If their efforts were actually productive, which they aren't, it wouldn't bother me so much. Their reward depends on everyone else paying higher costs but not getting the reward
The whole shenanigans is only possible because the issuers have a monopoly where the merchant can't charge the true cost of a transition to each specific consumer. If the consumer was paying for his own kickback, the whole party would end. It works because of obfuscation and free loading off others, especially those who pay by debit card and cash.
The whole shenanigans is only possible because the issuers have a monopoly where the merchant can't charge the true cost of a transition to each specific consumer. If the consumer was paying for his own kickback, the whole party would end. It works because of obfuscation and free loading off others, especially those who pay by debit card and cash.