Are card surcharges permitted at cashless establishments?
I was trying to reserve a dinner at a restaurant that came highly recommended, and I spotted this detail in their terms and conditions. Is this practice allowed?
I thought it was against the rules to impose card surcharges if a business chooses not to accept cash.
The rules regarding card surcharges at cashless venues can vary depending on the country or region you’re in. In many places, businesses are required to adhere to certain regulations when it comes to charging fees for card payments.
In general, if a venue operates only on a cashless basis, they may not be allowed to impose surcharges for card transactions. This is often because the absence of cash payments means customers have no alternative means of transaction. Additionally, certain jurisdictions have laws that prohibit or restrict surcharging to protect consumers from excessive fees.
It’s best to check the regulations specific to your location. If you feel the surcharge is unreasonable or not compliant with local laws, you may want to consider bringing it to the attention of the venue or reporting it to the relevant consumer protection agency. Also, reading through the terms and conditions carefully can provide more insight into their policies.