Overview
Level III Advantage is a cost-saving tool designed specifically for merchants who frequently process business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-government (B2G) transactions. By submitting more detailed transaction data, you can qualify for lower interchange rates, reduce credit card processing fees, and gain a competitive pricing edge.
What Is Level III Advantage?
Level III Advantage is a service that helps you lower the fees charged by card networks (like Visa and Mastercard) when accepting credit card payments from businesses or government agencies. It works by including additional data about each transaction—such as item descriptions, quantities, and shipping information—which allows you to qualify for better pricing tiers known as Level III interchange rates.
Key Definitions
Interchange Rate: A fee paid by the merchant's bank to the cardholder's bank when a credit or debit card is used. These rates vary based on card type and data provided.
Level III Data: A more detailed set of information about a transaction. This includes line-item data like item name, quantity, tax amount, and shipping details.
Why Use Level III Advantage?
Here’s why merchants choose to use Level III Advantage:
Lower Processing Costs
Sending extra transaction details can qualify you for lower fees, especially on commercial and purchasing cards.Better Risk Management
Adding more data reduces fraud risk, making your transactions more secure and trustworthy.B2B & B2G Transaction Optimization
Businesses and government agencies often use purchasing cards. With Level III data, you can offer them optimized rates and potentially win more contracts.
Merchant Considerations
If you process a high volume of business or government payments using commercial or purchasing cards, Level III Advantage can lead to meaningful savings. This service is especially valuable if:
You sell products to large corporations or agencies.
Your average transaction amount is high.
You use a Virtual Terminal or recurring billing setup.
Supported Card Types
Level III Advantage supports transactions processed with the following card brands:
Visa
Mastercard
Common Questions
Do I need to enter all the extra data manually?
Not always. Many systems can automate this with templates or prefilled fields. There’s also an option to apply Level III data automatically across all transactions.
Is this only for large businesses?
No. Any merchant who accepts commercial or government cards can benefit—even small businesses.
Will this slow down my checkout process?
No, especially if using automatic Level III features or templates.
Need Help?
If you have questions or need assistance activating or configuring Automatic Card Updater, please contact your Merchant Service Provider.