Reference Materials for Card Acceptance

At Heartland, we understand that you may have questions or want information on how to improve your business processes. Here you will find links to information found on the major card brands (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express) websites in order to help you quickly find the information about general card acceptance rules; research a specific chargeback reason code or learn more about the fees these card brands charge — all by clicking the links below. If you have additional questions, contact your Heartland representative.

Visa and MasterCard have specific rules for accepting their credit cards. Use the links below to learn more about their rules.

Visa® Rules (PDF)

Visa® Card Acceptance Guidelines (PDF)

MasterCard® Rules (PDF)

Maestro® (pin debit network owned by MasterCard) Rules (PDF)

Learn how chargebacks occur, various reason codes, timelines and more in the Visa and MasterCard chargeback guides:

Visa® Chargeback Guidelines (PDF)

MasterCard® Chargeback Guide (PDF)

Visa and MasterCard define fees merchants pay to financial institutions for accepting their cards. The below links include the current fees as published by Visa and MasterCard. Learn what is necessary for a transaction to qualify for a specific fee.

Visa® & Interlink Interchange Fees

MasterCard® Interchange Rates (PDF)

Visa provides additional tips specifically for restaurants:

Tips for Restaurants (PDF)

How-To's for Restaurant Owners and Managers (PDF)

Curious about surcharges (checkout fees) or minimum or maximum transactions? See information from Visa and MasterCard:

Checkout fees - Visa®

Minimum and Maximum - MasterCard®

Search for information on Discover or American Express:

Discover Financial Services

American Express®

Need signage? Access the below web sites to obtain signage or supplies from Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express: (if you are a OnePoint merchant, please call your Regional Servicing Team for supplies):

http://www.visafulfillment.com/visamerchant/main.asp?lp=1

http://www.mastercardbrandcenter.com/us/index.shtml

http://www.discovernetwork.com/clientsupport/signage.html

https://www209.americanexpress.com/merchant/marketing-data/pages/logosandsupplies?inav=merch_logos