US Card Systems Review

Rates and Fees
90/100
Truth in Advertising
95/100
Consumer Reviews
90/100
Customer Support
95/100
5

Best for

U.S. Card System's products and services suit small- and medium-sized businesses needing both point of sale (POS) and virtual terminal payment options. Restaurants, retail, and other high-volume payment businesses benefit from efficient processing and reconciliation capabilities.

Specializes in

This payment processor specializes in fraud prevention, "card-not-present" processing, automated reconciliation, POS, and virtual processing that integrates with clients' current payment systems. In addition to rapid processing, U.S. Card Systems offers streamlined employee scheduling and inventory management, as well as automated business reports and marketing data capture.

Pricing Summary

Setup Fee: $0

Monthly Fee: Undisclosed

Swipe Rate: 2.90% + $0.30

Keyed-in Rate: 3.30% + $0.30

Early Termination Fee : $250 - $1,000+

Contract Terms:

3 Years
Visit US Card Systems

U.S. Card Systems, Inc. is a Worldpay reseller that provides full-service merchant card processing. Its offerings include reconciliation, employee compensation, automated transfer of merchant funds, installation, and training.

The company is a registered ISO/MSP of Fifth Third Bank, National Association of Cincinnati, Ohio.

US Card Systems Overview

 

U.S. Card Systems bases its operation in Brainard, Minnesota. It ranks as a medium-sized payment processor reseller, serving approximately 60,000 clients. The company utilizes Worldpay as its backend processor, so before signing up with U.S. Card Systems, potential customers should be comfortable with the Worldpay suite of products and services.

This payment processor prides itself on security and fraud prevention, which is no idle boast. U.S. Card Services has earned PCI's Level 1 certification, the highest possible designation. It meets 100% of the security council's criteria, making it an ideal processor for virtual payments, where fraud is most prevalent, as well as high-volume businesses that routinely process thousands of payments per week.

U.S. Card Systems also offers a sophisticated gift card program. The company provides user-friendly programs for creating gift cards with unique logos and custom-designed cards in addition to processing capabilities. Automated customer data capture and detailed marketing reports make targeted gift card distribution effective from a conversion standpoint.

The company's headquarters is listed as 17163 State Highway 371, Brainerd, Minnesota 56401. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), as of January 2021, Brent Kramer serves as President. U.S. Card System's telephone number is listed as 1-866-USCARDS (1-866-872-2737).

Quick Facts

Head Quarters

Brainerd, MN

Year Founded

2003

CEO

Brent Kramer

Employees

15

Merchant Provider Risk Tolerance

What We Like

Zero setup fee

Domestic telephone support during business hours.

Documentation knowledge base available.

Top rated data security.

Automated data capture with analytics reports.

What We Don't Like

Early termination fee.

Three year contract.

Public pricing not available.

Does not disclose all important terms.

Monthly PCI compliance fee.

Industries Served

  • Clothing & Apparel
  • Convenience Store
  • Electronics
  • Gas Station
  • Hunting & Outdoor Equipment
  • Marketing Agency
  • Moving Companies
  • Personal Service
  • Restaurant / Bar
  • SAAS
  • SEO & SEM Services
  • Thrift Store
  • Web Design Services

Business Types Served

  • Ecommerce
  • High Volume
  • Information
  • Low Risk
  • Mobile
  • Mom & Pop
  • MOTO
  • Online
  • Retail / Card Present
  • Small Business
  • Wholesale

US Card Systems Products & Services

 

U.S. Card Systems provides terminal-based solutions and point-of-sale applications, including electronic cash registers and software. Services include credit card processing, equipment sales and leasing, ACH processing, and eCommerce payment processing.

Hardware and Software


As a Worldpay reseller, U.S. Card Systems provides a large selection of hardware and software options that are varied enough to meet most businesses' needs. Some of its payment terminals, which are available for purchase or lease, include the following:

  • Verifone VX520

  • Verifone VX680

  • Ingenico iCT250

  • Ingenico iWL255

  • Dejavoo Z8


Some equipment provides traditional payment terminal functionality, such as the Verifone VX520. Others offer new era capabilities, including the Ingenico iCT250, which can process new payment methods. Some also provide a combination of dial-in, Wi-Fi, and ethernet connections, such as the Dejavoo Z8.

Value-Added Services


The new era calls for more diversity in payment acceptance, and U.S. Card Services stands on the cutting edge. It can take payments from any device, including Smartphones and tablets. This is great for eCommerce. No special equipment is needed to accept payments from anywhere from any source.

Its systems are also customizable, allowing you to create the payment processing infrastructure that best suits your business. U.S. Card Services offers consultation services to help customers define the best set-up for their unique enterprise.

Clients also benefit from a robust reporting system, which allows them to gain a bird's eye view of payment activity or drill down on specific areas. Also, they can manage payroll and inventory through a streamlined process.

Supported Payment Types


U.S. Card Services supports all mainstream payment types, including credit- and debit cards, ACH payments, checks, and recurrent payments. Its website does not indicate if it accepts bitcoin.

US Card Systems Payment Processing

  • Check Guarantee
  • Credit Card Processing
  • Debit Card Processing
  • Gift & Loyalty Program
  • Online Payments
  • Payment Gateway
  • POS Equipment
  • Virtual Terminal

US Card Systems Billing & Invoicing

  • Mobile Payments
  • Multi-Currency
  • Online Payments
  • Payment Processing

US Card Systems Advertising & Sales

 
U.S. Card Systems employs direct sales representatives versus independent salespeople. In this industry, independent sales reps are often seen negatively. They are compensated on commission and may represent more than one company. As such, they have little motivation to protect the reputation of the companies they represent. Some are honest, but others are known to bend the truth or omit pertinent facts about a service or contract to make the sale.

According to online reviews, there are few complaints about unethical sales practices, and most customers indicate they are satisfied with the process. However, the company does utilize telemarketing heavily, leading to some complaints about slamming, or excessive sales calls.

We found two online complaints about this type of activity in the past three years. This is a low level of complaints considering the size of U.S. Card Services, and no complaints exist regarding the products or services. Some customers were frustrated by the lengthy contract and cancellation fees. Compared to the industry as a whole, the contract terms are about average.

The company's marketing material appears to contain no misleading information. Customers note a fast approval process, allowing them to get systems up and running quickly without red tape or excessive credit checks. There is no application fee, and the company promises to meet or beat its competitors, so there is an incentive for potential clients to check with U.S. Card Services to see if they can get a better deal versus their current vendor.

Truth in Marketing

Discloses All Important Terms

No

Public Pricing Available

No

US Card Systems Pricing, Rates & Fees

 

As the backend processor, Worldpay also exercises control over the rates. Though U.S. Card Systems has some flexibility in its rates, most customers can expect the costs to be close to the Worldpay standard, which is 2.90% plus $0.30 for swiped transactions and 3.30% plus $0.30 for those that are keyed-in. However, many merchants say they received lower rates by going through U.S. Card Services than available through Worldpay directly.

U.S. Card Systems can adjust prices, so it is advisable to negotiate with the company to get the best deal, especially if comparison shopping with several payment processors.

Pricing at a Glance

Pricing Model

Interchange PlusTiered Pricing

Swiped Rate

2.90% + $0.30

Keyed-in Rate

3.30% + $0.30

Mobile Payment Rate

Virtual Terminal Rate

1.00% - 4.99%

Monthly Fee

Undisclosed

Payment Gateway Fee

Undisclosed

Batch Fee

Undisclosed

Early Termination Fee

$250 - $1,000+

PCI Compliance Fee

$20 Per Month

Equipment Lease Terms

48 Month (locked)

Address Verification Service (AVS)

Application Fee

$0

Account Setup Fee

$0

Gateway Setup Fee

Undisclosed

Annual Fee

$199

Monthly Minimum

Undisclosed

Statement Fee

US Card Systems Contract & Terms

U.S. Card Systems has a three-year standard contract through Worldpay. An early termination fee of $250 applies, as does a $199 annual fee and $20 PCI non-compliance charge. The company appears to not charge liquidated damages on its standard contract unless there is an equipment lease involved.

This payment processor resells WorldPay equipment leases. When a lease is involved, liquidated damages may apply to early termination. Liquidated damages are the total amount the company loses as a result of the early termination.

Contract Length

3 Years

Early Termination Fee

$250 - $1,000+

US Card Systems Setup & Support

 

Setup Highlights

  • Documentation / Knowledge Base

Support Highlights

  • Domestic Phone Support (Business Hours)

US Card Systems Complaints, Ratings & Reviews

The company has enjoyed accreditation by the BBB since April 2010. It has obtained an A+ grade, making it a top-rated payment processor. Customers have submitted no positive reviews and one complaint.

Customers liked the fast approvals, available customer support, and setup process. Many took advantage of the robust payment capabilities, allowing them to process payments from almost any source and device type.

Any negativity seems to stem from the WorldPay contract and service, which U.S. Card Services, as a reseller, has no direct control. The contract terms are not out of line with the industry average. Owing to its excellent product selection and service, we give U.S. Card Services an above-average rating.

Ratings

BBB

A+(1 complaint)

Google

4.6 Stars / 72 Reviews

Facebook

No Rating yet

Yelp

No Reviews yet

Reviews

Total Online Reviews

100+

Total Online Complaints

Lawsuits

None

US Card Systems Alternatives

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