a. Surcharges are fees that a retailer adds to the cost of a purchase when a customer uses a credit card. As a result of the settlement between a class of retailers and the brands on January 27, 2013, merchants in the U.S. and U.S. Territories are permitted to impose a surcharge on cardholders when a credit card is used. Not all merchants impose a surcharge, and some states (e.g., Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah) prohibit merchant surcharges. Cardholders who receive a surcharge in any of the above-mentioned states should report the merchant to the proper State authority.

b. Cardholders are required to be notified in advance if a merchant will impose a surcharge. Merchants must also include the surcharge fee on all receipts. Surcharges are allowable up to 4%. The limits vary by brand and by merchant discount rate. See GSA SmartPay Bulletin #17. If a merchant is imposing a surcharge, the CH may consider choosing another merchant that offers the same or similar item(s) to avoid paying the surcharge.