What is a merchant surcharge program?

A merchant surcharge program allows businesses to pass credit card processing fees (up to 3%) directly to customers who pay with credit cards. This is fully legal in 47+ states and can save merchants $20,000–$60,000 per year in processing fees.

How does Centurion compare to Square, Stripe, and Clover?

Centurion Payment Services consistently beats Square (2.6%+10¢), Stripe (2.9%+30¢), Clover (2.3-2.6%), and Heartland on effective rates. With our interchange-plus or surcharge programs, most merchants save 20-40% over their current processor.

Do you work with high-risk merchants?

Yes. Centurion specializes in high-risk merchant accounts including CBD, firearms, nutraceuticals, vape, adult content, travel, gaming, and more. We have dedicated high-risk banking relationships and fast approval times.

How quickly can I get set up with Centurion?

Most merchants go live within 48 hours of approval. We handle the entire setup process including equipment programming, gateway integration, and staff training.

What credit card processing rates does Centurion offer?

Centurion offers interchange-plus pricing, flat-rate pricing, and zero-fee/surcharge programs. Rates are customized based on your industry, volume, and processing history. We guarantee to beat your current rate or we'll pay you $500.

Is the merchant surcharge program legal?

Yes. Credit card surcharging is legal in 47+ US states. It is currently prohibited only in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico. Centurion ensures full compliance with state laws and Visa/Mastercard regulations.

What types of businesses do you work with?

Centurion works with all business types: restaurants, retail stores, medical practices, law firms, auto dealers, salons, hotels, e-commerce, contractors, healthcare, dental offices, veterinarians, gyms, nightclubs, dispensaries, and more.

What is Centurion Payment Services?

Centurion Payment Services helps you organize, track, and share your work in 1 unified workspace. Built for teams and solo users who want clarity and speed.

Is a cash discount program legal?

Yes — cash discounting is legal in all 50 states under the Durbin Amendment. Offering a lower price for cash payment has always been permitted under federal law.

What's the difference between cash discount and surcharging?

Surcharging adds a fee to credit card payments; cash discounting builds the fee into posted prices and discounts them for cash. The economics are similar — the right choice depends on your state, industry, and customer mix.

Will I lose customers?

Our merchants across the Midwest consistently report minimal pushback. The key is clear signage and a positive framing — customers keep a free way to pay (cash or debit).

How long does setup take?

Most businesses are approved and live within 48 hours. Centurion provides signage, programs your equipment, and trains your staff at no cost.

Chicago - Cash Discount Program

How Chicago merchants use cash discount (dual pricing) programs to eliminate credit card processing fees while rewarding cash-paying customers.

What Is a Cash Discount Program?

A cash discount program (also called dual pricing) posts prices that include the cost of card acceptance, then gives customers a discount for paying with cash or debit. Card payers pay the posted price; cash payers pay less. The result: your business stops absorbing processing fees altogether.

Unlike surcharging, cash discounting is legal in all 50 states — including everywhere in Illinois — because offering a discount for cash has always been permitted under federal law.

Why It Works So Well in Chicago

Chicago's business community — restaurants, trades and contractors, professional services, and neighborhood retail — includes many businesses with tight margins where a 3% fee on every sale is the difference between a good month and a bad one. Cash discounting converts that fee from an expense into a customer choice.

Customers respond well because the framing is positive: instead of being charged extra for a card, they're rewarded for paying cash. Merchants across the Midwest report smooth transitions and virtually no lost business.

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The Math: A Real Example

A Chicago business doing $60,000/month in sales, 70% by card, pays roughly $1,260/month in processing at 3% — over $15,000 per year. With Centurion's cash discount program that cost drops to essentially zero, while the business also collects slightly more cash, reducing card volume further.

Setup is free, includes compliant signage and terminal programming, and most merchants go live within 48 hours.

Start Your Zero-Fee Program

Centurion has helped hundreds of merchants across the Midwest and nationwide implement compliant cash discount programs. Month-to-month terms, no setup cost, and a specialist available at (561) 221-2273. Request your free rate analysis below and see exactly what zero-fee processing looks like for your business.