California Flat Rate: one clear rate for every card sale
Flat Rate keeps pricing easy for California restaurants, retailers, clinics, and service businesses: one blended number for card sales instead of a long fee list. CMS builds your rate from a recent processing statement or from your industry, expected volume, and how customers pay — then shows estimated monthly savings next to what you pay today.
What you get
- One blended rate for credit and debit card sales
- Statement-based estimate when you already process
- Market offer for new California businesses
- Side-by-side compare with Surcharge & Cash Discount
Built for how California businesses actually get paid
High card mix on the coast, everyday retail inland, and service volume in the Central Valley can look very different on a statement. Flat Rate does not invent savings — it prices your book so you can see a clear monthly number. If Flat Rate wins the comparison, you keep a simple rate. If Surcharge or Cash Discount keeps more under California's disclosure rules, your review says so in plain language.
- No jargon about behind-the-scenes fee stacks on the customer quote
- Available in all 50 states — California is a priority market for CMS
- Confirm operating state during intake before activation
Surcharge & Cash Discount
Some California merchants save more when customers help cover eligible credit (up to 3% with clear disclosures), or when cash and check get about 3.5% off a card-inclusive posted price.