1. In order to use credit cards, would there be a minimum amount imposed by
the merchants/shop/outlet in order for them to process the payment? If
there is, any link to such rules in writing? If not, would it be wrong
for merchants to charge minimum amount on usage of credit card?


As per the rules by the card brands such as MasterCard Worldwide and
Visa International, merchants are generally prohibited from imposing a
minimum transaction amount for the purpose of accepting a card payment.


2. In addition, there are shops/outlets that imposed additional charges to
the use of credit card. This is very common in tech gadgets, and etc. If
the act is illegal, what remedy could be taken in order to prevent such
behaviors from repeating itself?


Any surcharges imposed by a merchant on a credit card transaction are
generally prohibited. The prohibition is stipulated in the rules of the
card brands such as MasterCard Worldwide and Visa International, as well
as, in the agreements between the merchant and the merchant acquirer. A
cardholder may lodge a complaint to his/ her issuer (i.e. the financial
institution which issued the card) on the surcharge, together with the
proof of payment i.e. receipt stating the amount of the surcharge, for
their further investigation and action.


3. Finally, some merchants/shops/outlets who displayed logo like
Visa/Mastercard/Amex but unwilling to accept such cards as payment
methods for the goods/services offered. Again, would need clarification
whether such act is wrong and if any remedy could be taken by the
customer to address his/her grieves.


Principally, displaying the mark or the logo of the card brands denotes
card acceptance at a merchant. Thus, it is best for the cardholder to
enquire the merchant on the reason for not accepting a card payment
which may due to other reasons e.g. technical problem etc.

* Pardon the typos, I email-ed them from my mobile *

Thank you for your inquiry concerning regulations for Visa card acceptance. Please notify the disputes area at the financial institution that issued your Visa card of any merchant practices that you feel are inappropriate. Your card issuing bank has access to the appropriate Visa rules and regulations, as well as to the Notification of Customer Complaint forms which should be used by your bank to document and file merchant complaints. It is not necessary for your bank to be the offending merchant's financial institution in order to file a complaint for you.

As an alternative, to report merchant practices that you feel are inappropriate, you may wish to contact our Global Customer Care Services. A list of the toll free numbers can be found at the Visa website http://www.visa-asia.com/ap/gateway/flash/index.html. These numbers are connected to our center in USA. If the country you are in is not listed, or if you experience difficulties using any of the toll-free numbers, please make a reverse-charge call to 1 303 967 1096. Please advise them that you were referred to file a complaint. The staff will be able to initiate a complaint form over the phone.

Thank you for writing.
Visa Webmaster

Hello,

Thank you for contacting Ask MasterCard.

Merchants are able to charge an extra fee to all customers who pay with MasterCard credit cards. This is called a brand level surcharge, and it is allowed if the surcharge:
• is the same for all MasterCard credit cards, regardless of the card’s issuer;
• is no more than the lesser of the merchant’s average MasterCard merchant discount rate (calculated historically or based on the previous month) or the maximum surcharge cap, which will be posted on MasterCard’s website.

A merchant that elects to apply a surcharge to customers who pay with MasterCard credit cards must provide both MasterCard and their acquirer with a minimum of thirty (30) days advance written notice, of their intention to surcharge prior to implementing a surcharge. There is also a cap on the level of the surcharge that a merchant may apply which is defined as the average merchant discount rate that they pay for MasterCard credit card acceptance. In addition, a merchant must disclose their surcharging practices to their customers at the point of sale and on the customer’s receipt. Merchants can satisfy their notice requirement to MasterCard by going to www.mastercardmerchant.com. Details of the specifics of the cap on the level of the surcharge and disclosure requirements can be found by clicking on the link to the rules provided on the MasterCard website.

Merchants can find additional information on the Merchant Surcharge-Rules page at http://www.mastercard.us/merchants/support...arge-rules.html. Merchants that choose to accept other cards, must honor all valid cards including MasterCard without discrimination when presented properly for payment.

Sincerely,
The AskMasterCard Team