How to Avoid Downgrades Missouri

Whether you are currently accepting credit cards, or plan on doing so, it is important to know how to save money by avoiding downgrades whenever possible.

Local Companies

Edison Credit Union
(816) 231-3380
4200 E. Front St.
Kansas City, MO
CommunityAmerica Credit Union - 64th Street
(816) 891-6229
6390 N. Cosby Ave.
Kansas City, MO
CommunityAmerica Credit Union - Bresettes
(816) 410-4775
7613 N.W. Prairie View Rd.
Kansas City, MO
CommunityAmerica Credit Union - Ridgeview Hy-Vee
(913) 345-5905
18101 W. 119th St
Kansas City, MO
Endura Financial Federal Credit Union
(816) 523-9000
404A E. Bannister Rd.
Kansas City, MO
Mazuma Credit Union
(816) 361-4194
9300 Troost Ave.
Kansas City, MO
Merchant Warehouse
866-599-3217
Springfield, MO
CommunityAmerica Credit Union - Olathe
(913) 905-8225
13590 S. Black Bob Rd.
Kansas City, MO
Merchant Warehouse
866-599-3217
Independence, MO
CommunityAmerica Credit Union - Blue Valley
(913) 345-5960
6280 W. 135th St
Kansas City, MO

Written By: Lisah, Merchant Warehouse Customer Service

Whether you are currently accepting credit cards, or plan on doing so, it is important to know how to save money by avoiding downgrades whenever possible.

A downgrade simply means that you are being charged a rate increase because the type of card your customer is using has a higher processing cost or because a transaction was processed incorrectly by you, the merchant.

You can't always prevent downgrades from happening, but this article will show you what you can do to keep your transaction costs as low as possible.

As an example, for a Retail or "Swiped" Account where the customer is handing over their card for processing, a transaction will get the Qualified Discount Rate (lowest rate possible) only if the card is swiped, the cardholder is present, and the card is a standard consumer credit card. If any of these criteria are changed, the account will "downgrade" to either the "Mid" or "Non" qualified level. These levels are each associated with a greater cost of processing.

Here is a more detailed description of what can be done to avoid many downgrades, and also what happens if certain criteria are not met.

Retail/Card Swiped Accounts

Qualified Rate

The Qualified Discount Rate is charged when all of the following occur:

  • Standard consumer credit card is used
  • Card is swiped accurately and data properly obtained
  • The customer's signature is captured
  • The transaction is "Batched" or "Settled" within 24 hours

    Mid-Qualified

    The Partial/Mid Qualified rate will be applied when any of the following occur:
  • The card info is manually entered, or "keyed" & all AVS info is entered
  • The consumer uses a Rewards card
  • Transactions are not settled/batched within 24 hours

    Non-Qualified

    If any of the following situations occur, a Non-Qualified rate will be applied to the transaction.
  • Card is manually entered with no AVS info entered
  • The consumer uses a Corporate, Government or International card
  • Authorization code is manually keyed in to your processing terminal.
  • Transactions are not settled/batched within 48 hours

    Keyed "MOTO" or Internet Accounts

    For these types of accounts, the merchant manually enters credit card information into a credit card terminal or software after the order is placed or is collected through an online payment gateway.

    Qualified Rate

    The Qualified Discount Rate is charged when all of the following occur:
  • Standard consumer credit cards are used
  • All required Credit Card information is entered including AVS (address verification) for VISAr transactions.
  • The transactions are "Batched" or "Settled" within 24 hours
  • The order/invoice Number entered

    Mid-Qualified

    For MOTO/Internet Accounts, rates usually fall directly to Non-Qualified, not mid-qualify, but these are the possible reasons why a merchant may be charged a Mid-Qualified Rate
  • AVS information is not entered
  • Transaction/Batch is not settled within 24 hours
  • Card is a Rewards or Business card

    Non-Qualified

    If any of the following situations occur, a Non-Qualified rate will be applied to the transaction.
  • Any of the required card or transaction information is not entered
  • The consumer uses a Corporate, Government or International card
  • Authorization code is manually keyed in to your processing terminal.
  • Transactions are not settled/batched within 48 hours

    As you can see, there are many factors involved in determining which rates are assessed to your transactions. Follow the tips above, and you will keep your processing rates as low as possible. A Merchant Warehouse representative is always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
  • Featured Local Company

    Edison Credit Union

    8162313380
    4200 E. Front St.
    Kansas City, MO

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