Customers should understand pricing before they pay.

Why signage is the first check

Card-brand rules treat disclosure as part of the program, not optional marketing. If a shopper cannot tell how cash and card pricing work at the door and at the register, the rest of the setup is already at risk.

• Place a clear notice at the point of entry, not only behind the counter.
• Repeat the same message at the point of sale before the customer pays.
• Keep wording consistent with posted prices and staff explanation.

Surcharge signage

Visa publishes sample point-of-entry and point-of-sale language for surcharge programs. Use those samples as the baseline, then confirm your live signs match the program type you registered with your acquirer.

• Disclose that a surcharge may apply to eligible credit card transactions.
• Do not imply the fee applies to debit or prepaid cards.
• Keep the posted rate aligned with your documented cost-of-acceptance limit.

Cash discount signage

A cash discount is a reduction from the regular posted price. Signs should describe that discount, not a card fee added after a lower cash price is shown.

• Explain that posted prices are card prices, or show both card and cash prices.
• Avoid “3% card fee” language if the program is labeled as a cash discount.
• Make sure door, counter, and menu language all describe the same model.

Operator checklist

• Photograph entry and checkout signs at each location before go-live.
• Compare live wording to Visa’s sample surcharge disclosure language when applicable.
• Re-check signs whenever the rate, processor, or program type changes.
• Confirm staff scripts do not contradict the posted notice.

Continue the other two steps

Signage only holds if receipts and posted prices follow the same logic.