Accepting Amex and Premium Cards in 2026: What UK Businesses Pay

LAST REVIEWED 2026-09-06

Why does accepting Amex cost more for UK businesses?

Amex transactions typically cost UK businesses more because Amex operates a three-party model, unlike Visa and Mastercard's four-party model. This means Amex sets its own interchange rates, which are not capped by the Interchange Fee Regulation (IFR). Acquirers pass on these higher costs, often charging a blended rate above the consumer card caps.

The IFR, effective from December 2015, caps interchange at 0.2% for consumer debit and 0.3% for consumer credit. However, Amex is not bound by these caps as it is both the issuer and the acquirer. Consequently, acquirers like Square and Zettle charge a flat rate of 1.75% for Amex, while SumUp charges 1.69%. These rates are significantly higher than the typical 0.3% credit card cap, reflecting the higher interchange Amex charges.

For a business processing £2,000 monthly in Amex transactions, the fee at 1.75% would be £35, compared to £33.8 at SumUp's 1.69%. At £10,000, the difference grows to £175 versus £169. Over a year, this could amount to hundreds of pounds. Businesses should check their acquirer's specific Amex rate, as some may negotiate lower rates based on volume.

Additionally, Amex offers its own merchant acquiring services, but these often come with higher fees and additional services. The table below illustrates the monthly fee at different turnover levels for popular providers.

What are the costs for commercial and corporate cards?

Commercial and corporate cards, such as business credit cards, are also exempt from the IFR caps. Acquirers typically charge a higher blended rate for these cards, which can be significantly above the consumer caps.

Acquirers often apply a separate rate for commercial cards, which can be 1.75% or more. This is because commercial cards offer additional benefits like expense management and insurance, which issuers fund through higher interchange.

Businesses that accept a high volume of commercial cards may see their effective rate increase. It is essential to review the merchant statement to identify the rates applied to commercial card transactions. Some acquirers may allow businesses to set a surcharge for commercial cards, but UK law prohibits surcharging for all card types since 2018.

The table below shows the timeline of UK card acceptance rules, including the IFR caps and subsequent regulatory changes.

How do premium consumer cards affect acceptance costs?

Premium consumer cards, such as those with high rewards or travel benefits, often carry higher interchange fees than standard consumer cards. While the IFR caps interchange for consumer credit at 0.3%, some premium cards may have higher fees due to their rewards structure. However, these caps apply to the interchange fee, not the total cost to the merchant.

Acquirers may charge a higher blended rate for premium cards if they can identify them, but in practice, most acquirers apply a single rate for all consumer credit cards. This means the cost of accepting a premium card is often the same as a standard card, but the interchange fee paid to the issuer may be higher, reducing the acquirer's margin.

For businesses, the key is to understand that the rate quoted by the acquirer is a blended rate that averages across all card types. If a business attracts customers who use premium cards, the effective cost may be higher than the quoted rate. However, the IFR caps ensure that the interchange fee for consumer credit cards does not exceed 0.3%, so the impact is limited.

Businesses should monitor their statements to see if any transactions are charged at a higher rate, which could indicate premium card usage. Some acquirers may offer lower rates for businesses that can demonstrate a low risk of premium card usage.

What are the published Amex rates from major UK providers?

Several UK card machine providers publish their Amex rates. As of 2026, Square and Zettle both charge 1.75% for Amex transactions, while SumUp charges 1.69%. These rates are higher than their standard consumer card rates, reflecting the higher interchange fees Amex charges.

For example, Square's standard rate for consumer credit cards is 1.75%, but for Amex it is also 1.75%, which is the same. Zettle also charges 1.75% for Amex. SumUp charges 1.69% for Amex, which is lower than its standard rate of 1.69% for all cards. This suggests that SumUp may be absorbing some of the Amex costs to remain competitive.

Other providers like Tide and Worldpay do not publish their percentage rates, instead offering fixed monthly fees. Tide charges £2.99 per month plus VAT, with a rate not published, while Worldpay charges £20.00 per month, also with a rate not published. These fixed-fee models may be more cost-effective for businesses with high turnover, but the lack of transparency makes it difficult to compare.

The table below shows the monthly fee at different turnover levels for these providers, assuming the published rates for percentage-based providers.

Should UK businesses accept Amex and premium cards?

Accepting Amex and premium cards can increase sales by catering to customers who prefer these cards. However, the higher fees can eat into profit margins. Businesses must weigh the potential revenue against the additional costs.

For low-margin businesses, the 1.75% fee on Amex transactions might be prohibitive.

Conversely, businesses with higher margins or those that attract affluent customers may find that accepting Amex is worthwhile. Amex cardholders tend to spend more per transaction, which can offset the higher fee. According to Amex, their cardholders spend on average more than Visa or Mastercard holders, though specific figures are not published.

Businesses should also consider the competitive landscape. If competitors accept Amex, not accepting it could lead to lost sales. Ultimately, the decision depends on the business's customer base and financial situation.

What are the UK rules on surcharging card payments?

Since January 2018, UK businesses are banned from surcharging any consumer or commercial card payments, including Amex and premium cards. This means businesses cannot add a fee to cover the cost of accepting card payments. The ban applies to all card types, including credit, debit, and charge cards.

The ban was introduced following the EU Payment Accounts Directive, which was retained in UK law after Brexit. Businesses that breach the ban can be fined by trading standards. The ban does not apply to other payment methods like PayPal or bank transfers, but it does apply to all card payments.

This means businesses must absorb the cost of accepting Amex and premium cards, which can be higher than standard cards. To mitigate this, businesses may consider adjusting their prices to reflect the average cost of card acceptance across all payment methods.

The table below outlines the timeline of UK card acceptance rules, including the surcharging ban and other regulatory changes.

Glossary: card payment terms explained

Interchange Fee: A fee paid by the acquirer to the card issuer for each transaction, typically a percentage of the transaction value.

Acquirer: A financial institution that processes card payments on behalf of merchants, such as Square, Zettle, or SumUp.

Blended rate: A single percentage rate charged by an acquirer that averages the costs of different card types, including debit, credit, and commercial cards.

Three-party scheme: A card scheme where the issuer and acquirer are the same entity, such as Amex, as opposed to four-party schemes like Visa and Mastercard.

Surcharging: Adding an extra fee to a transaction when a customer pays by card, which is banned in the UK for all consumer and commercial cards.

IFR: The Interchange Fee Regulation, an EU regulation that caps interchange fees for consumer debit and credit cards, effective from December 2015.

Checklist: what to check on a fee statement or contract

• Check your merchant statement for the specific rate applied to Amex transactions.
• Compare published Amex rates from providers like Square, Zettle, and SumUp.
• Review your contract for any clauses that allow higher rates for commercial cards.
• Ensure you are not surcharging customers for card payments, as this is banned.
• Consider the impact of Amex fees on your profit margin for high-value transactions.
• Look for providers that offer lower Amex rates or negotiate based on your volume.

Each item above maps to a line that must appear in the PSR summary box or the contract schedule, so a missing entry is itself a question for the provider.

Frequently asked questions

Can I refuse to accept Amex cards in the UK business?

Yes, you can choose not to accept Amex cards. There is no legal obligation to accept any particular card brand. However, refusing Amex may lead to lost sales from customers who prefer to use Amex. Many businesses accept Amex to cater to high-spending customers, despite the higher fees. If you do accept Amex, you must comply with the scheme rules, which may include displaying the Amex logo and not surcharging. Ultimately, the decision depends on your target market and whether the potential revenue outweighs the additional costs.

Can I surcharge card payments in the UK?

No, since January 2018, UK businesses are banned from surcharging any consumer or commercial card payments. This includes credit cards, debit cards, and charge cards like Amex. The ban was introduced to protect consumers from excessive fees. If you add a surcharge for card payments, you could face enforcement action from trading standards. The ban does not apply to other payment methods like PayPal or bank transfers. Therefore, you must absorb the cost of card acceptance, which can be higher for Amex and commercial cards.

Are business debit cards capped by the IFR?

No, business debit cards are not capped by the Interchange Fee Regulation (IFR). The IFR caps interchange fees for consumer debit cards at 0.2% and consumer credit cards at 0.3%. However, commercial cards, including business debit and credit cards, are exempt from these caps. This means issuers can charge higher interchange fees for business cards, which acquirers pass on to merchants. As a result, accepting business debit cards can be more expensive than consumer debit cards, and the rates are not subject to the same regulatory limits.

Why is Amex outside the IFR caps?

Amex operates as a three-party scheme, meaning it acts as both the issuer and the acquirer. The Interchange Fee Regulation (IFR) applies to four-party schemes like Visa and Mastercard, where there are separate issuers and acquirers. Since Amex does not have a separate interchange fee, it is not covered by the caps. This allows Amex to set its own fees, which are typically higher than the capped rates. Consequently, merchants accepting Amex often pay higher fees, as reflected in the rates charged by acquirers like Square and Zettle.

Does OptBlue exist in the UK?

OptBlue is a program by Amex that allows smaller merchants to accept Amex through third-party acquirers, such as Square or PayPal, at lower rates. However, OptBlue is primarily available in the United States and Canada. In the UK, Amex has historically worked directly with merchants or through acquirers, but the specific OptBlue program is not commonly offered. UK businesses can still accept Amex through various providers, but the rates may not be as competitive as those in the US. It is best to check with your acquirer for available Amex options.