A proposed settlement between credit card giants Visa and Mastercard and merchants could result in lower prices, but it could also mean fewer payment options for consumers.

The settlement addresses swipe fees — charges retailers pay every time a customer uses a credit card. According to the National Retail Federation , credit card companies charged merchants an average 2.35% swipe fee in 2024. That means for every $100 credit card purchase, a merchant pays $2.35.

"Some retailers will build the cost of these fees into the cost of doing business, so consumers don't necessarily see an impact one way or the other," said NerdWallet credit cards expert Sara Rathner. "They might also roll the cost of those fees into the pricing that they charge for the items that they sell."

These fees spa

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