[bellgrove]

As a consumer what is the incentive to not use a card? In North America, at least, there are points programs that heavily incentivize my usage of credit cards plus other benefits like travel insurance. I also trust in the consumer protections that the major credit cards offer. On the flip side, merchants incur a fee but I doubt that even in a world with all direct payments that they would pass any savings along to the consumer.

[sanex]

I'm seeing more and more 3% credit card surcharges lately. While frustrating, at least they're transparent so I'd expect them to cancel that upcharge.

[selicos]

Many places near me have different cash/card pricing from a % to a flat fee on the transaction. I've used debit cards to pay car repair bills to skip the 3% fee (sizeable on a $2500 repair).

Your incentives are paid by the retailer/vendor, if fees are covered by them. If you're paying that fee, which includes profit for the payment/card processes, you may be losing money using a credit card even with perks like points and cash back.

[charlieyu1]

I used to think the percentage fee is a lot (much less than 3% in UK) until I found out all the buyer protection that I’m getting. Literally one single bad merchant is enough for you to lose more

[selicos]

If another payment service offered the same or better protections by default with a lower or zero fee would you jump ship? Or would your bank at least offer that option?

[mhb]

> I doubt that even in a world with all direct payments that they would pass any savings along to the consumer.

Shouldn't you think that about every way companies save money? And yet they do compete on price.