Super Creatures posted...Going off of what SierraRei mentioned, $5 (USD) is about the break even point for credit card transactions, which is why that is the typical minimum purchase amount for a credit card transaction, when a merchant requires one.
So even 80 points ($1 USD) would cost them money.
The thing that most merchants don't realize is that if a customer calls Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex they can complain to them that the merchant charges an extra fee or has a minimum amount before a credit card can be accepted.
Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex then contact the merchant and tell them if they don't remove the fee or minimum charge amount they will not let the merchant process any type of card till a fine by them is paid.
Those fees are for the merchant to pay, not the consumer. If a merchant does anything like that they are breaking the agreement they signed to be able to processes debit or credit transactions.
Keep in mind this only applies if a merchant has an item they sell that is under their 'minimum' for credit card transactions. If a merchant only has items available at a certain rate (5 dollars increments of MS point for example), Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex can not be contacted because the merchant is not refusing to accept a card to avoid a fee.
Most common situations where you will run into the right to call Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex is at restaurants, gas station, or corner stores. If you ever run into situation where a merchant is displaying there is a minimum or a fee for credit card use, simply call the card's number and speak to a customer support adviser. They will either contact the credit processors (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex) or speak the the merchant directly and warn them of their actions.
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