Rogers Communications has announced plans to introduce a new charge for customers who opt to pay their bills using a credit card starting early next year. The Canadian telecommunication company disclosed that a 1.6 per cent “processing charge” will be implemented from January 17 for both auto-pay and one-time credit card transactions. This fee will be applicable each time customers settle their Rogers bills using a credit card, as stated on the company’s official website.
Rogers clarified that the fee will not affect customers in Quebec, individuals on specific “specialized plans,” and former Shaw Mobile customers who transferred to Rogers following the acquisition of Shaw Communications in 2023. A spokesperson from Rogers informed CBC News that the company’s credit card processing expenses have surged by almost 40 per cent since 2020, resulting in an annual cost of around $150 million.
The new fee will not impact alternative payment methods such as direct debit, online banking payments, checks, Rogers gift cards, prepaid cards, Debit Mastercard, and Visa Debit. Rogers justified the fee by noting the industry trend of applying credit card charges, citing it as a common practice across various sectors.
Retail analyst Bruce Winder anticipates that consumers will reluctantly accept the additional charge. He emphasized the importance for companies to explore avenues to reduce costs or enhance revenues, with the implementation of fees being a straightforward method to boost income from existing customers.
Rogers is set to release its financial results ahead of the stock market opening on Friday. Despite reporting stronger sales in the first half of 2026, the company’s Toronto-listed shares have experienced a decline exceeding 10 per cent year-to-date. Marvin Ryder, an associate professor of marketing at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, highlighted that many consumers may not be aware of the transaction fees businesses incur from credit card companies, which can reach up to 3.5 per cent based on the credit card benefits.
Winder mentioned that Rogers is transparently informing consumers about the reasons behind the new fee, attributing the cost to credit card providers rather than solely on the company. In a similar move, telecommunications rival Telus had sought permission from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 2022 to introduce a 1.5 per cent surcharge for landline phone customers using credit cards, which was ultimately rejected by the CRTC.
However, Telus proceeded to implement a 1.5 per cent credit card fee for mobile and home internet customers without requiring regulatory approval. Telus later discontinued the fee in 2023 following an agreement between credit card companies and merchants allowing the direct transfer of costs to customers. Bell confirmed that it presently does not impose any credit card payment fees on its clients.