FAQs

If you do not find your question below or elsewhere on our website (TouchNet specific questions can be found on our How-To Guide), please email pcihelp@uw.edu.

Can I charge convenience/service/surcharge fees?

If you are interested in charging a fee for your credit transactions, please let us know at pcihelp@uw.edu

What is a payment gateway?

A payment gateway authorizes a credit card transaction for e-commerce transactions.

My customer has provided me a four digit decline code from TouchNet.  How do I tell what this means?

A list of exception codes can be found here: https://secure.touchnet.net/help/ech/default.htm

Select “exception codes for hosted solutions” for credit card transaction code definitions.

What is a chargeback?

A reversal of a credit card payment coming directly from the bank.

What is a MID?

The Merchant Identification Number is the account number assigned to University merchants associated with processing credit cards.

How do I find my MID?
  1. This was the 10-digit number given to you when we set up your merchant account..
  2. MyFD
    Look on the transaction line (03-49 / 03-51)
  3. Merchant Services Fee Report
    You can look up by budget and you'll see all MIDs associated with the budget
  4. Processor reporting
    Merchant Connect (Elavon) or ClientLine (FiServ/KeyBank) - MID is on the top of the statements
Do you handle ProCard questions?

We do not. Please reach out to procard@u.washington.edu for any ProCard questions or concerns.

What types of fees are involved with taking credit cards?

The current fee structure may be found here.

What fees are returned to the merchant on a return transaction?
  1. UW Merchant Fee
    1. Internal UW Merchant Fees are not returned.
  2. Elavon Processor Fees
    1. A transaction charge of $0.03 will occur for the return transaction. 
    2. The previous Elavon transaction fee of $0.03 is not returned. 
    3. The interchange fee(%) varies based on card brand used and transaction type. 
  3. Cvent Fees
    1. Cvent registration fees are not returned. 
Is it true American Express is more expensive to accept?

Due to UW participating in the state contract with American Express, interchange fees are locked at 2.15% compared to an average of 2.25% for Visa and MasterCard. Elavon transaction fees are .03 cents for all cards, including American Express.

I am having issues with my credit card terminal/reader. Who should I contact?

For technical issues, contact Elavon's Premier Services line at 1-800-725-1245. For replacement or new terminal orders, contact pcihelp@uw.edu.

How does our income get deposited into our budget

The settlement data is received from our merchant acquirer Elavon. This data is used to create accounting entries which credit your designated budget. For more information contact bankrec@uw.edu.

If I want to update the merchant budget information who should I contact?

Email pcihelp@uw.edu with all updated information.

How do I obtain reports for the fees we are charged

The fee breakdown can be found in Workday as report R1257.

How do I get access to my MID activity?

MID activity can be found at merchantconnect.com.

Where do I get reports for the revenue we receive through merchant services

Revenue reports can be found here.

Do you have an example template for departmental policy?

Example Credit Card Handling Policy can be found here