Small Ticket Program

Small Ticket Processing

Small Ticket Programs may be the best way for merchants to save money on fees when accepting credit or debit cards for smaller transactions. Host Merchant Services is committed to bringing its clients the lowest fees in the industry. Our Small Ticket Program is a feature that helps us do just that for those merchants who process transactions at $15 or less.

Many merchants have seen debit savings thanks to the Durbin Amendment, which caps the Interchange Fees that Visa and MasterCard charge for debit cards at $0.24 and 5 basis points. Smaller merchants do not see the savings when running transactions under $15, since the 24-cent per item fee and the 5 basis points amount to 2.1% of the total ticket before any additional fees are incorporated.

The Small Ticket Program however, allows qualifying merchants to pay a per-item fee of only 5 cents while paying an interchange rate of 1.6% for Visa. MasterCard has set its small-ticket rate at 4 cents and 1.55%. This program saves merchants money on lower transaction amounts since the per-item fee is less of a burden on them in terms of overall effective rate.

The Interchange category for small tickets is available for merchants who are on Interchange Plus pricing, and who qualify under the Visa and MasterCard business types listed below.  Merchants enrolled in flat-rate pricing or any type of three-tiered pricing will not be able to utilize these savings, which is just another way Interchange Plus pricing allows merchants to maximize their savings.

While some processing companies hide added percentage points in the difference that exists between small ticket and large ticket processing, Host Merchant Services gives the savings directly to you. Our Small Ticket Program offers a better Interchange category and a lower per item fee, saving you more money in processing fees for all purchases $15 or less.

Visa opened up the types of businesses that qualify for Small Ticket Processing in November 2010. Now each of these industries qualify:

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    Local Commuter Transport
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    Limos & Taxis
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    Bus Lines
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    Bridge & Road Fees/Tolls
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    Grocery Stores/Supermarkets
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    Convenience Stores
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    Service Stations
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    Fast Food Restaurant
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    Drug Stores
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    Book Stores
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    News Dealers, Newsstands
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    Dry Cleaners
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    Quick Copy, Reproduction & Blueprint
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    Parking Lots & Garages
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    Car Washes
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    Motion Picture Theater
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    Video Tape Rental Stores
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    Post Stamps/Government Only

MasterCard also expanded the qualifications for the Small Ticket Processing beginning in April 2012.  The following business types now qualify:

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    Transportation
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    Limousines & Taxi
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    Bus Lines
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    Bridge & Road Fees/Tolls
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    Misc. Food Stores/ Convenience
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    Restaurants
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    Fast Food Restaurants
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    News Dealers and Newsstands
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    Dry Cleaners, Laundry Services
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    Quick Copy, Reproduction & Blueprint
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    Parking Lots & Garages
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    Car Washes
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    Motion Picture Theaters
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    Video Rental
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    Postal Services-Government Only

If you qualify under any one of these categories, contact Host Merchant Services for your small ticket savings right away. Host Merchant Services promises: we deliver personal service and clarity and as always, we want to keep merchants informed of any potential savings.

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