The OHI Government Affairs team members returned to Washington, D.C., meeting with U.S. senators to push for the passage of the Credit Card Competition Act (S. 1838).
The bipartisan legislation aims to reduce credit card swipe fees that burden RV parks and campgrounds by introducing competition in transaction processing.
In collaboration with the Merchant Payments Coalition (MPC), OHI is working to protect its members from rising credit card fees.
Visa and Mastercard control the majority of the U.S. credit card marketplace, charging over $100 billion in swipe fees in 2023. Small businesses, including family-owned campgrounds, are among those most affected by these costs.
One example is Mecca Camp Resort, a 33-site campground in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, which incurs more than $12,000 annually in credit card processing fees. These expenses have a significant impact on the campground’s overall profitability.
The Credit Card Competition Act seeks to reduce these costs by requiring large banks to offer multiple network options for processing transactions. This move would limit the Visa-Mastercard duopoly, which critics argue inflates transaction fees for businesses.
“Persistence is key with this important issue. OHI is committed to the fight for fair competition in the credit card marketplace,” President and CEO Paul Bambei said.
“Every conversation on Capitol Hill brings us closer to real change, and we’re here to make sure the voices of our members and the entire industry resonate,” Bambei added.
OHI has called on campground owners and operators across the U.S. to stay informed and actively engage in advocacy efforts. As part of these efforts, OHI has published resources on its website to help businesses understand the impact of credit card fees and how they can support ongoing legislative action.
OHI, formerly known as National ARVC, is the leading association representing private RV parks and campgrounds across North America. Its 3,000 members receive access to education, networking, business tools, and advocacy services.