Host Merchant Services

Transparent Pricing, Real Savings

Understand exact rates and keep more of what you earn—no hidden fees, no guesswork.

Transparent Pricing, Real Savings

Understand exact rates and keep more of what you earn—no hidden fees, no guesswork.

Discover How Interchange Plus Pricing Keeps More Money in Your Business

At Host Merchant Services, we think that payments should be simple, flexible, and cost-effective. That’s why we provide Interchange Plus pricing, a model designed to pass wholesale credit card costs to you plus a small markup, so you do not pay more. We have no hidden fees, no inflated tiers, and no complex statements. Only fair pricing will help your business grow.

Transparent Pricing. Real Savings.

Lower Your Processing Costs with Interchange Plus Pricing from Host Merchant Services

Say goodbye to confusing statements and inflated markups. Getting started with Host Merchant Services gets you Interchange Plus pricing, the most straightforward, fair, and cheapest way to accept payments.

Interchange Plus pricing ensures that, unlike flat rate or tiered pricing, you always pay the actual cost for each transaction without extra layers or hidden fees. With Interchange Plus, your interchange rate is set by the organizations Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and AMEX plus a small, clearly defined HMS margin.

No guesswork. No inflated surcharges. Just honest pricing that rewards your business growth.

Why Do Businesses Choose Interchange Plus?

When you process with HMS, you’re not just getting lower rates — you’re getting control, clarity, and trust built into every transaction.

Here’s why thousands of merchants are switching:

Common Visa and MasterCard Interchange Rates 2025

Card Type Current Interchange Rate
Visa Debit CPS 0.80% + 15¢
Visa Debit CPS Regulated 0.05% + 22¢
MasterCard Debit 1.05% + 22¢
MasterCard Debit Regulated 0.05% + 22¢
Visa Credit CPS Retail 1.51% + 10¢
MasterCard Credit Consumer (Merit III Core) 1.65% + 10¢

Common Visa Interchange and MasterCard Interchange Rates 2025

Card Present Visa Debit Interchange

Visa Debit Interchange Visa Interchange Rate
Visa Debit CPS 0.800% + 15¢
Visa Debit CPS Regulated 0.050% + 22¢
Visa Debit Prepaid 1.510% + 15¢
Visa Debit Business 1.650% + 15¢
Visa Debit Business Regulated 0.050% + 22¢
Restaurant DEB 1.19% + $0.10
Restaurant Debit Regulated 0.05% + $0.22
CPS/Restaurant Prepaid 1.15% + $0.15
Supermarket DEB 0.00% + $0.30
CPS/Supermarket Debit REG 0.05% + $0.22
CPS/Supermarket Prepaid 1.15% + $0.15
VISA Utility DEB 0.00% + $0.65
Utility Debit REG 0.05% + $0.22
Utility Business Prepaid 0.00% + $1.50
Utility Business Debit 0.00% + $1.50
CPS/Auto Fuel Dispenser DB REG 0.05% + $0.22
Hotel Card Present DEB 1.19% + $0.10
CPS/E-Comm - Hotel Debit REG 0.05% + $0.22
CPS/Hotel CNP Prepaid 1.75% + $0.20

Card Present Mastercard Debit Interchange

MasterCard Debit Interchange MasterCard Interchange Rate
MC Debit 1.050% + 15¢
MC Debit Regulated 0.050% + 22¢
MC Debit Prepaid 1.050% + 15¢
M/C Restaurant DEB 1.19% + $0.10
Restaurant - Debit REG 0.05% + $0.21
MC Restaurant Prepaid 1.19% + $0.10
M/C Supermarket DEB 1.05% + $0.15
Supermarket Base - Debit REG 0.05% + $0.21
MC Supermarket Base Prepaid 1.05% + $0.15
M/C Merit 1 Debit Core Real Estate 0.80% + $0.25
M/C Merit 1 Real Estate Prepaid 0.80% + $0.25
Merit 1 Real Estate - Debit REG 0.05% + $0.21
M/C Petro CAT AFD DEB 0.70% + $0.17
Petroleum AFD - Debit REG 0.05% + $0.21
M/C Petroleum AFD Prepaid 0.70% + $0.17
M/C Utilities BUS Debit 0.00% + $1.50
M/C Utility Debit 0.00% + $0.65
M/C Utility Prepaid 0.00% + $0.65
Utilities - Debit REG 0.05% + $0.21
M/C Utilities Business Prepaid 0.00% + $1.50
M/C Travel Premier Lodging Prepaid 1.15% + $0.15
Travel (Tips) Loading DB REG 0.05% + $0.21

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Card Not Present Visa Debit Interchange

Keyed Visa Debit Interchange Visa Interchange Rate
Visa Debit CPS 1.650% + 15¢
Visa Debit CPS Regulated 0.050% + 22¢
Visa Debit Prepaid 1.750% + 20¢
Visa Debit Business 2.450% + 10¢
Visa Debit Business Regulated 0.050% + 22¢
E-Commerce - Basic DEB 1.65% + $0.15
CPS/E-Commerce - Basic Prepaid 1.75% + $0.20
Hotel Card Not Present DEB 1.70% + $0.15

Card Not Present Mastercard Debit Interchange

Keyed MC Debit Interchange MasterCard Interchange Rate
MC Debit Keyed 1.600% + 15¢
MC Debit Regulated Keyed 0.050% + 22¢
MC Debit Keyed Prepaid 1.760% + 20¢

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Get better service for you and your clients

Visa Credit Interchange – Card Present

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Visa CPS Retail 1.510% + $0.10
Visa Rewards Traditional 1.650% + $0.10
Visa Rewards Signature 2.300% + $0.10
Visa Rewards Signature Preferred 2.100% + $0.10
Visa Corporate 2.100% + $0.10
Visa Business 2.200% + $0.10
Visa Purchasing 2.400% + $0.10

Fuel Interchange

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Fuel Consumer Credit 1.15% + $0.25
Commercial Fuel Fleet 2.50% + $0.10
V Level II - Fuel Purchasing 2.20% + $0.10
V Level II - Fuel Corporate 2.20% + $0.10

Restaurant Interchange

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Restaurant Consumer CP 2.10% + $0.00
Restaurant Consumer CP Min 0.00% + $0.04
Restaurant Sign Prefer CP 2.60% + $0.00
Restaurant Sign Prefer CP Min 0.00% + $0.04

Supermarket Interchange

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Visa Supermarket Qualification 1.50% + $0.07
Visa Supermarket Trad 1.50% + $0.07
Visa Supermarket Rewards 1.50% + $0.07
Visa Supermarket Sign INF 1.65% + $0.07
Visa Supermarket Sign PREF 2.00% + $0.07

Insurance Interchange

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Insurance Consumer 1.43% + $0.05
Insurance Consumer rewards 1.43% + $0.05
Insurance Signature 1.43% + $0.05
Insurance Signature Prefer 2.25% + $0.10

Utility Interchange

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rates
Visa Utility 0.0% + $0.75
Visa Utility - Business Card 0.0% + $1.50

Travel Interchange

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Travel Services Consumer 1.75% + $0.10
Travel Services Consumer REWD 1.95% + $0.10
Travel Services Signature PREF 2.40% + $0.10

Education Interchange

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Education Consumer 1.43% + $0.05
Education Consumer Rewards 1.43% + $0.05
Education Signature 1.43% + $0.05
Education Signature Preferred 2.15% + $0.10

Advertising Interchange

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Advertising Consumer 1.55% + $0.10
Advertising Consumer Rewards 1.70% + $0.10
Advertising Signature 1.75% + $0.10
Advertising Signature Preferred 2.30% + $0.10

Healthcare Interchange

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Healthcare Consumer 1.43% + $0.05
Healthcare Consumer Rewards 1.43% + $0.05
Healthcare Signature 1.43% + $0.05
Healthcare Signature Preferred 2.30% + $0.10

Mastercard Credit Interchange – Card Present

Category Card Type Interchange Rate
Retail MC Consumer 1.580% + $0.10
Retail MC Enhanced 1.800% + $0.10
Retail MC World 1.770% + $0.10
Retail MC World Elite 2.300% + $0.10
Retail MC Corporate 1.900% + $0.10

Restaurant Interchange

Card Type Interchange Rate
World M/C Restaurant 1.85% + $0.10
M/C World Elite Restaurant 2.00% + $0.10

Supermarket Interchange

Card Type Interchange Rate
M/C Supermarket 1.45% + $0.10
M/C Enhanced Supermarket Base 1.60% + $0.10
M/C World Elite Supermarket 2.10% + $0.10

Fuel Interchange

Card Type Interchange Rate
M/C Petroleum Base 1.90% + $0.00
World M/C Petroleum Base 2.00% + $0.00
World Elite M/C Petroleum Base 2.00% + $0.00

Real Estate & Property Management Interchange

Card Type Interchange Rate
MC Real Estate Consumer 1.43% + $0.05
MC Real Estate Enhanced 1.43% + $0.05
MC Real Estate World 1.43% + $0.05
MC Real Estate World Elite 2.200% + $0.10
MC Real Estate Corporate 2.650% + $0.10

Insurance Interchange

Card Type Interchange Rate
M/C Merit 1 - INSU 1.43% + $0.05
M/C World Merit 1 - INSU 1.43% + $0.05
M/C World Elite Merit 1 - INSU 2.25% + $0.10
M/C Enhanced Merit 1 - INSU 1.43% + $0.05

Utility Interchange

Card Type Interchange Rate
M/C Utility Credit 0.00% + $0.75
M/C Enhanced Utility 0.00% + $0.75

Travel Interchange

Card Type Interchange Rate
M/C Travel Premier - Lodging 1.65% + $0.10
M/C Travel Premier - Vehicle 1.65% + $0.10
M/C Enhanced Tips - Lodging 1.75% + $0.10

B2B Interchange

Card Type Interchange Rate
M/C Commercial Bus To Bus 2.00% + $0.00
M/C CORP Standard Business 2.95% + $0.10
M/C World Business COMM Standard 2.95% + $0.10
M/C COMM Bus To Bus 2 1.80% + $0.00
M/C COMM Bus To Bus 3 1.60% + $0.00
M/C COMM Bus To Bus 4 1.40% + $0.00
M/C COMM Bus To Bus 5 1.20% + $0.00
M/C COMM Bus To Bus 6 1.00% + $0.00

Services Interchange

Card Type Interchange Rate
M/C SVC INDS Incentive PROG 1.15% + $0.05
M/C Enhanced Service Industry 1.15% + $0.05
World M/C Service Industries 1.15% + $0.05
M/C High Value Service Industrie 1.15% + $0.05

Public Sector Interchange

Card Type Interchange Rate
M/C Public Sector CP Credit 1.55% + $0.10
M/C Enhanced Public Sector CP 1.55% + $0.10
World M/C Public Sector CP 1.55% + $0.10
M/C High Value Public Sector CP 1.55% + $0.10

HMS Agents
Up to $100K Ramp-Up Bonus

Visa Credit Interchange – Card Not Present (Keyed)

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Visa Keyed CPS Retail 1.800% + $0.10
Visa Keyed Rewards Traditional 1.950% + $0.10
Visa Keyed Rewards Signature 2.700% + $0.10
Visa Keyed Rewards Signature Preferred 2.300% + $0.10/td>
Visa Keyed Corporate 2.950% + $0.10
Visa Keyed Business 2.950% + $0.20
Visa Keyed Purchasing 2.950% + $0.10

Restaurant Keyed Interchange

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Restaurant Consumer CNP 2.20% + $0.00
Restaurant Consumer CNP Min 0.00% + $0.04
Restaurant Sign Prefer CNP 2.70% + $0.00
Restaurant Sign Prefer CNP Min 0.00% + $0.04

Visa Charity Interchange Rates

Card Type / Category Visa Interchange Rate
Visa Debit (Regulated) 0.050% + $0.22
Visa Charity Credit 1.350% + $0.05
PayPal Donation 2.200% + $0.30

Mastercard Credit Interchange – Card Not Present (Keyed)

Card Type / Category Mastercard Interchange Rate
MC Keyed Consumer 1.95% + $0.10
MC Keyed Enhanced 2.10% + $0.10
MC Keyed World 2.20% + $0.10
MC Keyed World Elite 2.950% + $0.10
MC Keyed Corporate 2.650% + $0.10

Mastercard Public Sector Interchange – Card Not Present

Card Type Mastercard Interchange Rate
M/C Public Sector CNP Credit 1.55% + $0.10
M/C Enhanced Public Sector CNP 1.55% + $0.10
World M/C Public Sector CNP 1.55% + $0.10
M/C High Value Public Sector CNP 1.55% + $0.10

Mastercard Charity Interchange Rates

Card Type / Category Mastercard Interchange Rate
MC Debit (Regulated) 0.050% + $0.22
MC Charity Debit (Non-regulated) 1.450% + $0.15
MC Charity Credit 2.000% + $0.10
PayPal Donation 2.200% + $0.30

Visa International Interchange Rates

Card Type / Category Interchange Rate
Visa International 1.100%
Visa International Premium 1.100%
Visa International Corporate 2.000%
Visa International Keyed 1.600%

Mastercard International Interchange Rates

Card Type / Category Interchange Rate
MC International 1.100%
MC International Keyed 1.600%

Visa & Mastercard Association Fees

Fee Type Rate / Fee
Visa Card-Brand Credit Acquirer Service Fee 0.1400%
Visa Card-Brand Debit Acquirer Service Fee 0.1300%
Visa NAPF (Network Acquirer Processing Fee) $0.0195
Visa Clearing Access $0.0025
Visa International Cross-Border 0.8000%
Visa Intl Acquirer Service Fee 0.4500%
Visa FANF – Card-Present Per Location $2 / month
Visa FANF – Keyed Volume $1,000–$3,999 $7 / month
Mastercard Card-Brand (Under $1,000) 0.1300%
Mastercard Card-Brand (Over $1,000) 0.1400%
Mastercard Account Status Inquiry $0.025

Mastercard Association Fees

Fee Type Rate / Fee
MC Card-Brand (Under $1,000) 0.1300%
MC Card-Brand (Over $1,000) 0.1400%
MC Card-Brand Debit (Over $1,000) 0.1300%
MC ALF (Acquirer License Fee) 0.0047%
MC NABU (Network Brand Usage Fee) $0.00195
MC Account Status Inquiry (on $0 auth) $0.0250
MC CVC 2 Authorization Fee $0.0025
MC AVS Authorization Fee $0.0100
MC Intl Cross-Border Support 0.6000%
MC International Cross-Border 0.8500%
MC – Per Location Annual Fee 2016 $7.50/year
MC – Per Location Annual Fee 2017+ $15/year

The HMS Advantage — Beyond Transparent Pricing

Some businesses face more challenges than others, whether it’s higher chargebacks, stricter regulations, or industry stigma. But we beg to differ in that view; no one should stop you from accepting payments and growing your business.

Experience Real Savings with Interchange Plus

Join thousands of merchants who’ve simplified their payment processing and lowered their costs with Host Merchant Services. Get a custom rate quote today and see how much you can save — instantly and transparently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HMS PCI compliant?

Yes, all HMS systems meet PCI security standards for safe transactions.

Does HMS support recurring or subscription payments?

Yes, HMS can process recurring payments for memberships, classes, or services.

Are there hidden fees with HMS?

No, HMS uses transparent interchange-plus pricing with no long-term contracts.

Can I get next-day funding with HMS?

Yes, deposits typically arrive in your account the next business day.

What is the average interchange fee in the U.S.?

In the U.S., the average interchange fee is about 1.81%. In-person payments average 1.71%, while online transactions are higher at 1.91% due to greater fraud risk.

Who earns money from interchange fees?

The card-issuing bank receives the interchange fee

Can interchange rates be negotiated?

Not directly—these rates are set by the card networks. HMS offers transparent pricing and low markups.

Who sets interchange rates?

Visa, Mastercard, and other card networks establish the rates.

How do you explain interchange rates?

They are the base fee paid to card issuers for processing a card transaction.

How are interchange rates calculated?

Rates depend on card type, transaction type, and merchant category.

How much do card issuers make on the interchange?

It varies but can be a few cents to several dollars per transaction, depending on the card.

What is an example of an interchange rate?

A standard consumer Visa card might have a rate of 1.51% + $0.10 per transaction.

What is the difference between the merchant discount rate and interchange fee?

The merchant discount rate includes the interchange fee plus HMS’s markup and network fees.