Visa Isn't Anti-Competitive, It's Everywhere You Want It To Be

In a recent article published in the Wall Street Journal, it was reported that credit-card giant Visa offered Costco a rather princely, anti-competitive deal in 2014. At least that’s the impression conveyed by the aforementioned article. Please read on.

At the time of Visa’s bid, American Express was the only credit card Costco customers could use if they “wanted to buy everything from mega-packs of paper towels to grass-fed organic steaks.” Visa offered the retail behemoth $150 million to replace Amex at Costco warehouses, and it included a discount on swipe fees exclusive to Costco. Please keep “behemoth” in mind as you continue to read.