April 2022 Card Interchange Program Changes

Effective April 22, 2022, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are amending their Interchange Programs. These changes include new programs and rate changes for existing programs. Visa is introducing an interchange program to support small businesses that process less than $250,000 in annual Visa Consumer Credit Card volume. They are also introducing an interchange program to support token and non-token transactions. The definition of how Card Brands refer to tokens is provided below.

Token transactions that will qualify for the new Visa Token Interchange programs/rates are payment cards tokenized by the Card Brands (Visa in this case).  These tokens replace the primary account number and other card details with a token from the Card Brand. These tokens are used throughout the entire lifecycle of the transaction, so the card data is not exposed at rest or in transit. These are often called Network tokens. A common example of a Network token is a token used in a digital wallet transaction like Google Pay.  

Unlike Network tokens, Security tokens are issued for protecting card data (often at rest) for recurring payments or one-click payments and are commonly issued by a payment service provider or acquirer. Security tokens will not currently qualify for the new Token Interchange Rates. If you are tokenizing with Qualpay, think of these as Security tokens.  

Below are the details of the changes as follows:

  • Visa - Existing Interchange Programs
  • Visa - New Interchange Programs. Visa also introduced new Non-Token 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 for non-token transactions as of April 22, 2022. 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
  • 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


Visa - Existing Interchange Programs

Visa has announced changes to the current Interchange Programs listed in the table below as of April 22, 2022. If not mentioned in the table below, the rate is unchanged from the current program rate.

Interchange ProgramChange StatusRate prior to April 22, 2022Rate as of April 22, 2022
Non-Qualified Consumer CreditProgram Rate Change2.70% + $0.103.15% + $0.10
VS VT Product 1 Non-TokenProgram Rate Change1.80% + $0.101.89% + $0.10
VS VTR Product 1 Non-TokenProgram Rate Change1.95% + $0.102.04% + $0.10
VS VIN Product 1 Non-TokenProgram Rate Change1.95% + $0.102.05% + $0.10
VS VSP VIQ Product 1 Non-TokenProgram Rate Change2.40% + $0.102.50% + $0.10
VS CBPS VTProgram Rate Change1.80% + $0.101.89% + $0.10
VS CBPS VTRProgram Rate Change1.95% + $0.102.04% + $0.10
VS CBPS VS VINProgram Rate Change1.95% + $0.102.05% + $0.10
VS CBPS VSP VIQProgram Rate Change2.40% + $0.102.50% + $0.10


Visa - New Interchange Programs

View the new Interchange Programs available after April 22, 2022, in the table below. If your business is classified in one of the MCCs at the top of the page, please review the April 2022 MCC Specific Card Interchange Program Changes article and the below table will apply to transactions outside the criteria specified for the MCC industry Program.

Visa Small Merchant Product 1 Fee Program 

Less than $250,000 in annual Visa Consumer Credit Card Volume

Must meet all other requirements for existing Product 1 programs (Travel, Charity and Religious Organizations, Utility, and Government Segment Programs not eligible).

Card Program Type
Interchange Program
Rate as of April 22, 2022
Visa Traditional
VS Small Merchant VT Product 1
1.58% +  $0.10
Visa Traditional Rewards
VS Small Merchant VTR Product 1
1.73% + $0.10
Visa Signature & Infinite (Spend not-qualified)
VS Small Merchant VIN Product 1
1.73% + $0.10
Visa Signature Preferred & Infinite (Spend - qualified)
VS Small Merchant VSP VIQ Product 1
2.18% + $0.10  

Visa Small Merchant Product 2 Fee Program 

Less than $250,000 in annual Visa Consumer Credit Card Volume

Must meet all other requirements for existing Product 2 programs (Travel, Charity and Religious Organizations, Utility, and Government Segment programs not eligible).

Visa Traditional
VS Small Merchant VT Product 2
1.29% +  $0.10
Visa Traditional Rewards
VS Small Merchant VTR Product 2
1.43% + $0.10
Visa Signature & Infinite (Spend not-qualified)
VS Small Merchant VIN Product 2
1.43% + $0.10
Visa Signature Preferred & Infinite (Spend - qualified)
VS Small Merchant VSP VIQ Product 2
1.88% + $0.10
Visa Product 1 With Token

Must meet all other requirements for the existing Product 1 programs.

Visa Traditional
VS VT Product 1 Token
1.80% +  $0.10
Visa Traditional Rewards
VS VTR Product 1 Token
1.95% + $0.10
Visa Signature & Infinite (Spend not-qualified)
VS VIN Product 1 Token
1.95% + $0.10
Visa Signature Preferred & Infinite (Spend - qualified)
VS VSP VIQ Product 1 Token
2.40% + $0.10
Visa Utility Consumer/Commercial Debit and Prepaid card programs, non-regulated, for recurring Bill Payment transactions

Must be approved for the Visa Utility program and send appropriate Bill Payment specific data.

Consumer Debit or Prepaid/non-regulated
VS Utility Recurring Payment DB/PPD
0% + 0.45
Business Debit or Prepaid/non-regulated
VS Utility Recurring Payment Bus DB/PPD
0% + 0.75


Mastercard - Existing Interchange Programs

Mastercard has announced changes to the existing Interchange Programs listed in the table below as of April 22, 2022.   If not mentioned in the table below, the rate is unchanged from the current program rate.

Interchange ProgramChange StatusRate prior to April 22, 2022
Rate as of April 22, 2022
MC Consumer Credit Utilities
Program Rate Change
0.00% + $0.65
0.00% + $0.75
MC Convenience Purchase Credit
Program Rate Change
1.90% + $0.00
1.65% + $0.04
MC Enhanced Convenience Purchase Base
Program Rate Change
1.90% + $0.00
1.80% + $0.04
MC Enhanced Full UCAF
Program Rate Change
2.04% + $0.10
2.10% + $0.10
MC Enhanced Key Entered
Program Rate Change
2.04% + $0.10
2.10% + $0.10
MC Enhanced Lodging & Auto Rental
Program Rate Change
1.80% + $0.10
1.75% + $0.10
MC Enhanced Merit 1
Program Rate Change
2.04% + $0.10
2.10% + $0.10
MC Enhanced Merit 1 Day Care
Program Rate Change
2.05% + $0.10
1.60% + $0.10
MC Enhanced Merit 1 Real Estate
Program Rate Change
1.10% + $0.00
1.43% + $0.05
MC Enhanced Merit III Base
Program Rate Change
1.73% + $0.10
1.80% + $0.10
MC Enhanced Passenger Transport
Program Rate Change
1.90% + $0.10
1.75% + $0.10
MC Enhanced Small Ticket Card Not Present
Program Rate Change
2.04% + $0.10
2.10% + $0.02
MC Enhanced Small Ticket Card Present
Program Rate Change1.73% + $0.10
1.80% + $0.02
MC Enhanced Standard
Program Rate Change
2.95% + $0.10
3.15% + $0.10
MC Enhanced Supermarket Base
Program Rate Change
1.48% + $0.10
1.60% + $0.10
MC Enhanced Utilities
Program Rate Change
0.00% + $0.65
0.00% + $0.75
MC Full UCAF
Program Rate Change
1.89% + $0.10
1.95% + $0.10
MC High Value Airline
Program Rate Change
2.30% + $0.10
2.55% + $0.10
MC High Value Convenience Purchase Base
Program Rate Change
2.00% + $0.00
2.30% + $0.04
MC High Value Full UCAF
Program Rate Change
2.50% + $0.10
2.60% + $0.10
MC High Value Key Entered
Program Rate Change
2.50% + $0.10
2.60% + $0.10
MC High Value Merchant UCAF
Program Rate Change
2.50% + $0.10
2.60% + $0.10
MC High Value Merit 1
Program Rate Change
2.50% + $0.10
2.60% + $0.10
MC High Value Merit 1 Insurance
Program Rate Change
2.20% + $0.10
2.25% + $0.10
MC High Value Merit III Base
Program Rate Change
2.20% + $0.10
2.30% + $0.10
MC High Value Restaurant
Program Rate Change
2.20% + $0.10
2.00% + $0.10
MC High Value Small Ticket Card Not Present
Program Rate Change
2.50% + $0.10
2.60% + $0.02
MC High Value Small Ticket Card Present
Program Rate Change
2.20% + $0.10
2.30% + $0.02
MC High Value Standard
Program Rate Change
3.25% + $0.10
3.15% + $0.10
MC High Value Supermarket Base
Program Rate Change
1.90% + $0.10
2.10% + $0.10
MC High Value T&E
Program Rate Change
2.75% + $0.10
2.55% + $0.10
MC High Value T&E Large Ticket
Program Rate Change
2.00% + $0.00
2.55% + $0.00
MC High Value T&E Large Ticket
Program Rate Change
2.00% + $0.00
2.55% + $0.00
MC Key Entered Credit
Program Rate Change
1.89% + $0.10
1.95% + $0.10
MC Lodging & Auto Rental CR
Program Rate Change
1.58% + $0.10
1.65% + $0.10
MC Merchant UCAF
Program Rate Change
2.05% + $0.10
2.20% + $0.10
MC Merit 1 Credit
Program Rate Change
1.89% + $0.10
1.95% + $0.10
MC Merit 1 Day Care
Program Rate Change
1.89% + $0.10
1.60% + $0.10
MC Merit 1 Debit Real Estate
Program Rate Change
1.10% + $0.00
0.80% + $0.25
MC Merit 1 Real Estate
Program Rate Change
1.10% + $0.00
1.43% + $0.05
MC Merit 1 Real Estate CAP Debit
Program Rate Change
1.10% + $0.00
0.00% + $5.00
MC Merit 3 Prepaid
Program Rate Change
1.05% + $0.02
1.15% + $0.15
MC Merit III Credit
Program Rate Change
1.58% + $0.10
1.65% + $0.10
MC Passenger Transport Credit
Program Rate Change
1.75% + $0.10
1.65% + $0.10
MC Small Ticket Card Not Present
Program Rate Change
1.89% + $0.10
1.95% + $0.02
MC Small Ticket Card Present
Program Rate Change
1.58% + $0.10
1.65% + $0.02
MC Standard Domestic Fees Credit
Program Rate Change
2.95% + $0.10
3.15% + $0.10
MC Supermarket Credit
Program Rate Change
1.48% + $0.10
1.45% + $0.10
MC World Convenience Purchase Base
Program Rate Change
2.00% + $0.00
1.90% + $0.04
MC World Elite Airline
Program Rate Change
2.30% + $0.10
2.55% + $0.10
MC World Elite Full UCAF
Program Rate Change
2.50% + $0.10
2.60% + $0.10
MC World Elite Key Entered
Program Rate Change
2.50% + $0.10
2.60% + $0.10
MC World Elite Merchant UCAF
Program Rate Change
2.50% + $0.10
2.60% + $0.10
MC World Elite Merit 1
Program Rate Change
2.50% + $0.10
2.60% + $0.10
MC World Elite Merit 1 Insurance
Program Rate Change
2.20% + $0.10
2.25% + $0.10
MC World Elite Merit III Base
Program Rate Change
2.20% + $0.10
2.30% + $0.10
MC World Elite Purchase Base
Program Rate Change
2.00% + $0.00
2.30% + $0.04
MC World Elite Restaurant
Program Rate Change
2.20% + $0.10
2.00% + $0.10
MC World Elite Small Ticket Card Not Present
Program Rate Change
2.50% + $0.10
2.60% + $0.02
MC World Elite Small Ticket Card Present
Program Rate Change
2.20% + $0.10
2.30% + $0.02
MC World Elite Standard
Program Rate Change
3.25% + $0.10
3.15% + $0.10
MC World Elite Supermarket Base
Program Rate Change
1.90% + $0.10
2.10% + $0.10
MC World Elite T&E
Program Rate Change
2.75% + $0.10
2.55% + $0.10
MC World Full UCAF
Program Rate Change
2.05% + $0.10
2.20% + $0.10
MC World Key Entered
Program Rate Change
2.05% + $0.10
2.20% + $0.10
MC World Merit 1
Program Rate Change
2.05% + $0.10
2.20% + $0.10
MC World Merit 1 Day Care
Program Rate Change
2.04% + $0.10
1.60% + $0.10
MC World Merit 1 Real Estate
Program Rate Change
1.10% + $0.00
1.43% + $0.05
MC World Merit III Base
Program Rate Change
1.77% + $0.10
1.90% + $0.10
MC World Restaurant
Program Rate Change
1.73% + $0.10
1.85% + $0.10
MC World Small Ticket Card Not Present
Program Rate Change
2.05% + $0.10
2.20% + $0.02
MC World Small Ticket Card Present
Program Rate Change
1.77% + $0.10
1.90% + $0.02
MC World Standard
Program Rate Change
2.95% + $0.10
3.15% + $0.10
MC World Supermarket Base
Program Rate Change
1.58% + $0.10
1.70% + $0.10
MC World T&E
Program Rate Change
2.30% + $0.10
2.25% + $0.10
MC World Utilities
Program Rate Change
0.00% + $0.65
0.00% + $0.75


MasterCard - New Interchange Programs

View the new Mastercard Interchange Programs available as of April 22, 2022, in the table below.  Mastercard is introducing new Interchange Programs for Consumer Interregional (non-US-issued cards).  These are replacing existing programs.

Interchange ProgramRate as of April 22, 2022
MC Consumer Rate 1 - Digital Commerce Core
1.60%
MC Consumer Rate 1 - Digital Commerce Prem
1.85%
MC Consumer Rate 1 - Digital Commerce Super Prem
1.98%
MC Consumer Rate 2 - Card Present Core
1.10%
MC Consumer Rate 2 - Card Present Premium
1.85%
MC Consumer Rate 2 - Card Present Super Premium
1.98%
MC Consumer Rate 3 - Base Core
1.60%
MC Consumer Rate 3 - Base Premium
1.85%
MC Consumer Rate 3 - Base Super Premium1.98%


Discover - Existing Interchange Programs

Discover has announced changes to the existing Interchange Programs listed in the table below as of April 22, 2022.

Interchange ProgramChange StatusRate prior to April 22, 2022
Rate as of April 22, 2022
DS PSL Retail CoreProgram Rate Change
1.56% + $0.10
1.57% + $0.10
DS PSL Retail RewardsProgram Rate Change
1.71% + $0.10
1.72% + $0.10
DS PSL Retail PremiumProgram Rate Change
1.71% + $0.10
1.74% + $0.10
DS PSL Retail Premium PlusProgram Rate Change
2.15% + $0.10
2.17% + $0.10
DS PSL Retail PrepaidProgram Rate Change
1.10% + $0.16
1.12% + $0.16
DS PSL Restaurants DebitProgram Rate Change
1.10% + $0.16
1.14% + $0.15
DS PSL Restaurants PrepaidProgram Rate Change
1.10% + $0.16
1.14% + $0.15
DS PSL Emerging Markets RewardsProgram Rate Change
1.45% + $0.05
1.50% + $0.05
DS PSL Emerging Markets PremiumProgram Rate Change
1.45% + $0.05
1.50% + $0.05
DS PSL Express Services PremiumProgram Rate Change
1.95% + $0.00
1.97% + $0.00
DS PSL Hotels RewardsProgram Rate Change
1.90% + $0.10
1.92% + $0.10
DS PSL Hotels Premium PlusProgram Rate Change
2.40% + $0.10
2.57% + $0.10
DS PSL Key Entry CoreProgram Rate Change
1.89% + $0.10
1.91% + $0.10
DS PSL Key Entry RewardsProgram Rate Change
2.00% + $0.10
2.03% + $0.10
DS PSL Key Entry PremiumProgram Rate Change
2.00% + $0.10
2.05% + $0.10
DS PSL Key Entry Premium PlusProgram Rate Change
2.40% + $0.10
2.50% + $0.10
DS PSL Card Not Present (CNP) CoreProgram Rate Change
1.89% + $0.10
1.91% + $0.10
DS PSL CNP RewardsProgram Rate Change
2.00% + $0.10
2.03% + $0.10
DS PSL CNP PremiumProgram Rate Change
2.00% + $0.10
2.05% + $0.10
DS PSL CNP Premium PlusProgram Rate Change
2.40% + $0.10
2.50% + $0.10
DS PSL CNP PrepaidProgram Rate Change
1.75% + $0.20
1.76% + $0.20
DS PSL E-Commerce CoreProgram Rate Change
1.89% + $0.10
1.91% + $0.10
DS PSL E-Commerce RewardsProgram Rate Change
2.00% + $0.10
2.03% + $0.10
DS PSL ECommerce PremiumProgram Rate Change
2.00% +$0.10
2.05% + $0.10
DS PSL ECommerce Premium PlusProgram Rate Change
2.40% + $0.10
2.50% + $0.10
DS PSL E-Commerce PrepaidProgram Rate Change

1.75% + $0.20
1.76% + $0.20
DS E-Commerce Secured CoreProgram Rate Change

1.89% + $0.10
1.80% + $0.10
DS E-Commerce Secured RewardsProgram Rate Change

2.00% + $0.10
1.90% + $0.10
DS E-Commerce Secured PremiumProgram Rate Change

2.00% + $0.10
1.95% + $0.10
DS E-Commerce Secured Premium PlusProgram Rate Change

2.40% + $0.10
2.35% + $0.10
DS Base Submission Level CoreProgram Rate Change

2.95% + $0.10
3.05% + $0.10
DS Base Submission Level RewardsProgram Rate Change

2.95% + $0.10
3.05% + $0.10
DS Base Submission Level PremiumProgram Rate Change

2.95% + $0.10
3.05% + $0.10
DS Base Submission Level Premium PlusProgram Rate Change

2.95% + $0.10
3.05% + $0.10
DS Commercial Electronic SubmissionProgram Rate Change

2.30% + $0.10
2.45% + $0.10
DS Commercial Electronic Submission DebitProgram Rate Change

2.30% + $0.10
2.45% + $0.10
DS Commercial Electronic Submission PrepaidProgram Rate Change

2.30% + $0.10
2.45% + $0.10
DS Commercial Base SubmissionProgram Rate Change

2.95% + $0.10
3.05% + $0.10
DS Commercial Base Submission DebitProgram Rate Change

2.95% + $0.10
3.05% + $0.10
DS Commercial Base Submission PrepaidProgram Rate Change

2.95% + $0.10
3.05% + $0.10

Discover - New Interchange Programs

View the new Discover Interchange Programs available as of April 22, 2022, in the table below.  Discover is introducing a new Charity Interchange Program.  Transactions must meet prime submission level (PSL) requirements and have the eligible MCC of 8398.

Interchange Program
Rate as of April 22, 2022
DS Charity Debit
0.90% + $0.20
DS Charity Prepaid
0.90% + $0.20
DS Charity Core
1.45% + $0.05
DS Charity Rewards
1.50% + $0.05
DS Charity Premium
1.50% + $0.05
DS Charity Premium Plus
2.30% + $0.10


American Express - Existing Interchange Programs

American Express has announced program description changes to the existing Interchange Programs listed in the table below as of April 22, 2022.

Current Interchange Program Description
Interchange Program Description Change as of April 22, 2022
AM Restaurant Tier 1
AM Restaurant Small Ticket
AM Restaurant Tier 2
AM Restaurant Tier 1
AM Restaurant Tier 3
AM Restaurant Tier 2
AM Restaurant Tier 4
AM Restaurant Tier 3
AM Service/Prof Serv Tier 1
AM Service/Prof Srvc Small Ticket
AM Service/Prof Serv Tier 2
AM Service/Prof Srvc Tier 1
AM Service/Prof Serv Tier 3
AM Service/Prof Srvc Tier 2
AM Service/Prof Serv Tier 4
AM Service/Prof Srvc Tier 3

American Express has announced updates to the thresholds and rates in the table below as of April 22, 2022.

Current Program
Current Threshold Amounts
New Threshold Amounts April 2022
Current Rate
New Rate as of April 22, 2022
AM Service / Prof Srvc Small Ticket
$5.01 - $15.00
No Change
1.60% + $0.04
No Change
AM Service / Prof Srvc Tier 1
$15.01 - $250.00
$15.01 - $150.00
1.70% + $0.10
1.65% + $0.10
AM Service / Prof Srvc Tier 2
$250.01 - $3,000.00
$150.01 - $3,000.00
2.00% + $0.10
No Change
AM Service / Prof Srvc Tier 3
> $3,000.00
No Change
2.40% + $0.10
No Change