What is dual pricing?
In practice, your menu lists one price: the card price. Cash payers get a discount. You raise current menu prices by roughly 4%, rounded to numbers that look right on a menu, so the card-paying customer absorbs the processing cost and your cash prices stay where they are today. At checkout, the receipt and customer-facing screen show the line items and total at the card price, with a second line below it: a "Pay With Cash" total that is 3.5% to 4% less. Customers see both numbers before they pay, which is what keeps the program compliant with Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover rules.
How is dual pricing different from a surcharge?
A surcharge adds a fee at checkout, applies only to credit cards, and is capped at 3% under card brand rules. With dual pricing, the posted price already is the card price and nothing gets added at the register. Cash payers get a discount off the posted price. That structure is permitted in all 50 U.S. states when implemented correctly and applies to both credit and debit cards.
How much can I save with dual pricing?
Most businesses eliminate 80–100% of their card processing fees. A business processing $50,000/month typically saves $1,000–$1,500 per month after implementation. BridgeWave clients have collectively saved $2M+ per year using dual pricing and rate optimization.
What BridgeWave Handles for You
- Compliance review against current state law and card brand rules
- POS configuration on Square, Clover, Union POS, Tabit, and other supported systems
- Customer-facing signage and menu updates
- Staff training so the program feels transparent at the counter
- Ongoing monitoring and statement audits to catch drift
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dual pricing legal in my state?
Yes, dual pricing is legal in all 50 U.S. states when implemented correctly. A handful of states still restrict surcharging specifically. BridgeWave verifies your program against current state and card brand rules before go-live.
Will dual pricing hurt my customer experience?
When implemented well, no. Customers see one clean price on the menu and a lower cash total on the receipt, so it reads as a reward for paying cash, not a penalty for using a card. BridgeWave handles the menu math, signage, and staff scripting so the program feels fair, not punitive.
Which POS systems support dual pricing?
BridgeWave supports dual pricing on Square, SpotOn, Clover, Union POS, Tabit, Oracle Micros, SumUp, Genius POS, and most major U.S. POS platforms. We configure the program in your existing POS where possible, with no full system replacement required.
How long does it take to launch dual pricing?
Most programs go live within 7–14 days from kickoff: compliance check, POS configuration, signage delivery, and staff training all included.
Get a Free Dual Pricing Assessment
Send your last merchant statement and BridgeWave will model the exact monthly savings, recommend the right program (dual pricing vs. surcharge vs. cash discount), and verify compliance for your state and card brands. Schedule your free assessment.