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    • Frequently Asked Questions

      Getting Started FAQs

      General Merchant FAQs

      MasterCard PayPass FAQs

      Co-Branded Cards FAQs

      MasterCard SecureCode FAQs

      Getting Started FAQs

      What you need to know about accepting MasterCard cards.
      For new or prospective merchants.

      What is a merchant?

      A merchant is an entity that contracts with an acquirer or member bank to accept card payments for goods or services provided.

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      What is the credit/debit business and how does it work?

      Merchants can accept a MasterCard credit card or a MasterCard debit card. A credit product allows the consumer to make purchases based on an established line of credit received by their card issuing bank. The credit limit is the spending amount established by the issuing bank based on a consumer credit profile. A debit product allows the consumer to make a purchase based on funds available in their bank account. Debit purchases are drawn directly from the consumer's bank account and show up directly on the consumer's monthly bank statement.

      Learn More About How Transactions Work

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      How do I begin accepting MasterCard cards?

      It's easy to get started! The first step in accepting MasterCard cards is to contact an acquirer or a member services provider to apply for a merchant account with a member bank or one of its agents known as a member service provider (MSP). MSPs are third parties contracted by some MasterCard Worldwide member banks to handle merchant services on their behalf and may function as a sales agent for an acquirer.

      Learn More About How to Start Accepting MasterCard

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      Who is an acquirer? And why do I need one?

      Also referred to as a merchant bank an acquirer is a financial institution licensed by MasterCard that helps a merchant in fulfilling its processing obligation to accept MasterCard cards. The acquirer is set up to connect and process transactions over the MasterCard network. Acquirers or MSPs either sell their processing services directly to merchants or hire agents to sell on their behalf. However, these agents must be registered with MasterCard and clearly identify the MasterCard member they represent on their business cards and stationery. The merchant agreement should also have the name of the bank clearly identified.

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      How long does it take before I can start accepting MasterCard cards?

      This depends on your acquirer and the type of business you manage. Usually, you can get set-up to accept MasterCard in less than a month.

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      Will I incur any cost?

      Yes. The costs you will incur will be quoted to you by the acquirer.

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      What is an Interchange Rate?

      MasterCard interchange rates are established by MasterCard, and are fees paid by acquirers to card issuers on purchase transactions conducted on MasterCard cards. Interchange fees are only one of many cost components included in a Merchant Discount Rate, and are a necessary and efficient method by which MasterCard maintains a vibrant payments network.

      Learn More About MasterCard Interchange Rates

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      What are the benefits of accepting MasterCard?

      Whether you're a new business or an established enterprise, card acceptance will likely have a big impact on your bottom line:

      Increased Sales

      Consumers spend more when they're not constrained by cash on hand. You may see increased purchases of higher-margin products as well as specialty items. And customers may visit your store more often.

      Customer Satisfaction

      Your customers will appreciate the fact that you allow them the flexibility to pay the way they want to pay - including by credit or debit card. Happier customers are more loyal customers.

      Speed of Checkout

      You'll speed your customers through checkout with rapid electronic payment. No more counting change or waiting while customers write checks.

      Improved Efficiency

      Card transactions today are conducted electronically. These paperless payments can save you time and money by minimizing cash handling and payment reconciliation, giving you more time to do more important things - like managing and growing your business.

      Safety

      With lower volumes of cash, you're less vulnerable to theft and pilfering.

      Currency Conversion

      Electronic payments on MasterCard and Maestro-branded cards are settled in the currency in which you sell your goods and services, regardless of where the cardholder is from. If you sell in US or Canadian dollars, that's how you'll be paid.

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      Are there any programs that will help to grow my business?

      Depending on the type of merchant business you run, MasterCard has many programs designed to grow your business.

      Find Programs Tailored for Your Business

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      Who do I call if I have a problem with my terminals?

      Contact the acquirer that set you up to accept MasterCard.

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      What type of card programs does MasterCard offer?

      MasterCard provides innovative payment solutions to consumers and companies around the world.

      Learn More About Our Family of Brands

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      General Merchant FAQs

      If your question is not here, please ask it of your card service provider. If you need a card service provider, go to Start Accepting MasterCard

      I am having trouble getting an account to accept MasterCard. What should I do?

      Many service providers have firm guidelines as to what types of businesses they can support and how much risk they can manage. It pays for you to shop around for service or click on "Start Accepting MasterCard" to try to match your needs with a provider's interests.

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      How can I get involved in electronic commerce?

      Today, many merchant service providers can assist you in accepting cards over the Internet or by mobile phone. In fact, many can help you create a Web site, add a shopping cart function, and enhance the security of your site and transactions. Contact your service provider to learn more. If you do not yet accept cards, click on "Accept MasterCard" to register for our Referral Program.

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      What is a Smart Card, and how can this new technology help my business?

      The Smart Card is a card embedded with a computer chip. Smart Cards are simple to use and accept, and can give cardholders increased convenience and control. These cards can even remember past card activity and keep track of purchases, offering retailers and service providers lots of marketing opportunities.

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      How can I direct my customers to the closest ATM that will let them get cash with their MasterCard card?

      MasterCard cardholders have access to over 900,000 automated teller machines all over the world. Click here for the ATM Locator to find the locations nearest you.

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      What should I do if my customers need a replacement card?

      Simply direct your customers to call MasterCard Global Service®. One call offers cardholders the security of worldwide emergency assistance in their own languages, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the world. The phone number in the U.S. is 800-MCASSIST.

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      What is the procedure when a card is presented but cannot be swiped?

      The merchant should manually enter the card in the POS device as well as take an imprint of the card and have the cardholder sign the imprinted copy.

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      How can I download the MasterCard brand mark for use on my Web site?

      Electronic versions of the MasterCard Brand Mark are available from the MasterCard Brand Center for download.

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      MasterCard PayPass FAQs

      What types of merchants will benefit the most from MasterCard PayPass?

      MasterCard PayPass is ideal for traditional, cash-only environments where speed is essential, such as fast-food restaurants, drive-thrus, convenience stores, movie theaters, self-serve gas stations, mass transit, pharmacies, parking garages, and toll roads. The most significant time savings were recognized at drive-thrus, where MasterCard PayPass shaved between 12 and 18 seconds from the purchase time, as compared to cash.

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      How does pricing work for merchants? Are MasterCard PayPass transactions more or less than traditional credit and debit transactions?

      The use of the MasterCard PayPass technology has no bearing on pricing. Pricing is entirely dependent on the underlying, existing payment application.

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      How does this "non-verified" transaction change the payment guarantee for the merchant?

      The use of MasterCard PayPass does not change the payment guarantee for merchants. Existing rules in place for the product/merchant category in which the transaction takes place continue to apply when data is passed across a contactless interface.

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      What are the costs involved?

      To accept PayPass payments, merchants can choose to implement a plug-in peripheral reader or a fully integrated system. Costs will vary depending on the selected solution.

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      What type of technology is used for MasterCard PayPass?

      In keeping with our overall strategy to create globally interoperable payment solutions, MasterCard PayPass was built following an open industry standard for radio frequency communications - ISO 14443.

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      Which vendors are working with MasterCard on MasterCard PayPass?

      Numerous vendors develop products/services for MasterCard PayPass. Please refer to www.PayPass.com for current list.

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      How much does MasterCard PayPass technology speed up an average/standard cash and credit retail transaction?

      The MasterCard PayPass program builds upon the successful employee trial that took place at MasterCard's Purchase, NY, headquarters. Initial results from the employee pilot showed that purchase transaction time was reduced by up to 64%. In addition, the average transaction amount increased by 10% when using a payment card in lieu of cash. However, transaction times are clearly dependent on a number of additional factors relating to a particular merchant's implementation of the technology (e.g., integration into existing point-of-sale systems, dial-up vs. high-speed connections to acquirers, etc.). MasterCard PayPass reduces the transaction time for some elements of the process (no card or cash handover to merchant, no card orientation issues, faster data transmission for card transactions, no change for cash transactions, etc.) so the overall transaction time is generally quicker than the equivalent process today.

      What were the most significant findings from MasterCard consumer payment trends research?

      The results of the 2007 Global Cash Usage Survey indicate that we are moving towards a nearly cashless society as the world is becoming less cash-reliant. A plurality of consumers are carrying less cash than they did five years ago, and payment cards have a high penetration in the market. In the US nearly four in 10 Americans (38%) say they carry less cash in their wallets than they did four years ago. Additionally, most consumers (69%) carry less than $50 in their wallets and 81% do not like to carry large amounts of cash.

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      Co-Branded Cards FAQs

      What is a co-brand card program?

      A co-brand program is a partnership that brings together MasterCard, a MasterCard-issuing financial institution and a suitable partner company wishing to grow its business. The three parties work together to create a card program that is then marketed to the partner company's customer base. A co-brand card is a form of payment that offers added value to the partner's customers through a partnership between their business and the bankcard issuer.

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      What kinds of businesses have successful co-brand programs?

      Many different industries have successfully implemented co-brand programs, including airlines, gas companies, automotive companies, warehouse clubs, and supermarkets. One thing these companies have in common is a growing base of customers who have occasion to purchase products or services on a recurring basis.

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      Who is responsible for promoting the co-brand card?

      The level of support provided and the degree of responsibility for designing and implementing the solicitations and card promotions will depend on the agreement reached between the partner and the card issuer. MasterCard has many different levels of support and expertise available to help a company market its co-brand card and grow its business.

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      What does a MasterCard co-brand card look like?

      MasterCard rules permit the partner's logo to be a dominant feature on the face of the card. The cards also carry the MasterCard logo and a hologram and must conform to certain MasterCard design standards. The name of the MasterCard issuing financial institution may appear, but it is not required. This and other card design details will be determined by the partner and the card issuer.

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      How do I find an issuer for a co-brand alliance?

      The first place to begin is with a bank or financial institution with which your company already has a relationship. Or, MasterCard can provide a list of potential financial institutions from among the thousands we have done business with over the years.

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      What role does MasterCard play in developing a co-brand program?

      That may depend upon the goals and budget of the partner company, but MasterCard has a dedicated staff of highly experienced co-brand specialists available who can help a company evaluate and establish a co-brand partnership that will meet the objectives of all parties involved. To speak to a specialist, please call 1-800-299-9408.

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      MasterCard SecureCode FAQs

      If you do not find the answer to your question listed here, please contact your transaction processor or e-mail securecodemerchant@mastercard.com

      What is MasterCard SecureCode?

      MasterCard SecureCode is a program designed to provide online retailers with the added security of having issuing banks authenticate their individual cardholders and qualify their online transactions for protection against "cardholder unauthorized" or "cardholder not recognized" chargebacks.

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      How does MasterCard SecureCode work?

      When a cardholder submits their online order at a participating merchant, the MasterCard SecureCode solution performs the following to ensure that the cardholder is authorized to make this transaction:

      1. It initiates an in-line window from the card issuer prompting the cardholder to enter their unique personal code.
      2. The issuer validates the personal code and approves the transaction

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      What steps do I need to take to support MasterCard SecureCode?

      Programming to support MasterCard SecureCode may already be available through your transaction processor. As an online retailer, all you need to do is:

      1. Contact your transaction processor to confirm that they support the MasterCard SecureCode program. If they do not, please send an e-mail to: securecodemerchant@mastercard.com.
      2. Install a MasterCard SecureCode compliant "plug-in" application on your site.
      3. Test your site with MasterCard to ensure that SecureCode is working properly.
      4. Display the MasterCard SecureCode logo to let your customers know that you are working to secure Internet shopping.
      5. Transmit transaction authentication values to the card issuer via your normal authorization process using the Universal Cardholder Authentication Field (UCAF).

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      How do I benefit from using MasterCard SecureCode on my Web site?

      • Protection from "cardholder unauthorized" chargebacks for fully compliant transactions. Such protection is designed to reduce your chargeback exposure and processing expenses.
      • Consumer confidence increases, making customers more likely to make a purchase on your Web site.
      • You can expand the geographic reach of your business by selling to customers in countries where online debit cards are used more widely than credit cards. In addition to added protection against chargebacks for these customers, you will be able to process their Maestro® debit transactions.
      • You can attract new customers by advertising for free on the MasterCard consumer Web site. Want to see how listings appear? View the merchant advertising page on the MasterCard consumer Web site.

      Take Me To The Merchant Advertising Page

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      Is MasterCard SecureCode easy for online shoppers to use?

      Yes. Cardholders simply enter their private MasterCard SecureCode in an in-line window provided by their card issuer on their PC before their online transaction can be completed. The card issuer is responsible for validating and safekeeping this code.

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      Does MasterCard SecureCode also support Maestro® cards?

      Yes. MasterCard SecureCode provides a new way for issuers to support Maestro debit transactions over the Internet. This allows more cross-border transactions with merchants in countries where debit is more established than credit.

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      How do I find a certified MasterCard SecureCode vendor?

      A current list of certified compliant MasterCard SecureCode vendors is available on the MasterCard Merchant Web site.

      View The MasterCard SecureCode Vendor List

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      Once I implement MasterCard SecureCode, how do I test my site?

      Contact your transaction processor when you are ready to test your site.

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      Am I required to display the MasterCard SecureCode program logo on my site?

      Yes. Once you have successfully completed testing, MasterCard will provide you with the MasterCard SecureCode logo to display on your Web site in accordance with MasterCard guidelines. This lets customers know you are doing your part to make their transactions safer.

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      How do I download the MasterCard SecureCode logo?

      Once you have completed compliance testing, MasterCard will provide you with a MasterCard SecureCode program identifier.

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    Rules

    For the rules governing the MasterCard family of brands, or when you need information MasterCard acceptance, turn here.

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    Views and news at MasterCard Worldwide.

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