Program Guide
True Dual Pricing displays the cash price and card price simultaneously at the point of sale — before the customer selects a payment method. This is structurally different from a Cash Discount Program, and requires specific terminal configuration and compliance review.
How it works
The merchant sets two prices for every item or transaction: the cash price (lower) and the card price (slightly higher). This pricing structure is built into the POS or terminal configuration.
At checkout, the terminal or POS displays both the cash price and the card price to the customer before they select a payment method. No surprise at the end — full transparency before the decision.
The customer selects their payment method knowing both prices. Cash payment charges the cash price. Card payment charges the card price. The receipt reflects whichever price was selected.
Not "free processing" — a price structure
True Dual Pricing doesn't eliminate processing costs. It creates a compliant mechanism for pricing services so that customers who pay by card cover a portion of the processing cost at the time of purchase. The merchant's effective processing cost may be significantly reduced for qualifying businesses — but this is a transparent pricing decision, not zero-cost processing.
Program Comparison
| Feature | True Dual Pricing | Cash Discount | Surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| When price difference is shown | Before payment (both prices displayed) | At checkout (fee added) | At checkout (fee added on top) |
| Listed base price | Both shown simultaneously | Cash price | Standard listed price |
| Customer sees | Cash price AND card price upfront | Cash price → fee at terminal | Price → surcharge added at terminal |
| Card network rules | Permitted (Visa, MC) | Permitted (Visa, MC, Amex) | More restricted — prohibited in some states |
| State law exposure | Moderate — varies by state | Lower (cash discount framing) | Higher — banned in some states |
| Signage requirement | Both prices shown on terminal | Entrance + POS disclosure | Disclosure required before payment |
| Customer perception | Price transparency upfront | Discount for cash | Fee for using card |
| Terminal requirement | Must show both prices simultaneously | Most compliant terminals | Most terminals, but program restrictions |
Compliance requirements vary by state and card network. This comparison is informational — not legal advice. A compliance review is required before implementation.
Compliance
Required for compliant dual pricing
Not permitted in a dual pricing program
Hardware Compatibility
Not all terminals can display both prices simultaneously before payment. These are the systems we configure for dual pricing programs.
Native True Dual Pricing — both prices on customer display before payment
Learn moreCustomer-facing display shows both cash and card price before checkout
Learn moreDual pricing via account configuration — requires Duo for customer-facing display
Learn moreGood fit for dual pricing
May not be the right fit
We review your current processing structure, transaction volume, and state compliance requirements — then determine whether dual pricing makes sense and what implementation looks like.