AIB Merchant Services Review (2025) — and Why Many Irish Merchants Are Switching to Worldpay Card Machines

1. What AIB Merchant Services Brings to the Table

Allied Irish Bank Merchant Services (AIB MS) is the country’s biggest payment acquirer. Through a joint venture with First Data (now FIS), it resells Clover smart terminals plus standard Ingenico and PAX card machines. Features include:

• Chip‑and‑PIN, contactless and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• Dynamic Currency Conversion and tax‑free shopping forms
• A browser‑based virtual terminal and Authipay payment gateway

Accepted Cards

Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay and the major digital wallets.

2. Fees and Contracts — Where AIB Loses its Shine

AIB quotes bespoke fees, but merchants we spoke to report the following ball‑park figures:

• Setup fee: €0 – €200
• Terminal rental: €25 – €45 per month
• Merchant account: €4 per month
• Transaction fees: 1 % – 3 % + €0.02 authorisation
• PCI fee: €15 per month (plus €25 non‑compliance penalty)
• Minimum monthly service charge: ~€30
• Contract lock‑in: 12–48 months, with hefty early‑termination fees

“The rates aren’t terrible for a high‑volume retailer, but the layered extras add up fast for smaller outfits.” — Payments consultant interviewed, May 2025

3. Support & Settlement Times

AIB promotes “account manager” support lines, yet online reviews are mixed: long hold times and ticket ping‑pong between AIB, Clover and First Data. Payouts can be up to a week, although some merchants on special terms report faster deposits.

4. Who Will Still Like AIB?

• Multi‑site retailers already banking with AIB
• Businesses that need DCC or tax‑free forms baked in
• Merchants processing €100k+ per month and willing to sign multi‑year deals

Everyone else may find the layered charges, rental bills and contract clauses harder to swallow.

5. A Modern Alternative: Worldpay Card Machines from Truepos

Worldpay is the UK‑and‑Ireland arm of FIS that focuses purely on payments — and when you order through Truepos, you can choose contract or no‑contract pricing:

• €0 rental on Castles S1MINI2 (portable) or Ingenico Move/Desk range
• Flexible plans — switch between rolling monthly or 12‑/ 36‑month terms
• Transparent, negotiable rates published up‑front
• Next‑day payouts direct to any Irish bank account
• Local support from the Truepos team, seven days a week

Why Merchants Prefer Worldpay via Truepos

6. Verdict

AIB Merchant Services is still a heavyweight for corporate retailers who need bank‑level extras, but the hidden costs, multi‑year contracts and slower payouts leave many SMEs unconvinced.
If you want bank‑grade security without the bank‑style lock‑in, a Worldpay card machine from Truepos delivers the same reliable processing on far simpler, clearer terms.

Ready to Compare in Real Time?

Speak to a Truepos payments specialist about Worldpay contract or no‑contract options and get a tailored quote in minutes.