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Flagship Review
Flagship Review
October 24, 2022 / Danielle Greving
Flagship Review
October 24, 2022 / Danielle Greving
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Intro

Established in 2001, Flagship is a California-based credit card processing company that focuses on supporting small and medium-sized businesses. Flagship stands out from traditional credit card processing companies by offering month-to-month billing with no long-term contracts. The company is also willing to negotiate regarding account fees and processing rates. In most cases, sales agents will agree to sell for lower-than-advertised prices, but customers need to ask for discounts. Flagship offers both a tiered and an interchange-plus pricing methodology.

Pros

  • Offers interchange-plus pricing
  • No application or early termination fees
  • 24/7 customer support

Cons

  • Tiered pricing can be unpredictable
  • Equipment pricing is not listed

Flagship in Brief

Monthly fee

Flagship does not offer much visibility on its website or marketing materials in terms of pricing. The company prefers that new and existing customers reach out to the sales team to obtain detailed pricing information. Generally speaking, most Flagship contracts will include a $25 monthly minimum fee. If your business’s processing volume is low enough to fall under this number, you can negotiate with a sales agent to have this fee lowered or even waived altogether.

Per-swipe fees

Per-swipe fees can vary with Flagship. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay around 1.58% + 19 cents if you opt for the tiered pricing model. If you opt for interchange-plus pricing, you can expect to pay around 0.38% + 19 cents per transaction. However, make sure you understand the details of your contract before signing up. While interchange-plus pricing tends to be easier to predict, rates vary based on card provider and type. The full rate sheet will let you know exactly how much you’re being charged per swipe.

Setup fee

Another benefit of Flagship is that it does not charge any account setup fees. If you plan to process transactions online through your website, Flagship can set you up with authorize.net—its payment gateway that allows you to accept all major debit cards, credit cards, and international transactions. If you need to accept payments on the go, it can set you up with the ROAM app and a swiper that can be plugged into a headphone jack.

Cancellation fee

Flagship does not charge any cancellation fees and it does not require any long-term commitments from its customers.

PCI compliance fee

To keep your account PCI compliant, Flagship may charge you up to $99 per year. This will cover the costs of security scans and other fees. Flagship charges for PCI compliance on an annual basis, so remember that this cost will be on top of your monthly fee.

Best for

Flagship is best for anyone looking for a low-commitment credit card processing company. With no sign-up fees or early termination fees and month-to-month contracting, Flagship is a great option for bricks-and-mortar businesses that don’t want to be locked into long-term contracts.

Terminals

Countertop payment terminals are available for transactions where customers are physically present at your business location. Terminal features vary by model but typically include built-in PIN pads, EMV chip card acceptors, and backlit LCD screens. The terminals are made by a company called Clover, and your business can also opt for the Clover Mini smart terminal. Flagship also offers terminals for virtual and e-commerce businesses. One free terminal is available with every Flagship contract.

POS solutions

Flagship offers Verifone and Clover POS. You can opt for a counter POS system or you can use an iPad, which offers various reporting capabilities. Keep in mind that both the terminal and POS systems require monthly subscription fees on top of the equipment fees.

Merchant Services

In addition to credit card terminals, smart terminals, virtual terminals, and POS systems, Flagship also offers mobile processing. Your business can download the iPayment MobilePay app, which is available on Android and iOS devices. The app works on both smartphones and tablets, and it comes with an EMV-compliant card reader. You’ll also get access to the Merchant Portal through the MobilePay app, which allows you to manage inventory, receive analytical reports, and more. Flagship also has a partnership with Pirq, a company that can provide loyalty programs and gift cards to your customers. Merchant cash advances and same-day funding are also available through Flagship.

Pricing

Flagship doesn’t disclose any pricing via its website, which is typical for merchant service providers. You’ll need to speak with the sales department to obtain a customized quote. As mentioned earlier, Flagship offers both tiered and interchange-plus pricing plans. They’ll almost always offer the more expensive tiered pricing plan in the initial quote, so make sure to negotiate for the more affordable interchange-plus plan.

Included below are some common fees you’ll have to pay with Flagship.

  • Monthly account fee: Starting at around $7.95 per month.
  • Monthly minimum: Generally $25, but you can negotiate to reduce or waive this if your processing volume is low enough.
  • Gateway fee: Typically costs about $7.95 per month.
  • PCI compliance fee: $99 per year.
  • PCI Non-compliance fee. If you don’t take the necessary steps to become PCI compliant, you’ll be charged an additional $19.95 per month for being non-compliant. You can fill out the PCI assessment survey to avoid this fee and non-compliance.

Applying and Contracts

You’ll need to fill out a simple online questionnaire to apply for Flagship. Then, a sales representative will contact you to discuss available contracts. Flagship offers month-to-month contracts. You can cancel your contract at any time without penalty. Flagship also offers a free terminal with each contract. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to return your equipment if you cancel your contract—which could mean that you incur fees for doing so. You’ll need to pay for shipping costs, and you’ll also need to pay a 15-25% restocking fee.

About Flagship

Flagship is a credit card processing company headquartered in Westlake Village, California. The company was established in 2001. In 2012, it was acquired by iPayment. Flagship Merchant Services is a registered ISO of BBVA USA, Birmingham, Alabama—Member FDIC.

Customer Support

Those interested in learning more about Flagship can call the company toll-free at 866-781-8781. Existing merchants or those with a customer service inquiry will need to fill out an online form to get in touch with customer service. Flagship also offers an FAQ page on its website.

Summary

Flagship is an excellent option for businesses seeking a low-commitment merchant-service company. After filling out a simple online form, a sales rep will contact you to discuss pricing. While Flagship generally offers fair pricing, keep in mind that there is room for negotiation—you just need to ask.

You can choose from tiered or interchange-plus pricing, with the interchange-plus plan usually being the better deal. Flagship offers a range of terminals and POS systems for your business, including physical terminals, mobile terminals, and virtual terminals. Once you sign up, you can feel at ease knowing you have the option to cancel your contract at any time.

Get started now, visit Flagship
By Danielle Greving
Danielle is a tech and finance writer with experience in personal finance, cryptocurrency and numerous SaaS companies. Her bylines can be found on MoneyTips, CoinMarketCap, GraniteShares. An avid traveler and former ESL teacher, Danielle's writing blends a wealth of technical and financial knowledge with simple and straightforward explanations for everyday readers.
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