Stop absorbing the cost of every credit card transaction. WhirlWind's built-in surcharge module passes processing fees directly to customers — automatically, transparently, and compliantly.
The entire surcharge flow is built directly into WhirlWind — nothing extra to manage.
When a customer chooses to pay by credit card, WhirlWind automatically displays the original amount, surcharge amount, and total — before the transaction is processed.
A customizable pop-up prompts your salesperson to inform the customer of the surcharge and their options to avoid it — paying by cash, check, or ACH.
The surcharge is automatically calculated per card type, shown as a separate line item on all receipts, and tracked in end-of-day reconciliation.
Your processing costs are offset. Every relevant report — customer statements, deposits, AR — reflects the full payment breakdown clearly.
Adjust the sliders to model your own numbers. Surcharge must not exceed your actual processing cost.
Set different surcharge percentages for different credit card types. WhirlWind calculates the correct amount automatically based on your configuration.
Every receipt, customer statement, and payment acknowledgement clearly shows the original amount, surcharge, and total — keeping you compliant and your customers informed.
A pop-up reminds your team to verbally disclose the surcharge before processing. The script is fully customizable to match your company's language and tone.
End-of-day balancing shows the total charged to customers, surcharge amounts, and AR amounts separately — so your books are always clean and accurate.
Refunds work the same way in reverse — the surcharge percentage is deducted automatically, so your team never has to do manual calculations on returns.
Every previous payment — including the surcharge breakdown — is visible directly from the Customer Order screen under ADV options. Full audit trail, always.
Choose the model that works best for your business. Both include the full feature set.
Connect WhirlWind directly to Podium's In-Store Terminals and Text-to-Pay platform. Amounts flow from WhirlWind into Podium and payment confirmations come back automatically via webhook — no manual entry required. Debit card detection included.
Note: Podium charges separately for their terminals, monthly fees, and processing costs. Those are outside this agreement.
Check your local laws. Surcharging is legal in most U.S. states but prohibited in CA, CT, MA, and ME (as of 2025). Rules vary by state and card network. Confirm what's permitted in every state where you do business.
Disclose to your customers. We strongly recommend posting surcharge notices at your store entrance and point of sale. WhirlWind's built-in salesperson prompt helps ensure verbal disclosure at every transaction.
Credit cards only. Surcharges cannot be applied to debit or prepaid cards — even if processed as credit. WhirlWind's Podium integration can detect card type and notify you automatically when a debit card is used.
Never profit from surcharging. By law, your surcharge cannot exceed your actual processing cost. The calculator above helps you verify your numbers are compliant before going live.
WhirlWind is not your lawyer. We've built the business logic based on industry guidance, but we cannot verify legality for your specific situation. We strongly advise consulting an attorney familiar with surcharge law in your states. By using this feature, you hold WhirlWind blameless and indemnify us from any claims arising from its use.
Complete the agreement below to activate the Credit Card Surcharge Module in your WhirlWind account.
March 2026 · WhirlWind Software