April 2021 Card Interchange Program Changes

Effective April 16, 2021, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are amending their Interchange Programs. These changes include the retirement of various programs, rate changes for others, and new programs. In general, for Visa, CPS card-not-present and CPS e-Commerce becomes Product 1 (CNP and MOTO), and rates will be based on the card type being used, and CPS Retail becomes Product 2. 

Note: Visa, MasterCard, and Discover have announced additional changes and delays to some of the previously announced Interchange Program rate changes. This article will be updated with the latest information regarding these rate changes/delays as they become available to Qualpay.

Below are the details of the changes as follows:

  • Visa - Existing Interchange Programs
  • Visa - New Interchange Programs. Visa also introduced new Interchange programs that are industry-specific
  • MasterCard - Existing Interchange Programs
  • MasterCard - New Interchange Program
  • Discover - Existing Interchange Programs
  • American Express - New Interchange Programs

There are additional Visa Specific New MCC programs introduced on April 16, 2021. These programs relate to the following MCCs:

  • Advertising - 7311
    Education - 8211, 8220, 8241, 8244, 8249, 8299, 8351
  • Healthcare - 0742, 4119, 7277, 8011, 8021, 8031, 8041, 8042, 8043, 8049, 8050, 8062, 8071, 8099
  • Insurance - 5960, 6300
  • Real Estate - 6513 
  • Restaurant - 5812, 5814 
  • Services - 0763, 0780, 1520, 1711, 1731, 1740, 1750, 1761, 1771, 1799, 2741, 2791, 2842, 4214, 4215, 4225,4816, 4821, 5074, 5552, 5697, 5969, 5975, 5976, 5983, 5996, 5997, 7210, 7211, 7216, 7217, 7221, 7230, 7251, 7261, 7273, 7276, 7278, 7297, 7298, 7321, 7333, 7338, 7339, 7342, 7349, 7361, 7372, 7375, 7379, 7392, 7393, 7395, 7399, 7523, 7531,7534, 7535, 7538, 7542, 7549, 7622, 7623, 7629, 7631, 7641, 7692, 7699, 8111, 8641, 8931, 8999
  • Travel - 3000-3350, 3351-3500, 3501-3999, 4112, 4411, 4511, 4722, 7011, 7512, 7513


Visa - Existing Interchange Programs

View the Interchange Programs available before April 16, 2021, in the table below, along with the changes applied as of this date.

Interchange ProgramChange StatusRate Prior to April 16, 2021Rate as of April 16, 2021
Non-Qualified Consumer Credit*No Change to Existing Program Rate
Corporate Card Fuel - Level 2Program Rate Change2.05% + $0.102.20% + $0.10
Purchasing Card Fuel - Level 2Program Rate Change2.05% + $0.102.20% + $0.10
Non-Qualified Business CreditProgram Rate Change2.95% + $0.203.15% + $0.20
US Business Tier 1 TravelProgram Rate Change2.40% + $0.102.35% + $0.10
US Business Tier 2 TravelProgram Rate Change2.75% + $0.152.50% + $0.10
US Business Tier 3 TravelProgram Rate Change2.85% + $0.202.55% + $0.10
US Business Tier 4 TravelProgram Rate Change2.95% + $0.202.65% + $0.10
US Business Tier 5 TravelProgram Rate Change2.95% + $0.202.70% + $0.10
US Business Tier 1 Product 1Program Rate Change2.25% + $0.102.65% + $0.10
US Business Tier 2 Product 1Program Rate Change2.45% + $0.152.80% + $0.10
US Business Tier 3 Product 1Program Rate Change2.60% + $0.202.85% + $0.10
US Business Tier 4 Product 1Program Rate Change2.70% + $0.202.95% + $0.10
US Business Tier 5 Product 1Program Rate Change2.70% + $0.203.00% + $0.10
US Business Tier 1 Product 2Program Rate Change2.20% + $0.101.90% + $0.10
US Business Tier 2 Product 2Program Rate Change2.30% + $0.102.05% + $0.10
US Business Tier 3 Product 2Program Rate Change2.40% + $0.102.10% + $0.10
US Business Tier 4 Product 2Program Rate Change2.50% + $0.102.20% + $0.10
US Business Tier 5 Product 2Program Rate Change2.50% + $0.102.25% + $0.10
US Business Tier 1 Level 2Program Rate Change2.05% + $0.101.90% + $0.10
US Business Tier 3 Level 2Program Rate Change2.05% + $0.102.10% + $0.10
US Business Tier 5 Level 2Program Rate Change2.20% + $0.102.25% + $0.10
CPS Small Ticket (Traditional/Rewards)Program Rate Change1.65% + $0.041.90% (min $0.04)
CPS Small Ticket (Signature/Infinite)Program Rate Change1.65% + $0.042.20% (min $0.04)
CPS Small Ticket (Sig Preferred/Infinite High Spend)Program Rate ChangeN/A2.20% (min $0.04)
CPS Retail 2 CreditRetired
CPS Ecommerce Preferred CreditRetired
CPS Service Station CreditRetired
CPS Account Funding CreditRetired
CPS Retail CreditRetired
CPS Hotel Card Present CreditRetired
CPS Hotel Card Not Present - all programs CreditRetired
CPS Card Not Present (CNP) CreditRetired
CPS E-Commerce Basic CreditRetired
CPS Key Entered CreditRetired
CPS Restaurant CreditRetired
CPS Rewards 1Retired
CPS Rewards 2Retired
US Signature Preferred ElectronicRetired
US Signature Preferred Card Not Present (CNP)Retired
US Signature Preferred RetailRetired
US Signature Preferred B2BRetired
US Signature Preferred FuelRetired
US High Net Worth (Infinite) ElectronicRetired
US High Net Worth (Infinite) Card Not Present (CNP)Retired
US High Net Worth (Infinite) RetailRetired
US High Net Worth (Infinite) B2BRetired
US High Net Worth FuelRetired
CPS Charity & Religious Orgs CreditNo Change to Existing Program Rate
CPS Government CreditNo Change to Existing Program Rate
CPS Utility CreditNo Change to Existing Program Rate

*Previously announced rate change for this category has been delayed by Visa until further notice.


Visa - New Interchange Programs

View the new Interchange Programs available after April 16, 2021, in the table below. If your business is classified in one of the MCC’s at the top of the page, please review Interchange Programs that are industry-specific, and the below table will apply to transactions outside the criteria specified for the MCC industry Program.

Note that Visa Customer Payment Service (CPS) card-not-present (CNP) and CPS e-Commerce is replaced by Product 1 (CNP and MOTO) and is based on the card type being used. CPS Retail or card-present is replaced by Product 2.

Card Program TypeInterchange ProgramRate as of April 16, 2021
Card-not-present - Product 1
Traditional*VT Product 11.80% + $0.10
Traditional Rewards*VTR Product 11.95% + $0.10
Signature, Infinite (Spend not-qualified)*VIN Product 11.95% + $0.10
Signature Preferred, Infinite (Spend-qualified)*VSP VIQ Product 12.40% + $0.10
Card Present  - Product 2
TraditionalVT Product 21.51% + $0.10
Traditional RewardsVTR Product 21.65% + $0.10
Signature, Infinite (Spend not-qualified)VIN Product 21.65% + $0.10
Signature Preferred, Infinite (Spend-qualified)VSP VIQ Product 22.10% + $0.10

*Previously announced rates for these programs have changed.


Mastercard

The Interchange Program rate changes previously announced by MasterCard for the programs listed in the table below have been delayed until further notice.

Interchange ProgramChange StatusRate as of April 16, 2021
MC Convenience Purchase CreditNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Convenience Purchase WorldNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Convenience Purchase EnhancedNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Convenience Purchase World EliteNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Convenience Purchase High ValueNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC UtilitiesNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Utilities WorldNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Utilities EnhancedNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Full and Merchant UCAFNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Full and Merchant UCAF WorldNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Full and Merchant UCAF EnhancedNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Full and Merchant UCAF World EliteNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Full and Merchant UCAF High ValueNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Key EnteredNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Key Entered WorldNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Key Entered EnhancedNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Key Entered World EliteNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Key Entered High ValueNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Travel Industries Premier Service CreditNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Travel Industries Premier EnhancedNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit 1No Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit 1 WorldNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit 1 EnhancedNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit 1 World EliteNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit 1 High ValueNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit 1 Real EstateNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit 1 Real Estate WorldNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit 1 Real Estate EnhancedNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit 1 Real Estate DebitNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit 1 Insurance World EliteNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit 1 Insurance High ValueNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit IIINo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit III WorldNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit III EnhancedNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit III World EliteNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Merit III High ValueNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Restaurant WorldNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Restaurant World EliteNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Restaurant High ValueNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC StandardNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Standard WorldNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Standard EnhancedNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Standard World EliteNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC Standard High ValueNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC T&E WorldNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC T&E World EliteNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC T&E High ValueNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC T&E World Elite Large TicketNo Change to Existing Program Rate
MC T&E High-Value Large TicketNo Change to Existing Program Rate


MasterCard - New Interchange Programs

View the Interchange Programs available before April 16, 2021, in the table below, along with the changes applied as of this date.

The following new MasterCard Programs apply only to qualifying transactions of $5 and below.

Interchange ProgramRate as of April 16, 2021
MC Small Ticket CP*1.58% + $0.10
MC Small Ticket CP World*1.77% + $0.10
MC Small Ticket CP Enhanced*1.73% + $0.10
MC Small Ticket CP World High Value*2.20% + $0.10
MC Small Ticket CP World Elite*2.20% + $0.10
MC Small Ticket CNP*1.89% + $0.10
MC Small Ticket CNP World*2.05% + $0.10
MC Small Ticket CNP Enhanced*2.04% + $0.10
MC Small Ticket CNP World High Value*2.50% + $0.10
MC Small Ticket CNP World Elite*2.50% + $0.10

*Previously announced rates for these programs have changed.


Discover - Existing Interchange Programs

View the Interchange Programs available prior to April 16, 2021, in the table below, along with the changes applied as of this date. The Interchange rate changes previously announced by Discover in the table below have been delayed until further notice.

Interchange ProgramChange StatusRate as of April 16, 2021
DS PSL Retail Core*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Retail Rewards*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Retail Premium*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Retail Premium Plus*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Retail Prepaid*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Restaurants Debit*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Restaurants Prepaid*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Emerging Markets Rewards*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Emerging Markets Premium*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Express Services Premium*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Hotels Rewards*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Hotels Premium Plus*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Key Entry Core*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Key Entry Rewards*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Key Entry Premium*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Key Entry Premium Plus*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL Card Not Present (CNP) Core*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL CNP Rewards*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL CNP Premium*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL CNP Premium Plus*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL CNP Prepaid*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL E-Commerce Core*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL E-Commerce Rewards*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL ECommerce Premium*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL ECommerce Premium Plus*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS PSL E-Commerce Prepaid*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS E-Commerce Secured Core*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS E-Commerce Secured Rewards*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS E-Commerce Secured Premium*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS E-Commerce Secured Premium Plus*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS Base Submission Level Core*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS Base Submission Level Rewards*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS Base Submission Level Premium*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS Base Submission Level Premium Plus*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS Commercial Electronic Submission*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS Commercial Electronic Submission Debit*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS Commercial Electronic Submission Prepaid*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS Commercial Base Submission*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS Commercial Base Submission Debit*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS Commercial Base Submission Prepaid*No Change to Existing Program Rate
DS Mid Submission Level RewardsRetired
DS Mid Submission Level DebitRetired
DS Mid Submission Level PremiumRetired
DS Mid Submission Level CoreRetired
DS Mid Submission Level Premium PlusRetired
DS Mid Submission Level PrepaidRetired
DS Mid Submission Level Debit RegulatedRetired
DS Mid Submission Level Prepaid RegulatedRetired

*Previously announced rate change for this category has been delayed by Discover until further notice.


American Express - New Interchange Programs

View the new American Express Interchange Programs available after April 16, 2021, in the table below. 

Interchange ProgramRate (as of 4/16/21)
AM B2B/Wholesale Consumer Debit0.99% + $.015
AM B2B/Wholesale Consumer Debit Regulated0.04% + $.025
AM B2B/Wholesale Small Business Debit1.94% + $0.10
AM B2B/Wholesale Small Business Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Education Consumer Debit0.79% + $0.15
AM Education Consumer Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Education Small Business Debit1.99% + $0.10
AM Education Small Business Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Emerging Market Consumer Debit0.79% + $0.15
AM Emerging Market Consumer Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Emerging Market Small Business Debit1.99% + $0.10
AM Emerging Market Small Business Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Government Consumer Debit0.79% + $0.15
AM Government Consumer Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Government Small Business Debit1.99% + $0.10
AM Government Small Business Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Healthcare Consumer Debit0.99% + $0.15
AM Healthcare Consumer Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Healthcare Small Business Debit1.94% + $0.10
AM Healthcare Small Business Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Restaurant Consumer Debit1.29% + $0.10
AM Restaurant Consumer Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Restaurant Small Business Debit1.99% + $0.10
AM Restaurant Small Business Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Retail Consumer Debit0.99% + $0.15
AM Retail Consumer Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Retail Small Business Debit1.94% + $0.10
AM Retail Small Business Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Service/Professional Consumer Debit0.99% + $0.15
AM Service/Professional Consumer Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Service/Professional Small Business Debit1.94% + $0.10
AM Service/Professional Small Business Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM T&E Consumer Debit1.19% + $0.15
AM T&E Consumer Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM T&E Small Business Debit1.99% + $0.10
AM T&E Small Business Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Other Consumer Debit0.99% + $0.10
AM Other Consumer Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25
AM Other Small Business Debit1.94% + $0.10
AM Other Small Business Debit Regulated0.04% + $0.25