I think the best solution is to offer a better payment system to merchants and consumers. Merchants accept rewards cards because it is what their customers hav

I think the best solution is to offer a better payment system to merchants and consumers. Merchants accept rewards cards because it is what their customers have and want to use- customer shave and want to use them because they are convenient (accepted by most merchants) and the reward is an extra. If you can offer a secure payment system that is adopted by a significant portion of the market (make it even more convenient than rewards cards), while offering merchants significantly lower fees, eventually most merchants will accept your payment method- and as more consumers use it, many merchants will begin to stop accepting rewards cards and paying the high fees. This is a long haul strategy, and likely a costly battle to fight. Is it worth it?