Can I still surcharge Amex after October 2026?

Why Amex isn’t covered

The 2026 reform removes surcharging on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa — the everyday networks most customers tap with. American Express (and PayPal) sit outside that change. So from 1 October 2026 you can continue to apply a surcharge on Amex transactions if you choose to, while you must stop surcharging the three covered networks. For many businesses Amex carries a higher cost of acceptance than the covered cards, which is part of why the option to recover it is left in place.

The cost-of-acceptance rule still applies

Being able to surcharge Amex is not a blank cheque. Any surcharge you apply must not exceed your actual cost of acceptance for that payment method — broadly, what it genuinely costs you to take an Amex payment. Just as importantly, you cannot dress a card surcharge up as an “administration,” “service” or “handling” fee to get around the rules; disguising a surcharge that way is prohibited under the Australian Consumer Law. The safest approach is straightforward, accurate pricing.

Amex “companion” cards

The ban covers eftpos, Mastercard and Visa. American Express cards issued directly by Amex are not covered, so a compliant Amex surcharge can continue. “Companion” Amex cards — Amex-branded cards once issued by banks on the Visa or Mastercard networks — are now rare, so for most businesses this isn’t a practical concern. If you’re unsure which Amex cards you accept, check with your provider, and confirm the current position at rba.gov.au.

Source: RBA Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging — Conclusions Paper (March 2026).