<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Rut Dog:
Originally posted by ScroogeMcFlyer:
every credit card provider adds in their contract with their vendors that credit card transactions cannot be assessed any fees</font>
You may be confused with minimums, which are universally forbidden. Surcharges are subject to state law and inconsistent policies, but ARE often not valid. Nevertheless, is not a cash discount valid? How can a third party regulate terms of a deal between two other parties? As opposed to the minimum, in which the third party now has a say, namely, "you can't require a minimum purchase when using my services".
Nevertheless, I would heartily recommend you do a little research. The outcome could mean a lot of miles for you. And, according to one source, surcharges are indeed illegal in California.
If this is correct, you may simply need to find the statute and send a letter citing it and explaining you want your rent charged to the card with no surcharge. End of discussion.
Goood luck!
[This message has been edited by Rut Dog (edited 04-12-2003).]
Actually, minimums are legal, at least on American Express. I emailed them once complaining about a merchant that had a minimum and received a response from American Express that minimum charges are in fact permitted.