I believe there is a per transaction fee element to what Visa/MasterCard/ American Express charge. So its in their financial interest to split the bill into as

I believe there is a per transaction fee element to what Visa/MasterCard/ American Express charge. So its in their financial interest to split the bill into as few transactions as possible. (source: http://www.businessknowhow.com/money/creditcardprocessing.htm http://www.businessknowhow.com/money/creditcardprocessing.ht... )