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.

What is a cash discount program?

A cash discount program offers customers a discount for paying with cash or debit, while customers who pay with credit cards pay the posted price which includes a service fee. This effectively eliminates credit card processing costs for the merchant.

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.

What's the maximum surcharge I can charge?

Card-brand rules cap surcharges at your actual cost of acceptance, with an absolute maximum of 3%. Centurion programs your equipment so you never exceed the legal cap.

Can I surcharge debit cards?

No — surcharging debit or prepaid cards is prohibited even when the customer runs them 'as credit.' Centurion's terminals automatically detect card type and only apply the surcharge to true credit cards.

Do other businesses in Los Angeles surcharge?

Yes — adoption is accelerating fast across the West Coast. Restaurants, auto shops, medical offices, contractors, and retailers are all making the switch as customers grow accustomed to seeing the fee.

What happens if a customer complains?

Customers always have a free option: cash or debit. Clear signage and trained staff make the conversation easy, and Centurion provides scripts and materials that keep the experience positive.

Los Angeles - Surcharge Program

A plain-English guide to credit card surcharge programs for Los Angeles merchants — legality in California, compliance rules, and how to keep 100% of every sale.

Is Credit Card Surcharging Legal in California?

Yes. Credit card surcharging is legal in California and in 47+ U.S. states. Federal court rulings cleared the way years ago, and Visa and Mastercard both permit surcharging as long as merchants follow disclosure rules and cap the surcharge at the actual cost of acceptance (a maximum of 3%).

That means Los Angeles businesses can legally pass processing fees to customers who choose to pay by credit card — while cash, debit, and check payers pay nothing extra.

The Compliance Rules You Must Follow

Compliance is where most DIY attempts go wrong. Card brands require: notifying Visa/Mastercard before you begin, clear signage at the store entrance and point of sale, the surcharge shown as a separate line item on receipts, surcharging credit cards only (never debit — even when run as credit), and staying at or below your actual cost of acceptance.

Centurion handles all of this for you: brand registration, compliant signage, terminal programming that automatically detects debit vs. credit, and correct receipt formatting. You stay fully compliant without thinking about it.

Stop overpaying on processing fees.

Free rate analysis for Los Angeles businesses — response within 1 hour.

Get Free Quote

What a Surcharge Program Means for a Los Angeles Business

Consider a business in Los Angeles processing $80,000/month in card volume at a 2.9% effective rate — that's $2,320/month, or $27,840 a year, in fees. With a compliant surcharge program, that cost drops to essentially zero. The money stays in the business: new equipment, staff, marketing, or simply profit.

Businesses across the West Coast — entertainment businesses, restaurants, e-commerce brands, and boutique retail — are adopting surcharging at record rates for exactly this reason.

Getting Started Takes 48 Hours

Centurion can have your surcharge program approved, programmed, and live within about 48 hours. Setup is free, agreements are month-to-month, and if you ever want to switch back to traditional pricing, you can. Call (561) 221-2273 or request a free consultation below.