Card payments

Card payment is the most widely used form of payment at the point of sale in Switzerland.

Visa, Mastercard, Debit Mastercard, PostFinance Card, American Express – behind each of these names is a different system with its own fee models, billing logic and acceptance rules. What is relevant for your business depends on who is buying from you, in which channel and with which terminal.

This page explains how card payments work, what types of card there are – and why this makes a difference to your everyday life.

What happens if someone pays with your card

The card is held up to the terminal, the terminal lights up green, the amount is booked. What happens in the background is faster than you might think: the terminal asks the acquirer, the acquirer checks with the card-issuing bank, the bank authorizes – all in seconds. The transaction is then settled and the amount is credited to your account, minus the agreed fees.

For you as a business, it is less important how this process works technically than how much it costs, how quickly you receive the money and which cards your terminal accepts.

Different cards, different logics

Not all card payments are the same. Differences arise, among other things, from how a card is financially linked and where it is used.

Debit cards

Debit cards debit the payer’s account directly. They are frequently used for everyday payments and are considered by many customers to be controllable and familiar. Debit cards are the most widely used form of card payment in many countries today.

Credit cards bundle payments over a certain period of time and are billed on a deferred basis. They offer additional functions, for example in the travel or online environment, and are often used where flexibility or international use is required.

These differences have a direct impact on the fees: Debit cards are generally cheaper to process than credit cards, and cards issued outside the EU cost more than domestic cards. If you know this, you will understand your bill better.

Classify card models

Card payments consist of various card models that have developed historically and are used in parallel today. Which of these are relevant depends less on trends than on the area of application.

Instead of evaluating individual cards, it is worth understanding why they exist and what they are used for. Only this classification creates a solid basis for later decisions.

The following card models show which debit and credit cards are accepted with the SwiPay systems. Which of these are relevant in everyday life depends on the area of use, location and clientele.

  • Mastercard

    Secure. Worldwide. Established.

    Accepted worldwide, with strong fraud protection. Extends your range with one of the best-known credit cards for international customers.

  • Debit Mastercard

    Simple. Flexible. Accepted worldwide.

    Proven debit card with direct debit from the account. Offers your customers an uncomplicated, fast payment option in-store or online – also contactless.

  • PostFinance Card

    Widely used. Directly from the account.

    The PostFinance Card is one of the most widely used cards in Switzerland. Your customers pay securely and directly from their postal account – in-store, at the terminal or online.

  • Visa

    Innovative. Global. Indispensable.

    One of the most widely used cards for borderless payments. Opens your business to international customers – simply and reliably.

  • Maestro

    In the outlet.

    For many years the trusted debit card for stationary retail. Still in use in Switzerland, contactless and reliable in everyday life – but soon to be replaced by modern successor products.

  • Lunch check

    Paid lunch. And trust.

    You can pay with Lunch-Check in thousands of restaurants, canteens and take-aways throughout Switzerland. For hosts, it is a simple, recognized and tax-privileged means of payment.

  • American Express

    Exclusive. Premium. High turnover.

    Demanding regular customers and strong bonus programs. Perfect for upselling and higher shopping baskets.

  • Visa Debit

    International. Fast. Contactless.

    Global debit card for fast payments and high acceptance at home and abroad. Reduces barriers and adds modern options to your payment offering.

  • Reka-Card

    Vacation, mobility and food – simply paid for.

    Reka Money is a popular means of payment for leisure, vacations and mobility. Accepted in hotels, public transport, petrol stations and restaurants – and offered by many employers as a discounted social benefit.

  • boncard

    Prepaid, tax-optimized and reliable.

    The boncard is a rechargeable credit card for meals. Often used as a staff benefit – tax-privileged, digitally redeemable and accepted throughout Switzerland.

  • UnionPay

    Chinese. Strong. International.

    China’s leading card. Indispensable in regions with Chinese guests and for international payment.

  • V Pay

    Simple. Direct. Proven throughout Europe.

    European debit card with direct debit. Enables your customers to pay conveniently without a credit limit – a solid addition to your portfolio.

  • JCB

    Japanese. Strong niche. Attractive.

    The credit card for Japanese travelers. Increases your attractiveness for guests from the Far East.

  • BonusCard

    Collects points. And trust.

    The BonusCard combines classic credit functions with attractive reward models. Popular with frequent users, travelers and employees with expense requirements.

  • Diners Club

    Business. Sophisticated. Personal.

    Exclusively for business travelers with high standards. Gives your offer a premium touch.

  • Discover

    US-based. Simple. Popular.

    Widely used in the USA and popular with tourists. Offers uncomplicated processing and fair fees.

Classification at the end

Card payments have become an integral part of everyday life. Their strength lies in their broad acceptance – their complexity in the background.

If you view card payments not as a uniform product, but as an interplay of different card models and types of use, you can make decisions more consciously. Not in order to change everything. But to understand what is actually used in your own business.

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