You know that minimum credit card purchase requirements aren't allowed, right?

Posted by Caitlin on September 9th, 2009

Many merchants post signs near the cash register, stating that you must spend above a certain amount in order to be allowed to use a credit or even a debit card. However, these minimum credit card purchase requirements violate MasterCard and Visa's merchant agreements.  Obviously, many retailers choose to disregard this rule, and they generally get away with it. Their position is understandable, since the merchant has to pay a fee to the credit card company whenever a customer uses a credit card, and paying that fee seems less worthwhile when the customer is making a $2.00 purchase. But technically, if credit cards are accepted, the retailer must accept them for any purchase, regardless of amount.

NonToxicReviews.com has created a nifty little wallet card that references MasterCard and Visa's merchant agreements, to prove his point in the event of a dispute with a merchant. If you do choose to challenge a retailer who attempts to enforce a mimimum credit card purchase requirement, you will be in the right, and this convenient card may facilitate your argument.

Personally, though, I'm not sure that I'd be comfortable doing so. Despite the rules of the merchant agreement, I sympathize with the retailer's position and would feel uncomfortable mounting a challenge. What about you? Would you hold a merchant to the rules, and demand to be allowed to pay with your credit card? Would you use NonToxicReviews.com's card to help get your way? Or would you just respect the retailer's wishes and pay with cash, or purchase additional items in order to meet the requirement?

To learn more about credit cards and to compare terms and conditions, see our credit card reviews and comparison chart.