Why Merchants Could Start to Decline Reward Credit Cards

File photo showing Mastercard and Visa credit cards in Zelienople, Pa., on Feb. 20, 2019. AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, FileVisa and Mastercard have proposed a sweeping settlement that could change how Americans use their credit cards—and may leave some premium rewards cards unwelcome at store checkout counters.The agreement, announced on Nov. 10, aims to resolve a two-decade-long class-action lawsuit brought by retailers who accused the two networks of violating antitrust laws by fixing interchange, or “swipe,” fees.