Stop Paying Credit Card Fees: How Property Managers Keep 100% of Their Revenue

Every card swipe eats a slice of your profit. Clearview’s Reverse My Fees program removes card costs from your P&L (Profit and Loss), keeps you Visa and Mastercard compliant, and pays you next day. You stay Merchant of Record and keep control of your funds.

Try the Zero-Fee Calculator at the end to see your exact savings.

 

Why Credit Card Fees Hurt STR Profit

Credit card fees take 3–5% of every booking.

  • On a $1,000 reservation, you lose $30–$50.

  • On $300,000 in monthly volume, that’s $9,000–$15,000 gone.

  • Add reserves, payout delays, and “network assessments,” and the loss grows.

This is silent revenue leakage that property managers rarely track until it’s too late.

 

The Clearview Fix: Reverse My Fees

With Reverse My Fees (RMF), you pay $0 to process cards.

  • Guests cover the card cost as a visible line item (Processing Fee, Payment Fee, or Credit Card Fee).

  • Your total monthly cost is capped at $49, including gateway fees (Authorize.Net, NMI, or SlimCD).

  • You get next-day funding.

  • You stay Merchant of Record, controlling refunds, chargebacks, and fraud settings.

  • You have a dedicated rep, not a ticket system.

Result: your revenue stays intact, your payout speed doubles, and your guests still book confidently.

 

Fully Legal and Compliant

Reverse My Fees is not a surcharge or a “DIY cash discount.” It’s a processor-managed model built to comply with Visa and Mastercard rules.

  • Works for both credit and debit transactions.

  • Fee applied post-tax when PMS allows, ensuring you cover 100% of costs.

  • Clearview handles all registrations and program oversight.

You get compliance peace of mind without legal gray zones.

 

Why the SIC Code Matters

Your SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) determines interchange costs.

  • Most STRs should use SIC 6513 (Property Managers).

  • Misclassification as 7011 (Lodging) triggers higher rates tied to travel-reward cards.

  • Clearview audits and assigns 6513 by default, lowering rates and reducing account risk.

This small detail is worth thousands per year in savings.

 

Common Myths, Debunked

Myth 1: “Surcharging and Reverse My Fees are the same.”
Wrong. Surcharging requires card-brand registration, excludes debit cards, and caps fees. RMF is handled by Clearview, includes debit, and keeps you compliant automatically.

Myth 2: “Dual pricing works online.”
Not really. Dual pricing is fine in-person but hard to automate through PMS or OTAs. RMF integrates seamlessly into Escapia, Track, Streamline, and other systems.

Myth 3: “Guests will hate extra fees.”
Not true. When shown transparently as a small “Processing Fee,” guest behavior remains steady. Managers see higher net profit, not lower conversion.

 

Beyond Zero Fees

Switching to Clearview gives you more than savings.

  • Next-Day Funding: Faster payouts keep owners and vendors happy.

  • Chargeback Shield: Instant alerts, Merlink portal access, and a dedicated rep.

  • Transparent Statements: One-page, plain-English breakdowns.

  • Direct Processor Setup: No middlemen, no frozen funds, no rolling reserves.

 

How It Works

  1. Send statements: Upload your last 1–3 processing statements.

  2. Underwriting: Simple e-sign packet, usually approved in 2–4 days.

  3. Integration: We send your VAR kit. Your PMS connects the gateway in under an hour.

Then, you’re live, and you get paid next business day.

 

Simple Math Example

Monthly VolumeOld Cost (3%)Clearview CostAnnual Savings
$300,000$9,000$49$107,412

That’s $107,000+ back into your business every year.

 

FAQs

How can I accept credit cards without paying processing fees?
Use a processor that legally passes fees to the guest. Clearview’s Reverse My Fees model covers 100% of your costs while staying compliant with Visa and Mastercard.

Is zero-fee credit card processing really legal?
Yes. When managed by a registered processor like Clearview, it’s fully compliant. The processor collects and remits the fee, not the merchant.

Can I include debit cards in zero-fee processing?
Yes. Unlike standard surcharges, Clearview’s model applies to debit and credit cards because the processor, not the merchant, handles fee collection.

What is the difference between surcharge, dual pricing, and zero-fee?

  • Surcharge: Merchant adds a percentage on credit only. Must register with Visa.

  • Dual pricing: Two prices, cash and card, usually for in-person sales.

  • Zero-fee (RMF): Processor-managed. Works online. Includes debit.

Why does the SIC code affect my processing rates?
Your SIC determines your interchange bracket. STRs coded as “lodging” pay higher reward-card costs. Clearview uses SIC 6513 to secure lower rates.

Why does next-day funding matter so much for property managers?
It shortens the cash flow gap between guest payment and owner payout, keeping vendors and homeowners paid on time.

What happens to the fee if a guest cancels or gets a refund?
Refunds go back to the cardholder in 3–5 days. Processing fees reflect completed services and are usually non-refundable, per rental agreement language.

How fast can I switch to a zero-fee processor?
Most accounts are approved and connected in less than a week. Once live, next-day payouts start immediately.

Does zero-fee processing hurt bookings?
No. Guests are accustomed to seeing small “Processing Fees.” Transparency builds trust and doesn’t reduce conversions.

What PMS systems work with Clearview?
Authorize.Net, NMI, and SlimCD connect directly with major PMS platforms like Escapia, Track, and Streamline.

 

Ready to Keep 100% of Your Revenue?

Every day you wait, you lose profit to card networks. Let Clearview handle compliance, funding, and support while you focus on growth. Try the Zero-Fee Calculator or fill out the form below to get started.

Partner With Clearview!

Earn more or save more by integrating Clearview payments. Whether you’re a PMS provider or an STR vendor, we help you deliver zero-fee payments, lower processing costs, and faster payouts.

Get In Touch With Us

Tell us a bit about your business and our team will connect with you to explore the right Clearview Partner Program.

Related Posts