Rogers to Charge 1.6 Percent Fee on Credit Card Payments

The telecommunications firm will implement the new processing fee for most customers beginning January 17, 2027.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Credit Cards

Rogers to Charge 1.6 Percent Fee on Credit Card Payments

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Is it worth avoiding credit card processing fees by switching to pre-authorized bank payments?

Beginning January 17, 2027, Rogers will apply a 1.6 percent processing fee to phone and internet bill payments made via credit card. This charge is intended to offset the costs the company incurs from credit card providers.

Why it matters

The fee is being introduced as telecommunication carriers seek to pass on merchant processing costs directly to consumers. Rogers is authorized to implement this charge following a ruling by the CRTC that telecommunications companies do not require permission to levy such fees.

The new 1.6 percent fee matches the logic of previous industry attempts, such as the 1.5 percent fee briefly implemented by Telus in 2022 before its reversal.

The players

Rogers

Rogers is a major Canadian telecommunications company that provides wireless, cable, and internet services across the country.

CRTC

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is the public authority that regulates telecommunications and broadcasting in Canada.

Telus

Telus is a national telecommunications provider that previously tested credit card processing fees before reversing the policy.

The details

Customers can avoid the 1.6 percent surcharge by utilizing alternative payment methods, including online banking, direct bank debit, cheques, prepaid cards, or gift cards. Residents of Quebec and customers on specific plans, such as Connected for Success or migrated former Shaw Mobile accounts, are exempt from the fee.

August 2022: Telus requested CRTC permission to add credit card fees.
2022: Telus implemented a credit card processing fee.
2023: Telus reversed its decision to charge credit card fees.
January 17, 2027: Rogers will begin charging the credit card processing fee.

Market Dynamics

This move reflects a broader trend of telecommunications firms shifting transaction costs to consumers to offset payment processing margins. The policy follows the regulatory precedent established by the CRTC, though it remains restricted in specific jurisdictions by provincial consumer protections.

Consumers can mitigate this impact by switching their recurring bill payments to non-credit options like direct debit or online banking. Those residing in Quebec are automatically excluded from the charge due to local consumer protection laws.

The takeaway

Customers should audit their current billing payment methods before the January 17, 2027, implementation date to avoid the new surcharge. Utilizing bank debit or online banking remains the most effective strategy to bypass these additional processing costs.