What is tiered pricing?
A plan that sorts each sale into a cheaper or pricier price level. The processor decides which level each sale lands in.
The levels are usually called qualified, mid-qualified and non-qualified. Because the processor picks the level, it's hard to predict or check what you'll pay.
For example
Two $50 sales can land in different tiers, one 'qualified' and one 'non-qualified', and cost you different amounts depending on how the card was taken.
Card processing rates explained →