Should you pass on credit card fees to customers? What salons and spas need to know about surcharges

As a brand owner, every fraction of a percent counts toward the future of your business. Rising labor costs, rent, and supplier expenses have already squeezed margins for salons and spas. On top of that, payment processing fees quietly eat away an additional 2–3% of every credit card transaction.

It may sound small, but those percentages add up fast, costing you thousands annually and holding back the investments that drive growth.

But what if you didn’t have to shoulder that cost entirely?

That’s where credit card surcharges come in — a small, transparent fee that salons and spas can add to invoices when guests pay with a credit card. Once uncommon outside of Australia, surcharging is rapidly gaining traction in the U.S.. And with advanced software solutions like Zenoti now supporting this feature, many owners are asking: Should I pass credit card processing fees onto my guests?

This post explores the ins and outs of surcharging — what it is, how it works, consumer sentiment, compliance requirements, and whether it makes sense for your business.

A credit card surcharge is an additional fee a business adds to a customer’s bill when they choose to pay with a credit card. This fee is designed to offset the processing costs charged by payment providers, which typically range from 2–3% of the transaction amount.

For example, if a guest books a $100 facial and pays by card, a surcharge of $2–$3 may be applied. If they pay by debit card, cash, or another method, the surcharge does not apply.

This practice is already well-established in Australia, where salons and spas commonly use surcharges to preserve profitability. Now, with increased awareness and technology support, the U.S. industry is catching up.

Beauty and wellness businesses often run on thin margins, and a few percentage points lost to card fees can mean the difference between investing in staff training or holding back.

According to Payments Dive, more than one-third of U.S. small businesses now add a surcharge to customer bills. And research from PYMNTS.com shows that 85% of surveyed U.S. consumers have paid surcharges without objection.

The business case is straightforward:

Naturally, business owners worry: Will guests push back if I add a surcharge?

The data suggests otherwise. According to a consumer survey of over 2,500 United States credit card users analyzing the sentiments triggered when consumers are faced with a surcharge:

What matters most is transparency. When clearly communicated upfront — such as during booking, on invoices, and at the point of sale — guests tend to accept surcharges as part of the transaction.

In fact, many guests are already familiar with surcharges in industries like travel, dining, and utilities. For salons and spas, the key is making the practice clear and fair.

Before rolling out a surcharge, businesses must understand the rules. Credit card surcharges are regulated by card networks in the U.S. and vary by state.

Here’s a snapshot:

According to Stax Payments, compliance includes:

Because rules vary by state and change frequently, salons and spas should review their local state guidelines and consult with their payment processor before implementing.

While the terms sometimes get used interchangeably, a credit card surcharge is not the same as a convenience fee. Here’s how they differ:

Implementing a surcharge is simple with the right software. With an advanced platform like Zenoti, owners can:

This automation ensures consistency, compliance, and guest transparency.

So, should your salon or spa start surcharging? Let’s weigh the factors.

If you decide to move forward, follow these steps to ensure a smooth rollout:

Not all surcharge solutions are created equal. While many payment processors and business platforms now offer some form of surcharging, the best software goes beyond simply adding a fee at checkout. It should reduce compliance risk, work seamlessly across all guest touchpoints, and give business owners full control.

Here are three features to look for in a surcharging solution:

Regulations around surcharges are complex and vary by state, card network, and payment type. The best software automatically enforces:

Surcharges should be disclosed consistently everywhere a guest might pay. Leading platforms make sure fees appear clearly in:

This consistency builds transparency and trust, reducing guest questions or confusion.

The best surcharging tools recognize that every business has its own philosophy. You may want to pass on the full fee — or just a portion of it — to balance guest experience with financial savings.

For salons, spas, and studios, surcharges represent a practical way to protect profitability without raising service prices. With most guests willing to accept the fee — and technology making implementation seamless — the question becomes less about if and more about when.

By thoughtfully introducing a surcharge, salons and spas can recover thousands in lost revenue each year, strengthen margins, and reinvest in the people and experiences that set them apart.