Dual pricing gives your customers a choice: cash or card? Both prices are posted clearly posted so they decide how to pay. The card price includes processing costs; the cash price reflects a discount.

Transparent. Compliant when implemented correctly. Easy to roll out across in-store, mobile, and online payments.
 

With dual pricing, businesses can reduce or even eliminate credit card processing fees without raising base prices. Customers see their options upfront, which builds trust and avoids surprises at checkout. When set up properly, dual pricing preserves margins while maintaining a smooth, customer-friendly payment experience.

 

 What Is Dual Pricing?

Dual pricing is a transparent pricing model where you display two prices for each item or service: a cash price and a card price. Customers see both options before paying and choose the method that’s best for them.

Unlike adding a fee at the register, dual pricing posts both prices upfront on the shelf, menu, website, or invoice so there are no surprises at checkout and receipts reflect the customer’s chosen price.

 

How Dual Pricing Works

Where it works

Example flow:

 

Why Businesses Choose Dual Pricing

Compliance and Pricing Models Compared 

Pricing Models at a Glance:

ModelDefinitionKey Considerations 
Dual PricingDisplay a cash price and a card price upfront; customer selects; receipt shows the selected price.Requires clear item-level display and signage; strong customer transparency.
SurchargingAdd a fee to card transactions at checkout.Subject to state restrictions and card brand rules; additional notice requirements.
Cash DiscountingPost the higher (card) price and offer a discount when paying with cash.Discount must be genuine and presented clearly; avoid last-minute fee perceptions.

How It Works with Beacon Payments

At Beacon Payments, we make dual pricing simple, seamless, and compliant.

Whether you run a restaurant, retail store, auto repair shop, or service business, our solutions align with your workflow and customer experience.

Ready to Stop Overpaying on Processing Fees?

If you're looking for a way to keep more of your hard-earned revenue without sacrificing customer trust, dual pricing may be the perfect solution.

Contact us today and find out how much you could save with Beacon Payments.

 

FAQ

Yes when both prices are posted clearly and consistently, and you follow card brand rules and applicable state laws. Beacon helps you configure everything correctly.

Most customers appreciate the transparency. Many choose card for convenience; price-sensitive customers choose cash. Our merchants report minimal pushback when signage and menus are clear.

Handling of debit varies by program and jurisdiction; we’ll configure your POS to apply the correct price logic. EBT transactions follow their own rules and are processed accordingly.

Taxes and tips are calculated on the price selected (cash or card). Your receipts and reports reflect the chosen method for clean accounting.

Refunds are issued to the original payment method, and your POS maintains consistent documentation for cash and card returns.

We support a range of dual pricing-ready terminals, POS systems, mobile readers, and major gateways for in-store, on-the-go, and online checkout.

Most businesses can roll out rapidly once signage and item-level pricing are set up. We provide templates and training to streamline go-live.