How to skip convenience fees?

Asked by: Dr. Darian Howell  |  Last update: February 21, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (11 votes)

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.

Is there any way to avoid a convenience fee?

Yes, the only way to bypass the convenience fee is by buying in-person.

How do you get around a convenience fee?

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 to waive off convenience fees?

Review Payment Policies: Always review the payment terms and conditions before completing a transaction to understand if a convenience fee applies. Use Business-Specific Payment Methods: Some businesses have partnerships with payment processors that may waive convenience fees if you use their preferred payment method.

How do I avoid convenience fees when paying with a credit card?

One way to get around paying fees is to use cash. You can go old school and pay by check or set up an online deduction from your checking account to bypass fees. Some stores are even announcing they “don't charge a fee” hoping to get customers in the door.

How to BOOK CHEAP FLIGHTS (Tricks that ACTUALLY work)

22 related questions found

Is it illegal to charge a convenience fee for credit cards?

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 to pay bills using credit card without convenience fee?

Choose an issuer like DBS Bank in conjunction with Bajaj Finserv. It allows you to pay electricity bills with a credit card without a convenience fee and offers lucrative rewards programs. This combo can add up to major money in your pocket.

How do I ask for a fee to be waived?

HIGHLIGHTS
  1. Clearly state your request for a fee waiver and why you need it.
  2. Highlight your financial hardships and why you cannot pay the fee.
  3. Provide supporting documents to demonstrate your financial need.
  4. Use a polite and professional tone in your email.

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.

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.

Why do credit cards charge a convenience fee?

The fee is typically a fixed amount or a percentage of the sale. Convenience fees are charged by businesses to cover the cost they pay to payment processing companies for when a customer pays by credit card. A convenience fee is different from a surcharge, which is a charge simply for just using a credit card.

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.

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 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.

Is there a way to avoid dealer fees?

Most dealership fees are negotiable, though there are a few you can't avoid. If you're interested in a service or product, there is likely a third party option that will cost less. Try not to wrap additional costs into your loan to save on interest.

Is it possible to avoid credit card fees?

How to avoid credit card fees. It important to know what types of fees apply to your credit card. Some fee types, like annual card fees, can't be avoided. Other types of fees, like late payment or cash advance fees, won't be charged if you're smart about how you use your credit card.

How do I avoid convenience fees?

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 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.

What the heck is a convenience fee?

A pay-to-pay fee – also known as a convenience fee – is a fee charged by a company when you make a payment through a particular channel. For example, companies sometimes allow you to make a payment in person or by mail for free but charge you a fee for the convenience of taking your payment over the phone or online.

How do I ask for a fee waiver code?

Call the admissions office yourself or ask your high school counselor to help advocate in your favor. In your request, explain that paying the application fee would create a financial hardship for you or your family.

How do I ask for a lower fee?

Top eight phrases to use when negotiating a lower price
  1. All I have in my budget is X.
  2. What would your cash price be?
  3. How far can you come down in price to meet me?
  4. What? or Wow.
  5. Is that the best you can do?
  6. Ill give you X if we can close the deal now.
  7. Ill agree to this price if you.
  8. Your competitor offers.

How do you convince a client to pay a fee?

8 Simple Ways to Encourage Debtors to Pay on Time
  1. Build Strong Client Relationships. ...
  2. Set Clear Payment Terms. ...
  3. Invoice Promptly. ...
  4. Make it Easier for Clients to Pay. ...
  5. Consider Offering Incentives for Early Payments. ...
  6. Implement Penalties and Late Payment Fees for Slow-Paying Clients. ...
  7. Keep in Touch and Send Friendly Reminders.

How to add money from credit card without convenience fee?

Several digital wallets and UPI (Unified Payments Interface) applications allow you to add money using a credit card without any charges. By transferring money from your credit card to the wallet and then transferring it to your bank account, you can avoid direct charges.

What bills Cannot be paid with a credit card?

Depending on the type of bill and the merchant, you may be able to use a credit card to pay bills. Mortgages, rent and car loans typically can't be paid with a credit card. If you pay some bills, like utility bills, with a credit card, you may need to pay a convenience fee.

Why do credit cards have convenience fees?

A convenience fee is levied by a merchant for offering customers the privilege of paying with an alternative non-standard payment method. Merchants can process convenience fees in all 50 states. A surcharge is levied by a merchant for customer purchases made with a credit card.