"HeyBub" wrote:

That all changed this week when a federal court allowed merchants to charge
different amounts even for different cards! For example, not all Visa cards
are the same. Those with magnificent rewards programs charge the merchant
more.

Now the merchant will be allowed to charge differently not only on cash vs
card, but card vs card.

Well yes, but not exactly. Discounts for cash have been allowed for some time,
but few merchants beyond the odd gas station ever implemented it.

The recently passed Financial Reform Act made merchant agreement provisions
against credit card surcharges and minimum charge amounts legal.

The recent settlement between the US Government and Mastercard and Visa made the
merchant agreement provisions that prohibited surcharges for reward cards null
(and prevented merchants from refusing specific card types) and also limit the
amount credit card companies can charge merchants.

Amex is still fighting the government, claiming their market share is small
enough that they aren't restraining trade by using those rules.