BUSINESSQUARTZ
The hidden cost of your points
Credit card swipe fees reached a record $198 billion in 2025, sparking a debate about who ultimately covers the costs of rewards programs.
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Adjacent reporting
- Controversial credit card swipe fee law in Illinois delayed another year
- Judge preliminarily approved Visa and Mastercard's $38 billion swipe fee settlement
- Illinois lawmakers delay credit card swipe fee law
- State laws provide relief, but nationwide credit card competition is the answer
- How high-end credit card perks are hurting shoppers who pay in cash