Free Same-Day Setup
Activate your merchant account in minutes and begin accepting cards right away—at no cost.
Zero-Fee Credit Card Processing
Keep every dollar with Cathedral Payments’ Zero-Fee Credit Card Processing. New federal guidelines let you legally pass card fees to customers, wiping out monthly processing costs. Accept payments online or in-store without slicing into your margins—start saving on every sale today.
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How does the Zero-Fee Credit Card Processing work?
Fees are removed at time of sale
Cathedral Payments software removes processing fees by incorporating them into the sale, passing them to the customer at the time of sale.
Customers with cash are rewarded
Every customer that pays with cash avoids paying the 3.9% fee for card processing.
Your business keeps 100% of the sale
Customers can pay for the convenience of using a credit card letting your business earn every cent
Cathedral Payments software removes processing fees by incorporating them into the sale, passing them to the customer at the time of sale.
Customers with cash are rewarded
Every customer that pays with cash avoids paying the 3.9% fee for card processing.
Your business keeps 100% of the sale
Customers can pay for the convenience of using a credit card letting your business earn every cent
Simplify Payments with Zero-Fee Credit Card Processing
Surcharging and Cash Discounting programs allow businesses to accept credit cards without absorbing processing costs. With zero credit card processing fees, merchants can retain more of their revenue while offering flexible payment options to customers. Our Zero-Fee Credit Card Processing solution ensures compliance, transparency, and seamless integration into your current system. Whether you're a small shop or a high-volume retailer, this approach helps you reduce overhead and stay profitable. For businesses needing even more control and flexibility, we also offer secure and customizable Payment Gateways tailored to your processing needs.
Start Processing Payments for Free
Free setup, free hardware, and zero-cost onboarding so you keep 100 % of every sale.
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Surcharging & Cash Discounting FAQs
What’s the difference between a surcharge and a cash discount?
A surcharge adds a fee above the listed price for customers using credit cards. A cash discount reduces the listed price when customers pay in cash. The key is how prices and fees are presented — reversed methods risk non-compliance.
Is surcharging legal everywhere?
Not quite. It’s restricted or banned in some U.S. states—like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York—so businesses must check local rules before implementing.
What compliance steps are required for surcharging?
To be compliant, you must:
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Register with card brands (e.g., MasterCard) 30 days before starting
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Add a surcharge addendum to your merchant agreement
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Post clear signage at the entrance and checkout, stating the exact surcharge and that debit cards aren’t affected.
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Why would a business choose cash discounting instead?
Cash discount programs are legal in all 50 states. You list the card price and offer a lower price for cash. It’s seen as a discount, not a penalty, often creating less customer friction.
Can I surcharge debit or prepaid cards too?
No—surcharging debit or prepaid cards is explicitly prohibited by card network rules, even in states where surcharging credit cards is allowed.
How do I decide between surcharging and cash discounting?
It depends on your location, setup, and customer mix. Surcharging recovers credit-card fees directly but needs stricter compliance. Cash discounting is more universal and often less controversial. Either way, transparent pricing is critical.
