What's VISA & MasterCard's position on min/max purchase, ID req, and surcharge?

[Need More RWHP]

When you ask a random police officer if it's legal to run straight through red, I don't think you'll find one who will say "yes it is".

 

Similarly, if you ask if it's ok to leave the back of the credit card unsigned, likely all CSRs will say "no" because they've been trained to say so.

 

Many here have experienced that despite the regulations in MC/VISA bylaws, have been told by their very own CSRs that merchants can require ID if they want and have been given vague answer regarding surcharge, minimum, maximum purchase.

 

I called American Express CS the other day

Me "I was told they can't take my card without ID, I understand Amex policy required it to be treated the same as VISA/MasterCard and they prohibit requiring ID. "

 

AMEX "It's up to the merchant"

 

Me "so they can refuse to take my AMEX for not showing ID?"

 

AMEX "Yes they can sir, it's also up to merchant to decide what form of ID is adequate"

 

VISA basically tells you they don't really want to hear about it and tells you to complain to your issuing bank.

 

Are they something that's in the book, yet something they wish to keep quiet about and play ignorant and unenforced, just like going a few mph the speed limit?

 

It's obvious they make zero effort to make it known. The WELCOME paperwork and pamphlet certainly don't say a thing about it.

[hurricanesfans27]

when it comes to minimum and maximum purchases or surcharges .. some states like my own have laws that make it a misdemeanor. and yes I have filed on one business for charging a surcharge

[Need More RWHP]

We know the rules and get all excited about it, but how come nobody has answer to this question?

When you get a credit card, none of their information sheets make a conspicuous effort to educate cardholders about right to refuse ID, prohibition for merchants to set a minimum purchase(restaurants and such)/maximum purchase(car dealers and such) or add a surcharge.

 

Why is this?

Edited February 17, 2008 by Need More RWHP

[azntg]

Probably because they don't care as long as they are making $$$. Sounds reasonable?

[Continental]

I understand Amex policy required it to be treated the same as VISA/MasterCard and they prohibit requiring ID.

Exactly.

 

“American Express’s regulations do not explicitly prohibit minimum charges, but its policy is to discourage any merchant practices that create a “barrier to acceptance.†Amex does prohibit “discrimination†against the Amex card, however, so if a merchant has no minimum or maximum charge or require ID for Visa and MasterCard, the merchant may not discriminate against Amex by imposing a minimum or maximum charge or requiring ID.â€

 

Report violations to:

 

American Express

Make a report online: http://americanexpress.com/yourchoice

Phone Number: 1-800-528-4800 (International: 1-336-393-1111)

Mailing Address:

American Express

P.O. Box 297812

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33329-7812

 

Never show ID for signed credit card purchases.

 

No ID required for signed credit card purchases.

 

Make sure your community is 100% violation-free.

[Need More RWHP]

I understand Amex policy required it to be treated the same as VISA/MasterCard and they prohibit requiring ID.

Exactly.

 

“American Express’s regulations do not explicitly prohibit minimum charges, but its policy is to discourage any merchant practices that create a “barrier to acceptance.†Amex does prohibit “discrimination†against the Amex card, however, so if a merchant has no minimum or maximum charge or require ID for Visa and MasterCard, the merchant may not discriminate against Amex by imposing a minimum or maximum charge or requiring ID.â€

 

Report violations to:

 

American Express

Make a report online: http://americanexpress.com/yourchoice

Phone Number: 1-800-528-4800 (International: 1-336-393-1111)

Mailing Address:

American Express

P.O. Box 297812

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33329-7812

 

Never show ID for signed credit card purchases.

 

No ID required for signed credit card purchases.

 

Make sure your community is 100% violation-free.

 

 

Thanks for canned recitation but it doesn't address my question.