Why was I charged more than 1.5% + 20p?

The ~1.5% + 20p* figure is Stripe's typical rate for a standard UK card. Premium and corporate cards cost more, and European or international cards also cost more. Earnings estimates the starred rate. Sway still only takes your plan's platform fee. The extra is Stripe — check that payment's fee breakdown in Stripe, or see Stripe's UK pricing: https://stripe.com/gb/pricing

Are fees charged on refunds?

Stripe may retain processing fees on refunded payments. Sway platform fees are reversed when you issue a full refund through Sway.

Customers Business

Platform & Stripe fees

Understand Sway platform fees and Stripe card processing charges on online payments.

Quick answer: Online card payments incur Stripe processing fees plus a small Sway platform fee (2.4% Free, 0.5% Individual, 0.35% Team). Stripe typically charges ~1.5% + 20p* for standard UK cards; premium and corporate cards cost more. Pay-at-venue bookings have no Sway fee.

3 min readFor BusinessReviewed 22 September 2026

Open Billing in Sway

Overview

When customers pay by card online, Stripe processes the payment to your connected account. Sway takes a small platform fee on those transactions. Pay-at-venue bookings don't incur a Sway fee.

Plan	Platform fee (online payments)
Free	2.4%
Individual	0.5%
Team	0.35%

Sway platform fee by plan

Card	Typical Stripe processing fee
Standard UK cards	~1.5% + 20p*
Premium / corporate UK cards	Higher — set by Stripe
European and international cards	Higher — set by Stripe

*Standard UK cards. Premium and corporate cards, and non-UK cards, cost more. Stripe sets these rates.

Note

Stripe card processing fees apply separately — typically ~1.5% + 20p* for standard UK cards. Premium and corporate cards cost more. Sway does not set Stripe's rates.

Stripe's UK pricing

Platform fee shown on billing page — Your platform fee depends on your Sway plan.

Before you start

Sway plans comparedRead →Open Payments settings in Sway

Where fees appear

Check your plan fee on Billing
Plan cards show your platform fee rate. Upgrading lowers the percentage on online payments.
Look for: Billing
Higher plans have lower platform fees.
View fee details on Payments or Earnings
Payments settings and Earnings include an example for a standard UK card*. Earnings figures are estimates — the exact Stripe fee is on the payment in Stripe.
See how Stripe and Sway fees combine on a sample booking.

What happens next

Fees are deducted automatically when customers pay online. Your Stripe payout is the booking amount minus Stripe's actual processing fee (which varies by card) and Sway's platform fee.

Changing your planRead →

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

No Sway platform fee. Stripe fees only apply when customers pay by card online.

Still need help?

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