How do I let customers pay with my credit card?

Asked by: Mrs. Carolyne Dietrich Jr.  |  Last update: October 26, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (30 votes)

To accept credit card payments, your business needs a payment processor, POS hardware (if you're accepting in-person payments), online payment gateway (if you're accepting e-commerce payments) and a merchant account. Usually, you can get all of these components from the same provider.

Can you charge customers to pay by card?

Businesses cannot impose any surcharge for using the following methods of payment: consumer credit cards, debit cards or charge cards. similar payment methods that are not card-based (for example, mobile phone-based payment methods) electronic payment services (for example, PayPal)

How can I accept credit card payments?

If you want to accept credit card payments, you can do it in one of two ways: merchant accounts or payment service providers. A merchant account is an account you open with a bank to accept credit card payments.

How do I ask my customer for a credit card payment?

Email template to ask the client for payment

I am attaching the invoice for my services to this email. As we discussed, the total bill is [total amount], payable via [your preferred payment method: PayPal, credit card, or other] by [due date]. Thank you, and I am looking forward to working with you again in the future.

How can I use my credit card to pay someone?

Apps like Cash App, PayPal and Venmo allow you to send money through their platforms with a credit card, while Apple Cash, Google Pay and Zelle don't. Card issuers — such as Amex, Chase and Citi — support card loans that can be lower-cost alternatives for cardholders.

How to Accept Credit Card Payments Like a Pro

39 related questions found

Can I use my credit card to pay another person?

Yes. You can easily pay a friend with your credit card through PayPal, but you'll be charged a 2.9% fee per transaction. If you want to send money for free, you'll need to link a bank account to your PayPal account.

Can I Zelle from a credit card?

Zelle also doesn't allow for credit card payments. Venmo, Cash App and PayPal, on the other hand, let you link your credit card.

Is it legal to take payments over the phone?

Merchants who accept MOTO (mail order/phone order) payments must meet specific requirements to account for the fact that card-not-present telephone transactions pose more risks than standard card-present transactions – both for the merchant, who has to protect their organization from card-not-present fraud, and for the ...

How do you politely ask a customer for payment?

To request payment professionally, it's important to first make sure there was no error or miscommunication about the invoice. Send a polite email to your client explaining that the payment is now past due and ask to make sure they received the initial invoice and there were no problems with it.

How do I get someone to pay my credit card bill?

Anyone is able to call the number on the back of your credit card, and there's typically a “make a payment” option that will get them to a customer service representative who can help them make a payment on your behalf.

Can I accept credit card payments on my phone?

Most modern payment providers have smartphone apps that offer POS features. Download the correct app, attach your hardware to your mobile device, and you're ready to start accepting credit card payments on your phone.

Can you use a credit card as a payment method?

Credit cards are used the same way as debit cards, but the key difference is that customers are paying with money they'll have to pay back at a later date.

How to use your phone as a card reader?

To make your phone work as a card reader, you will have to install an online billing app. There are quite a few in the market that you can use. Apple Pay for iPhone, Google Pay for Android phones, or the new and popular ScanPay are great apps for safe mobile payments.

How can my customers pay me with a credit card?

To accept credit payments as an individual, simply set up an account with a payment processing system. This lets you easily accept online or mobile payments, or you can purchase further options like a credit card terminal to accept in-person credit card transactions.

Can you pass credit card fees to customers?

There are a few ways of legally passing on credit card fees to customers. Some are direct, and some are indirect. Adding a surcharge to cover the credit card fee is the more direct method while incentivizing cash payments is indirect.

Is it legal to charge customers for using a credit card?

California Senate Bill 478, part of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, bans all “junk fees” on purchases across California. This includes credit card surcharges in most situations. It's also worth noting that California's new laws extend beyond credit card surcharges.

How do you ask for payment without sounding rude?

We understand that it may be a busy time, but we wanted to remind you of your outstanding payment on invoice # [number] due [date]. We have attached an additional copy of the invoice for easy reference. If you have any questions regarding your payment, please don't hesitate to reach out.

How do I message a customer for payment?

Tips for writing an effective payment reminder email
  1. Include the invoice number and due date in the email subject line. ...
  2. Reattach the original invoice to your payment reminder message. ...
  3. Keep the copy short and professional, but with a friendly tone. ...
  4. Include ways to pay and what the payment terms are.

What is the most polite way to ask for payment?

How to ask someone to pay you for work
  1. Avoid letting too much time pass from the payment due date. ...
  2. Set up an emailing schedule. ...
  3. Send polite reminders before the due date. ...
  4. Send a polite but direct email on the due date. ...
  5. Firmly remind them when your invoice is overdue. ...
  6. Call them if they still don't pay you.

Is it safe to give my credit card number over the phone?

While it's legal for businesses to take payment via phone, there are valid security concerns around giving these details on a call. It's more important than ever to practice due diligence to keep credit card details and other payment information safe.

What allows you to pay with your phone?

Google Pay is the fast, easy, and secure way to pay on sites, in apps, and in stores using the cards saved to your Google Account. To use Google Pay to pay in stores, you'll need an Android phone.

Can you key in a credit card with Square?

You may also be required to manually key in someone's card details whilst they're in-store, for example if they've left their card at home. The process is just as easy as with Square Virtual Terminal: Key in the amount or add the items that the customer is purchasing. Hit 'Charge' and select 'Manual card entry'

How can I pay someone with my credit card?

How can I send money with my credit card instantly? P2P payment apps like PayPal, Venmo or Cash App let you send money using your credit card within minutes or even seconds. Generally, domestic wire transfers take one to three days, while international wire transfers can take two to five business days.

Why can't Zelle use a credit card?

Why? First, make sure that you are enrolling a Visa® or Mastercard® debit card tied to a bank account in the U.S. You will not be able to enroll business debit cards, credit cards, cards linked to international accounts, gift cards or pre-paid cards from financial institutions outside of the Zelle Network®.

Can you pay rent with a credit card?

Landlords who do accept direct credit card payments have to pay merchant processing fees for the privilege, and it's common for them to pass those fees on to the renters on top of rent. The convenience fee for paying rent with a card typically ranges from 2.5% to 2.9%, which may sound small, but it adds up.