Re:Offline card payments should be possible no later than 1 ...
by phire on Friday October 03, 2025 @08:04PM
(#45469189)
The minimums vary from country to country, it really depends on the fee structure.
Here in New Zealand, shops pay a fixed monthly fee for the payment terminal ($30-$60 per month. That includes the SIM card and data plan) and can make unlimited debit card transactions for free. Consumers don't pay either, so we all got used to making stupidly small payments with a card.
Even with credit cards and contactless, shops are only charged a fixed 1.5% fee. There never a per-transaction fixed cost, so there is no reason to enforce any kind of minimum. I think the smallest I've ever done was 35 cents.
These days, it's close to impossible to find anywhere that doesn't accept cards. Even small stalls at the farmers market will have a terminal. I haven't needed to carry cash for 10+ years.
Here in New Zealand, shops pay a fixed monthly fee for the payment terminal ($30-$60 per month. That includes the SIM card and data plan) and can make unlimited debit card transactions for free. Consumers don't pay either, so we all got used to making stupidly small payments with a card.
Even with credit cards and contactless, shops are only charged a fixed 1.5% fee. There never a per-transaction fixed cost, so there is no reason to enforce any kind of minimum. I think the smallest I've ever done was 35 cents.
These days, it's close to impossible to find anywhere that doesn't accept cards. Even small stalls at the farmers market will have a terminal. I haven't needed to carry cash for 10+ years.