Understanding higher American Express fees
American Express donations can have higher payment processing fees because Stripe prices American Express separately from other domestic card networks.
For eligible nonprofit accounts in the United States using Stripe’s standard nonprofit pricing, domestic American Express donations are generally processed at 3.5%. The discounted processing rate available for other eligible domestic cards does not apply to American Express. Your organization’s actual rate may differ based on its Stripe pricing agreement and transaction details.
Why the processing fee is higher
Stripe determines and charges the payment processing fee. Even when Stripe approves an organization for nonprofit pricing, American Express transactions may use a separate processing rate.
Fundraise Up does not set the American Express processing rate. Contact Stripe Support to confirm which rates apply to your account.
Check a donation’s processing fee
Open the donation record in Dashboard and find the Payment and fees section. The Payment processing fee shows the amount charged by Stripe.
Select the Payment ID to open the transaction in Stripe and review its details.
Fundraise Up fees and fee coverage
The payment processing fee charged by Stripe is separate from the Fundraise Up fee. Fundraise Up uses performance-based pricing, and the Fundraise Up fee does not increase because a supporter uses American Express.
If fee coverage is enabled, supporters can contribute an additional amount toward the costs associated with their donation. Dashboard reporting and payout calculations show the Fundraise Up fee and applicable payment processing fee separately.