Although MasterCard has no involvement in acquirer (i.e., the financial institutions that provide card acceptance services to merchants) and merchant pricing policies or agreements, it is generally understood that interchange fees are one component of the merchant discount rate (MDR) established by acquirers, which is paid by merchants to acquirers in consideration for card acceptance services.

MasterCard interchange rates are established by MasterCard, and are generally paid by acquirers to card issuers on purchase transactions conducted on MasterCard cards. Interchange rates are only one of many cost components included in a MDR, and are a necessary and efficient method by which MasterCard maintains a strong and vibrant payments network. Setting interchange rates is a challenging proposition that involves a delicate balance. If interchange rates are set too high, such that they lead to disproportionately high MDRs, merchants’ desire and demand for MasterCard acceptance will drop. If interchange rates are set too low, card issuers’ willingness to issue and promote MasterCard cards will drop, as will consumer demand for such cards. In response to these competitive forces, MasterCard strives to maximize the value of the MasterCard system, including the dollar volume spent on MasterCard cards, the number and types of MasterCard cards in circulation, and the number and types of merchants accepting MasterCard cards, by setting default interchange rates at levels that balance the benefits and costs to both cardholders and merchants.

Although MasterCard interchange rates have generally been available to merchants through requests to acquirers or other card acceptance service providers, MasterCard has heard the requests from merchants and others to disclose our interchange rates and believes that providing easy access to our interchange rates will provide transparency for merchants.

Merchants interested in learning more about our domestic rates and international interchange rates are invited to complete this email inquiry form . Once completed, MasterCard will respond, explaining applicable interchange rates within two business days.

As always, MasterCard also encourages merchants to speak with their MasterCard card acquirer or other card acceptance service provider, if they have questions regarding any aspect of MasterCard interchange rates, acceptance of MasterCard cards, or their card-acceptance agreement.