How to avoid convenience fees?

Asked by: Dariana Smitham  |  Last update: November 15, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (25 votes)

Use a different payment method. Merchants often charge convenience fees or surcharges when credit cards aren't a standard payment method. If you have a rent, utility or tax bill, consider paying by check or electronic transfer instead.

Is there a way to avoid convenience fees?

That's because credit cards are more expensive to process than credit cards. Renters can avoid these convenience fees by paying by ACH transfer or electronic check, with the funds coming directly from their bank accounts.

How do I skip a convenience fee?

Use Alternative Payment Methods: Opt for traditional alternative payment methods like cash or checks, which often do not incur convenience fees. Choose Fee-Free Payment Options: Some businesses offer fee-free options for online payments or bill pay. Check for these alternatives.

How do I avoid convenience fees when paying rent?

The way to avoid the fee and follow the terms of the lease is to pay full rent online the first month, plus the 50-cent fee. The second month, pay the rent minus 50 cents, with a memo that you are withholding the fee you paid the month before because it violates the lease agreement.

How do I remove the convenience fee?

Convenience fees are normally a flat fee or a small percentage of the total payment, but they can add up to a substantial sum if the payments are large or recurring. You may be able to avoid convenience fees by paying with cash or another form of payment.

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30 related questions found

Is it legal to charge a convenience fee?

Other states, such as California, don't have a blanket ban on surcharge programs but prohibit practices that are “unfair or deceptive.” That's why it's so important to disclose your surcharge program to customers and apply it consistently.

How do I stop unwanted charges on my card?

Contact your bank right away. To limit your liability, it is important to notify the bank promptly upon discovering any unauthorized charge(s).

Which states do not allow convenience fees?

Surcharging is widely accepted in the US except in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Puerto Rico. Illinois, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Texas, Nevada, New York, South Dakota, New Jersey, Minnesota, California, Florida, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Montana allow surcharging with certain contingencies.

How can I avoid paying fees?

Here are some proven tips:
  1. Utilize free checking and savings accounts. Many banks still offer them.
  2. Sign up for direct deposit. ...
  3. Keep a minimum balance. ...
  4. Keep multiple accounts at your bank. ...
  5. Use only your bank's ATMs. ...
  6. Don't spend more money than you have. ...
  7. Sign Up for Email or Text Alerts.

How to pay rent without service fee?

Cash. In some cases, your landlord will accept rent payments in cash. Paying rent with cash means you don't have to rely on digital platforms or online accounts or worry about bank fees.

Can I get refund of convenience fee?

By paying a convenience fee, you gain access to the ease of booking flights from anywhere. Convenience fee is a non-refundable fee applied to all bookings made via our website, app, or call centres. The fee applies to all modes of payment and is charged per customer per ticket.

How do you avoid a surcharge fee?

Use cash where you can

The easiest way to avoid card surcharges is to pay by cash. While businesses can charge a surcharge for paying by debit or credit cards, they can't charge a surcharge for paying by cash.

How do I avoid stop payment fees?

Some banks may waive or reduce the stop payment fee for certain checking accounts or charge less if you make a stop payment request online or through a phone call.

How to skip convenience fees?

How to Avoid Paying a Credit Card Convenience Fee or Surcharge
  1. Be observant. To charge a convenience fee or surcharge, merchants typically need to clearly disclose the fee during the checkout process.
  2. Use a different payment method. ...
  3. Look for cash discounts.

What are average convenience fees?

The average credit card processing fees range from 1.5 percent to 3.5 percent of each transaction, according to industry analysts, although the final percentage depends on a host of factors.

How do I not pay transaction fees?

The most effective way of minimising fees is to avoid paper-based and over-the-counter transactions. If you are writing cheques to pay for regular payments, check to see if alternatives are available - these generally have lower fees: Direct Debit.

How do you get around transaction fees?

They can avoid these fees by paying with cash or debit instead. The best way to implement a surcharge program is through Nadapayments. Nadapayments eliminates the interchange rate, providing you with a one-stop-shop to process debit and credit card payments.

How can I avoid processing fees?

How to Lower Credit Card Processing Fees and Avoid Extra Costs
  1. Protect Your Devices. ...
  2. Stay PCI Compliant. ...
  3. Find the Best Merchant Services Provider for Your Business. ...
  4. Consider Surcharging or Cash Discounts. ...
  5. Avoid Cancellation Fees.

How do you avoid transaction costs?

Encourage the use of lower-cost payment methods

Encouraging customers to use payment methods that incur lower fees can help you to reduce overall transaction costs.

How do you get around a convenience fee?

You can usually avoid credit card convenience fees by using an alternate payment form, such as cash, check, or electronic payment.

Why do convenience fees exist?

The reason that many venues charge a convenience fee is that the bank and processor service both take a small percentage from each credit card payment the business processes.

Is charging a convenience fee legal?

Surcharges and convenience fees are legal, but laws and regulations vary by state. In some states, merchants may not be allowed to charge surcharges or convenience fees at all, while in others, they are allowed with certain conditions, such as providing clear disclosure of the fees.

How do I stop unwanted charges?

As soon as you see an unexpected charge, take action. Make sure you've cancelled unwanted subscriptions and free trial offers. If the company is taking too long to close your account, contact your card issuer to block the company from charging your credit card.

Can banks find out who used your card?

Banks and law enforcement can use transaction details, surveillance footage, and digital tracking methods to identify the perpetrator, with various results.

Can I block a merchant from charging my card?

You can block a merchant from charging future payments to your card at any point. However, you should always contact the business first to cancel a recurring payment or subscription before contacting your card issuer.