It's a discount for cash, not a fee on cards.
Get this and everything else follows.
A cash discount
The card price is the real price. Paying cash takes money off. The card customer simply pays what is listed.
A card surcharge
You never add a fee on top. There is no cap, no notice period and no state restrictions, because nothing is being added.
Same two numbers, different reference price. The framing is what keeps it legal in every state.
Three steps.
Set your price
That number is the card price: what a card-paying customer sees and pays.
Set a cash discount
A flat amount or a small percentage that comes off for cash, check or ACH.
Show both prices
Card price and cash price, side by side, at equal size. That's it.
What you have to get right.
Short version: show both prices honestly, and put the discount on the receipt.
Quick answers.
Isn't this just a surcharge with extra steps?
No. With a cash discount the card price is the real price and cash comes off. With a surcharge the cash price is the real price and card is added on. Different reference price, different rules.
Do debit cards make this complicated?
No. Because you are discounting cash, debit and credit are treated exactly the same. Debit rules only bite when you add a card fee.
Why choose this over surcharging?
It is simpler and legal in every state, with no notice period. If you are unsure which to run, start here. Compare with surcharging →
Merchants use dual pricing to offset the cost of accepting cards. Partners offer it as a straightforward way to help merchants protect their margins.
On Invoisure the mechanics are handled for you: both prices show at equal prominence, the cash discount is itemized on every receipt, and the program is disclosed at checkout.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Card-network rules and state law change. Verify with your processor and legal counsel before launching a pricing program.