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Debit card service fees

Using either a debit or a credit card can result in a service fee – but most merchants can't legally charge them in Canada.

While service fees (also sometimes referred to as convenience fees) can apply to both debit and credit card transactions, they are rarely charged in Canada. This is because card providers such as Visa, Mastercard and Amex typically don’t allow merchants to add an additional charge. Only a few eligible merchants can legally charge this fee on certain types of transactions in Canada.

What are service fees or “convenience fees”?

Whenever you buy goods or services using a debit, credit or prepaid card, the merchant will incur its own bank costs for processing that payment. Since service fees can’t be charged by most merchants in Canada, some merchants will cover processing costs by charging a higher price for their goods or services. Meanwhile, eligible merchants are allowed to cover the costs by imposing a service fee, or convenience fee, on card-based transactions. This may apply to either debit or credit card transactions.

Comprehensive guide to debit cards

When are service fees allowed to be charged?

Merchants or ATM operators can charge a service fee under these circumstances:

  • The merchant or transaction is eligible. Each card provider has its own rules regarding which types of merchants or transactions can charge service fees. For example, Visa allows real estate agents, post-secondary institutions, childcare businesses and utilities companies (among several other types of businesses) to impose a fee for cardless transactions. This fee is capped at around 1.5%, depending on whether debit or credit is used. Rules vary between providers, so visit your card provider’s website for more information.
  • Prior notification. You’re notified of the fee before you enter your PIN and confirm the charge.
  • Option to cancel. They give you the opportunity to cancel your transaction at no cost if you choose to do so.

Remember that most merchants in Canada cannot legally charge a service fee unless they are considered “eligible” under the card provider’s rules.

How do I report a merchant that is improperly charging a service fee?

If you believe a merchant is charging a service fee in violation of a card provider’s rules, contact the card provider directly or reach out to your provincial or territorial consumer affairs office to file a report.

How do I avoid paying a service fee?

If you come across an eligible merchant who can legally charge a service fee, you can avoid paying the fee by:

What about if I use payWave or Tap & Go®?

If you use the tap & go feature on your debit card, you may still face a service fee when paying for a product or service at an eligible merchant. They will need to inform you of the charge before you make your payment.

If an eligible merchant charges a service fee for the use of credit cards only, and you make a tap & go payment with your debit card, you may still face a service fee. This is due to the fact that tap & go transactions, or contactless payments such as Visa’s payWave or MasterCard’s Tap & Go®, are processed through the same system used for credit card transactions – so even if you tap & go using your debit card, you may be hit with a credit card service fee.

The pros and cons of tap and go

Debit card service fees FAQs

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Emma Balmforth is a producer at Finder. She is passionate about helping people make financial decisions that will benefit them now and in the future. She has written for a variety of publications including World Nomads, Trek Effect and Uncharted. Emma has a degree in Business and Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She enjoys backpacking, reading and taking long hikes and road trips with her adventurous dog. See full bio

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