for using their networks. Like interchange, these costs are the same for every processor.
Processor Markup
Finally, your processor adds its own markup. This is the part you can actually negotiate. It’s also where unclear pricing and extra statement fees tend to hide.
4 Ways to Lower Credit Card Processing Fees
You don’t need new equipment or a big project to cut costs. Instead, start with these steps.
1. Read Your Statement Line by Line
First, divide your total monthly fees by your total card volume. That number is your effective rate. Then look for monthly minimums, PCI fees, batch fees and other charges you don’t recognize. If your processor can’t explain a fee, that’s a red flag.
2. Ask How Your Pricing Is Built
Tiered pricing groups transactions into “qualified” and “non-qualified” buckets. Because the processor decides which bucket applies, your costs can be hard to predict. Transparent pricing, on the other hand, shows the real cost of each transaction plus a clear markup. To learn more, read our guide to cost-plus pricing.
3. Consider a Cash Discount or Dual Pricing Program
With a cash discount program, customers who pay with cash receive a discount. With dual pricing, customers see both a cash price and a card price. In both cases, the program can help offset what you pay to accept cards. However, the rules for these programs differ from state to state. So work with a provider that sets them up the compliant way.
4. Prevent Chargebacks Before They Happen
Every chargeback brings a fee, lost revenue and staff time. In addition, clear billing descriptors, signed receipts and fast customer service can stop many disputes early. Read how chargebacks affect business owners to learn more.
How BAMS Helps You Keep More of Every Sale
BAMS publishes its rates so you know what you’ll pay: 1.65% + 20¢ for in-person payments and 2.20% + 20¢ for online payments. On top of that, BAMS offers compliant dual pricing and cash discount programs. Eligible merchants also get next-day funding at no extra cost. Plus, a dedicated support specialist can walk you through your statement.
Not sure where to start? Read what to consider when choosing a payment processor. Then see how merchant services providers like BAMS help businesses succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to lower credit card processing fees?
Start with your statement. Calculate your effective rate and flag any fee your processor can’t explain. Then compare your pricing model with a transparent option.
Can I lower credit card processing fees without switching processors?
Sometimes. For instance, you can ask your current processor to remove extra fees or move you to clearer pricing. If they won’t, it may be time to compare providers.
Are cash discount programs legal?
Cash discount programs are allowed in all 50 states. Still, how you post prices and disclose the program matters. So use a provider that sets up the program correctly.
How long is the webinar?
The replay runs about 30 minutes. You can watch it at the top of this page.
