Resources & industry updates
Whitepapers, guides, and curated industry news on service fee programs, China payments, and payment processing for complex business models.
Whitepapers & guides
In-depth resources on payment processing topics relevant to your business.
Service Fee Program Implementation Guide
Complete guide to implementing compliant service fee and surcharge programs for professional services and municipalities. Includes state-by-state regulations, client communication templates, and compliance checklists.
Download GuideAccepting China Payment Methods
How to accept Chinese payment methods in the U.S. Explains UnionPay debit vs. credit, QR code payments, multi-currency settlement, and technical integration requirements by industry vertical.
Coming SoonUnderstanding Interchange Pricing
Demystifying interchange fees, card network assessments, and processor markups. Learn how interchange-plus pricing provides transparency compared to flat-rate and tiered pricing models. Includes interchange category breakdowns and optimization strategies.
Coming soonIndustry news & updates
Curated articles and regulatory updates on service fees, China payments, and payment processing trends.
Visa Updates Surcharge Rules: What Merchants Need to Know
Visa announced changes to surcharge disclosure requirements effective April 2026. Merchants will need updated signage and clearer itemization on receipts. The changes aim to improve transparency for cardholders while maintaining merchant flexibility to recover processing costs.
Our take: These changes are manageable for compliant programs. We're updating our documentation templates and will notify clients 90 days before the effective date.
Read full article →Chinese Tourist Spending in U.S. Up 45% Year-Over-Year
Travel industry data shows Chinese tourist spending in the U.S. increased 45% compared to 2024, with luxury retail and hospitality seeing the strongest growth. Payment preferences remain heavily weighted toward Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay debit cards.
Our take: Businesses in tourism-heavy markets without China payment acceptance are leaving significant revenue on the table. Implementation typically pays for itself within 3-6 months for high-traffic locations.
Read full article →Connecticut Becomes 47th State to Allow Credit Card Surcharges
Connecticut legislation removes prohibition on credit card surcharges, joining most other states in allowing merchants to recover processing costs. Massachusetts, Maine, and Oklahoma remain the only states with surcharge bans. Implementation requires 30-day notice to card brands.
Our take: Growing state acceptance of surcharge programs reflects recognition that payment processing costs are legitimate business expenses. Service fee programs remain legal in all 50 states for businesses that prefer broader application.
Read full article →UnionPay Expands U.S. Acceptance Network by 40% in Tourism Corridors
UnionPay International announced 40% growth in U.S. merchant acceptance locations, with strongest expansion in major tourism markets including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Orlando. Network now includes over 2.3 million U.S. locations accepting UnionPay cards, though debit acceptance remains limited outside major metro areas.
Our take: Credit card acceptance is growing, but UnionPay debit (90% of Chinese cards) still requires specialized integration. Businesses in high-traffic tourist areas should prioritize debit capability alongside Alipay and WeChat Pay QR codes.
Read full article →Survey: 73% of Consumers Accept Service Fees When Clearly Disclosed
Consumer research study shows 73% of consumers accept service fees and surcharges when clearly disclosed upfront with payment alternatives offered. Acceptance rates drop to 42% when fees are not disclosed until checkout. Study reinforces importance of transparency in fee program implementation.
Our take: This data confirms what we see with clients—proper communication is more important than the fee amount. Our implementation process includes disclosure best practices that result in 85-90% client acceptance rates.
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