Interchange plus plus (IC++) is a payment processing pricing model that breaks your transaction cost into three separate, visible components: interchange (paid to the card issuer), scheme fees (paid to Visa or Mastercard), and the acquirer’s markup. Understanding IC++ helps merchants evaluate processor pricing and understand what they’re actually paying for — even if they’re on a different pricing model.
The Three Components of IC++
1. Interchange (the “I”)
Interchange is the fee paid to the bank that issued the customer’s card. It varies by card type, network, and transaction method — premium rewards cards carry higher interchange than standard debit cards, and card-not-present (online) transactions carry higher interchange than card-present (in-person) transactions. Interchange rates are published by Visa and Mastercard and change twice per year.
2. Scheme Fees (the first “plus”)
Scheme fees are assessed by the card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) for using their rails. They include assessment fees, cross-border fees, network access fees, and various program fees. In the IC++ model, these are passed through at cost rather than bundled. In a blended or flat-rate model, they’re included in the merchant’s overall rate.
3. Acquirer Markup (the second “plus”)
The acquirer’s margin — the amount added by your processor on top of interchange and scheme fees. In IC++ pricing, this is the only negotiable component and is typically a percentage plus a fixed per-transaction fee (e.g., 0.2% + $0.05).
IC++ vs. Flat-Rate Pricing
| Factor | IC++ Pricing | Flat-Rate Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | Full visibility into each cost component | Single blended rate, easy to understand |
| Cost for debit cards | Lower (debit interchange is low) | Same rate regardless of card type |
| Cost for premium rewards cards | Higher (premium interchange) | Same rate regardless of card type |
| Statement complexity | Detailed — requires analysis | Simple — one rate |
| Predictability | Varies with card mix | Fully predictable |
| Best for | High-volume, debit-heavy, B2B merchants | Most ecommerce merchants |
IC++ vs. Interchange+ (They’re Different)
IC++ separates interchange, scheme fees, and markup into three distinct line items. Interchange+ (or “interchange plus”) typically bundles scheme fees into a single “plus” markup — less transparent than true IC++ but more transparent than blended pricing.
ConvesioPay’s Pricing Model
ConvesioPay uses transparent flat-rate pricing at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction with no monthly fees. This provides full cost predictability — the same rate regardless of card type, geography, or transaction size. For merchants who want the simplicity and certainty of a fixed rate with enterprise-grade payment infrastructure, ConvesioPay’s flat-rate model delivers both.
Ready to get started? Learn more about ConvesioPay or view pricing.