UK card payment fees explained for hospitality

The percentage of every in-person transaction the acquirer keeps. For UK hospitality this is usually between 1.19% and 2.5% depending on volume and the provider's pricing model. This is the single biggest line item on most statements and the one most worth comparing.

Higher than card-present — typically 2.5–2.9% — because the card never touches a chip reader. Applies to any payment taken without the physical card present (online orders, pre-orders, phone bookings).

American Express is processed separately and almost always at a higher rate (around 2.9%). Some providers list it on the statement as a separate line; some bundle it into the headline rate. About 5% of UK hospitality transactions are AmEx, so this matters less than people think — but worth knowing.

A flat monthly charge for being on the platform, regardless of volume. Flat-rate providers (SumUp, Square, Zettle) usually don't charge one. Traditional acquirers usually do, in the £15–30/month range.

You either buy the terminal (£19–£299 typical) or rent it (£18–£40/month). Buying tends to work out cheaper over a 24-month horizon, but rental wraps support and replacement into the monthly cost — worth it for some operators.

On the traditional acquirers (Worldpay, takepayments, Clover): the headline card-present rate, the monthly service fee, and the terminal rental are all negotiable, especially above £25k/month volume. Flat-rate providers don't negotiate — the price is the price.

Total monthly cost at your specific volume, settlement speed (next-day vs 2–3 day vs weekly affects cash flow), and contract length. Don't compare on headline rate alone — the fees around it can swing the total by hundreds a month.