What is a cash discount program?

It’s a special type of merchant account that lets businesses pass the cost of credit card acceptance on to their cardholders.

Merchant Surcharge Program

Q: How does the program work?

When the purchase takes place, a small customer service fee is applied to all transactions. If the customer pays with cash, this fee is removed.

With the merchant surcharge program, businesses can add a fixed 3.5% fee to all credit card transactions at the checkout to help cover the cost of processing credit cards.

This is a compliant surcharge program with a simple flat discount rate for credit card transactions.

Accept all major credit card brands. Process payments online, in your store or retail location, through a virtual terminal, via invoicing through a hosted payment page, or on mobile devices.

Accept Payments With a Surcharge Merchant Account

Retail merchant account solutions and card-not-present payment solutions are available under the surcharge merchant account program. The surcharge merchant account program is available for retail and online processing accounts.

Here’s what you get access to:

Complimentary Access to Reporting Dashboard

The account comes with a reporting center that allows you to view statements, batch reports and transactions in real time.

EMV Capatible Terminals and Equipment

You can accept chip cards, contactless payments such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.

EMV & NFC Enabled

Seamless Integration

Once your account is enabled for surcharging, you can use CardPointe VT, CardPointe HPP or the CardPointe API to accept payments.

Surcharge Merchant Account FAQ’s

How is the fee charged?

The special point of sale equipment does all the work for you. The customer service fee is automatically charged at the point fo sale so you don’t need to any manual work!

What types of businesses can participate in cash discount?

Nearly any type of business can offer a cash discount program as long as approval is granted. (approval is required for all accounts)

Is it allowed in all 50 states?

Cash discount is federally legal and allowed in all 50 states. (cash discount programs are a different program than surcharging which does have some limitations)

What is a surcharge program?

It’s a special type of merchant account that adds a surcharge fee on top of the normal listed and stated price of a credit card transaction. It’s important to note that you cannot profit from the surcharge program.

How does the program work?

When the merchant account is set up, your business is properly registered with card associations to participate in the surcharge merchant account program.

Is it legal to have a surcharge on credit card purchases?

It’s legal in some states, but the cash discount program here is legal in all 50 states. Generally businesses can charge less when accepting cash but the key difference is in surcharging vs. discounting for cash.

Accept Payments The Way You Want To

All of these merchant account types can be set up and tailored to fit the needs of your business. Your business doesn’t have to fit exactly into one of these solution types, we can customize and blend different processing account types to fit your needs.

Retail Merchant Account

This retail payment system allows you to accept credit card payments in your retail store with a dedicated credit card terminal.

Mobile Payment Processing

Start accepting mobile payments with iOS and Android compatible mobile apps that accept EMV cards and traditional cards.

Cash Discount ($0 Fees) Processing

Pay 0% to process credit cards with a compliant cash discount program. We offer retail, mobile and online cash discount processing.

Online Merchant Account

This online payment system gives you a virtual terminal and a hosted payment page customized to your business!

POS System Merchant Account

Swipe, dip or tap payments with a sleek and cutting edge POS terminal. Equipped to handle inventory and more!

Schedule a Free Consultation

There are lots of options when it comes to setting up a merchant account or payment processing system so if you’d like to talk with one of our specialists about your needs, click below to do so.

Yes. Let's Talk!