What is dual pricing?
Dual pricing is a compliant pricing model that displays two prices on every item: a cash price and a card price. Customers paying by card cover the credit card processing cost, eliminating most or all of a business’s merchant fees while staying compliant with Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover rules.
How is dual pricing different from a surcharge?
A surcharge is added at checkout only on credit card transactions and is capped at 3% under most card brand rules. Dual pricing shows the higher card price up front on every item or menu — this generally has wider compliance, is allowed in all 50 U.S. states, 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 the cash price prominently and understand the card price as a transparent option. BridgeWave handles the merchandising and staff scripting so the program feels fair, not punitive.
Which POS systems support dual pricing?
BridgeWave supports dual pricing on Square, Clover, Union POS, Tabit, NCR Voyix, SumUp, Genius POS, and most major U.S. POS platforms. We configure the program in your existing POS where possible — 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.