Merchant Statements and Statement Analysis
How can I tell whether a statement uses interchange-plus pricing?
Determining whether your merchant statement uses interchange-plus pricing is essential for understanding your processing fees and optimizing your payment costs. Interchange-plus pricing separates the interchange fees set by card networks from the processor’s markup, providing transparency and often lower overall fees.
How to Identify Interchange-Plus Pricing on Your Merchant Statement
Most merchant statements will explicitly state if they use interchange-plus pricing, but the terminology and layout can vary between processors. Look for clear breakdowns of interchange fees and a separate processor markup or markup percentage. Unlike tiered pricing, interchange-plus statements list the actual interchange rates charged by Visa, Mastercard, and other card networks.
Key Features of Interchange-Plus Pricing on Statements
- Separate line items for interchange fees and processor markup
- Interchange fees matching those published by card networks
- Processor markup shown as a fixed fee or percentage above interchange
- Detailed transaction-level fee breakdowns
- No bundled or tiered fee categories
If your statement is unclear, you can scan your PDF statement using Merchant Statement Scanner. This tool analyzes your fees and highlights whether your pricing model is interchange-plus or another type. It also helps identify hidden fees and opportunities to reduce costs.
Next Steps to Confirm Your Pricing Model
Review your merchant statement for the features listed above. If you’re still unsure, upload your PDF statement to Merchant Statement Scanner for a detailed analysis. Understanding your pricing model empowers you to negotiate better rates and optimize your payment processing expenses.
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