Oklahoma Credit Card Surcharge Law 2025: What Changes from Nov 1
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For years, Oklahoma merchants have wondered:
“Can I finally add a surcharge to offset the card processing costs?”
Starting November 1, 2025, the answer is yes, but with strict limitations. Oklahoma’s new law makes credit card surcharges legal, while also keeping cash discount (dual pricing) programs 100% legal and uncapped.
That means, merchants now have two compliance paths: surcharging with guardrails or cash discounting with maximum flexibility.
Cash Discount Programs in Oklahoma: Still 100% Legal ✅
Cash discounting (also called dual pricing) was never banned in Oklahoma. And nothing in the new law changes that.
Merchants can:
- Publish both cash and card prices.
- Offer unlimited discounts for customers paying with cash, debit card, or check.
- Face no state cap on the discount size.
- Stay compliant with simpler dual pricing disclosures.
For liquor stores, QSRs, and restaurants, dual pricing remains the most flexible strategy to fight rising processing costs.
Credit Card Surcharging in Oklahama: Legal but Limited ⚖️
The big change that is new law is bringing is that surcharging will now be allowed, but with restrictions:
- Capped at 2% of the transaction or the actual processing fee (whichever is less).
- Clear disclosure required:
- In-person: at the point of entry and point of sale.
- Online: on the homepage and checkout page.
- Phone orders: must be disclosed verbally.
- Not allowed if the merchant only accepts credit cards (no alternative payment option is available).
Compared to many other states, Oklahoma’s rules are stricter, making surcharging a narrower option for small businesses.
Cash Discount vs. Surcharge: What Is a Better Choice?
Verdict: For most Oklahoma SMBs, cash discounting is still the stronger cost-recovery path.
Hybrid Strategy: Dual Pricing + Surcharging
Forward-thinking merchants may explore a hybrid approach:
- Display dual pricing automatically at checkout.
- Apply capped surcharges when customers choose credit cards.
- Keep disclosures consistent across in-store, mobile, and online.
A compliant POS system is essential for running this strategy without risk.
What Oklahoma Merchants Need to Do?
With November 1, 2025 around the corner, here’s your action plan:
- 🖥️ Audit your POS — can it support dual pricing + surcharging?
- 🧑🍳 Train staff to explain cash vs. card pricing clearly.
- 🌐 Update online checkout pages with required disclosures.
- 🧾 Decide your path — all-in on cash discounts, or test a hybrid model.
Final Take: Why POS Compliance Matters
Oklahoma’s new law doesn’t kill cash discounting — it only strengthens its appeal. Surcharging is now legal, but capped and disclosure-heavy. Cash discounting remains uncapped, simpler, and often more profitable.
For liquor stores, QSRs, and restaurants, this is the moment to:
- Review your POS setup.
- Upgrade for compliance.
- Protect your margins — while keeping customer trust.
At the end of the day, POS compliance in Oklahoma isn’t just about legality — it’s about protecting your margins and staying customer-friendly.
⚡ OneHubPOS makes dual pricing and surcharging compliance simple. Ready to explore your options? Book a demo today.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The surcharge rules apply uniformly. You can’t set different percentages for different card brands — the cap is always the lesser of 2% or your actual processing cost.
No. Federal law and card brand rules prohibit surcharges on debit card transactions, even if run “as credit.”
Not necessarily. Cash discounting remains fully legal and uncapped. But if you want to add a surcharge option, you’ll need to ensure your system handles both correctly.
Many customers are used to seeing cash discounts (dual pricing) but may react negatively to “extra fees.” That’s why clear signage and staff training are essential — or why some merchants may stick with dual pricing alone.
If a customer requests a refund, you must also refund the surcharge, since it’s part of the transaction amount.
Rajat is a growth marketing professional with a passion for creating content that drives engagement and measurable results. He specializes in turning insights into clear, actionable stories that help brands scale.
