mikeash makes a different point, one I often make: accepting cash is not free. It's a physical item that can get lost or stolen, which means it needs significant physical security when storing or transporting. There are card-only stores, and I imagine the reason is how much is simplifies their physical logistics. (No need for cashing out drawers at the end of shifts, no need for safes on site, no need to pay a company to transport cash to the bank.)
How much does that cost the consumer? Is it less or more than the "tax" what we pay to the credit card companies?
I'm reasonably confident I lose, burn, have stolen from me, or otherwise fail to enjoy the benefit of far less than 2 of every hundred dollars in my wallet.
Not to mention the significant fraud risks when dealing with cash.
Many years ago I worked retail. A few minutes after I sold something to a man, he came back to my counter angrily. He said I'd given him change for a $20, but he'd given me a $50. I was quite certain he'd given me a $20 and he was trying to steal from us. This is not a pleasant situation to be in, and it wouldn't have been possible if he'd paid with a card.
How much does that cost the consumer? Is it less or more than the "tax" what we pay to the credit card companies?