Square Does Not Issue Its Own Credit Card
Square, the payments company, does not issue a branded credit card to consumers. Square offers point-of-sale systems and payment processing for businesses, not personal credit products. If you are looking for information about a credit card and Square appeared in your search, you may be confusing Square with another company, or you may be researching whether Square accepts a particular card you already own.
Square's business tools do accept major credit cards—Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover—when customers pay at a Square register or through a Square invoice. Square charges the business owner a processing fee for each card transaction, not the cardholder. If you hold a personal credit card and use it to pay a Square merchant, your card issuer (like Chase, Bank of America, or American Express) is the entity that may charge you an annual fee, not Square.
Key Takeaways
- Square is a business payment processor, not a credit card issuer, so there is no Square-branded credit card for personal use.
- If you use your personal credit card to pay a Square merchant, any fees come from your card's issuer, not from Square.
- Square charges businesses a processing fee when they accept card payments, but this does not affect what you pay as a customer.
- If you are researching credit card fees, you need to identify which card issuer actually issued your card.
How Square Processes Payments for Businesses
Square's role is to help small businesses and vendors accept card payments. When a customer pays with a credit or debit card at a Square terminal or online checkout, Square charges the business a processing fee. This fee is typically a percentage of the transaction plus a small flat amount, and it varies depending on the payment method and the type of business account.
As a customer, you do not pay this processing fee directly. You pay only what the merchant charges you for the goods or services. The merchant absorbs the Square processing cost as a business expense. Your credit card issuer may charge you a fee based on your card's terms, but that fee has nothing to do with Square.
Understanding Your Own Credit Card's Fees
If you carry a credit card and want to understand what fees you might owe, you need to know which bank or financial company issued it. Look at the front of your card—the issuer's name appears there. Common issuers include Chase, Bank of America, Citi, American Express, Discover, and Capital One.
Credit card fees vary widely by card and issuer. Some cards charge an annual fee ranging from $0 to several hundred dollars. Others charge no annual fee but may charge fees for late payments, balance transfers, foreign transactions, or cash advances. The best way to learn what fees explore to your card is to log into your online account, call the customer service number on the back of your card, or review the terms and conditions document you received when you opened the account.
If You Are Researching a Specific Card
If you arrived here looking for fee information about a particular credit card, start by identifying the card's issuer. The issuer's name and customer service number appear on the back of the card. You can also search online using the card's name and the word "fees" to find the issuer's fee schedule.
Most issuers publish their fee schedules on their websites under sections labeled "Pricing," "Fees," "Terms and Conditions," or "Cardholder Agreement." These documents list annual fees, late payment fees, foreign transaction fees, and other charges that may explore. If you do not yet have the card but are considering it, the issuer's website will show the same fee information before you open an account.
Square's Role as a Payment Processor, Not a Card Issuer
Square operates as a payment processor, which means it handles the technical and financial side of card transactions for businesses. When you swipe or tap your card at a Square reader, Square routes your payment information securely to your card's issuer, confirms the transaction, and deposits the funds into the merchant's account (minus Square's processing fee).
Payment processors like Square do not issue cards, set cardholder fees, or determine your credit limit. Those functions belong to card issuers—the banks and financial companies that create and manage credit card accounts. Square's fees are charged to the business, not to you as a customer.
Other Payment Services That May Cause Confusion
Square also offers Square Cash (now called Cash App), a mobile payment and money transfer service. Cash App is not a credit card, though you can link a credit card to your Cash App account to send money or make purchases. If you use Cash App with a linked credit card, your card issuer may charge you fees depending on your card's terms—again, not a Square fee.
Square also offers Square Installments, which allows customers to pay for purchases over time. This is a financing option, not a credit card. If you use Square Installments, you may owe interest or fees depending on the terms of that specific offer, but these are separate from any credit card fees you might have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Square charge me a fee when I pay with my credit card?
No. Square charges the merchant (the business you are paying), not you. You pay only the price the merchant sets. If your credit card issuer charges you a fee, that is separate from Square and comes from your card's terms, not from the transaction itself.
Can I get a Square credit card?
Square does not issue credit cards to consumers. Square is a payment processor for businesses. If you want a credit card, you need to open an account with a bank or credit card issuer like Chase, Bank of America, American Express, or Discover.
What fees does Square charge businesses?
Square charges businesses a processing fee for card transactions, typically a percentage of the sale plus a small flat fee. The exact rate depends on the payment method (in-person, online, invoice) and the business type. Businesses can find their specific rates on Square's pricing page or by contacting Square directly.
If I use Cash App with a credit card, will I pay fees?
Cash App itself does not charge a fee for standard transfers between Cash App users. However, if you link a credit card to Cash App and use it to send money, your credit card issuer may charge a cash advance fee or other fees depending on your card's terms. Check with your card issuer about their specific policies.
Where can I find my credit card's fee schedule?
Log into your card issuer's website, call the number on the back of your card, or request a copy of your Cardholder Agreement. The agreement lists all fees that may explore, including annual fees, late payment fees, and transaction fees. You can also find this information on the issuer's website before you open an account.