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Starting out: hotels and guest houses

Your First Card Machine for Hotels and guest houses: What to Get

For new hotels and guest houses, start with a terminal that costs nothing upfront and has no monthly fee, such as Flatpay's at 1.49% on every card. One catch matters when you are new: Flatpay expects at least £1,100 a month in card takings (assessed over the year) or charges £39 a month. If you expect less than that at first, a pay-as-you-go reader from SumUp (£25) or Square (£19) can cost less until trade builds.

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What to start with: a terminal now, a pos when orders get busy

A POS adds tables, saved orders, split bills and kitchen printing. Flatpay's POS bundles cost from £1,495 and are charged at 1.69%, against 1.49% and nothing upfront for the terminal alone, so many new cafes and takeaways start with the terminal.

Your set-up checklist

  • Overseas guests and cards
  • Bar and restaurant bills
  • Payment at check-out
  • Deposits taken at booking

How Flatpay covers it

  • One flat rate on every card, including overseas and premium cards
  • Overseas guests can pay in their own currency (DCC)
  • POS for the bar and restaurant
  • The same rate for every card type

Worth checking first

  • Room deposits are usually taken by your booking engine, not the terminal
  • Ask how pre-authorisations are handled if you take card guarantees

Want the numbers for your business? We will arrange a free Flatpay quote and a call from a local sales manager.

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Premium, reward and overseas cards: no extra charge

Customers buying something expensive often pay on a reward credit card to collect points, and visitors pay on overseas cards. Many providers charge you more for those. Flatpay charges the same rate for every card type.

Fee on a £5,000 payment on an overseas cardCost to you
Flatpay£74.50
Zettle£87.50
Stripe Terminal (non-EEA card)£145.10
Square (non-UK card)£185.00
  • Flatpay: "You pay the same low rate for every card type." Its UK pages do not list which card networks it accepts, so American Express is confirmed on your quote. source
  • Overseas customers with eligible Visa and Mastercard cards can choose to pay in their own currency. Flatpay charges no extra fee for this and shares 1% of the conversion mark-up with the business as a discount on its fees. source
  • Square: 1.75% on UK cards; 1.75% plus 1.95% on non-UK cards. source
  • Stripe Terminal: 1.4% + 10p on EEA cards; 2.9% + 10p on non-EEA cards. source
  • Zettle: the same 1.75% for major cards and wallets, "even American Express". source

More on premium, Amex and overseas cards

What will card payments cost you in year one?

Fees on your card takings plus the cheapest terminal each provider sells. Published rates, checked 21 October 2026.

  1. 1.Flatpay£715
  2. 2.Worldpay£720
  3. 3.Dojo£725
  4. 4.SumUp£836
  5. 5.Square£859
  6. 6.Zettle by PayPal£869
  7. 7.Stripe Terminal£913

Flatpay includes its £39 monthly charge when takings are under its £1,100 minimum. Stripe includes 10p per payment. Optional monthly plans, VAT on hardware and providers with no published rate are left out. Your own quote may differ.

Card machines for hotels and guest houses near you

Other new businesses

Questions

What card machine should new hotels and guest houses start with?

A terminal now, a POS when orders get busy. A POS adds tables, saved orders, split bills and kitchen printing. Flatpay's POS bundles cost from £1,495 and are charged at 1.69%, against 1.49% and nothing upfront for the terminal alone, so many new cafes and takeaways start with the terminal.

What should a small hotel look for in a card machine?

The same rate on overseas and premium cards, a POS for the bar and restaurant, and a booking engine that takes deposits. The terminal handles payment on site; the booking engine handles payment in advance.

More card machine guides

Sources, last checked 21 October 2026

Facts about Flatpay come from Flatpay's own website; to get a quote, use the form on this page.

flatpay.com (pricing), flatpay.com (pricelist), flatpay.com (terminal), flatpay.com (hotel)

Want the numbers for your business? We will arrange a free Flatpay quote and a call from a local sales manager.

Get my free quote

GetBrent is an independent UK directory. We work with Flatpay and may receive a fee if you sign up through this page; that does not change the facts shown, which come from each provider's own website or the regulator, checked 21 October 2026. Terms change, so check your own agreement.

Your First Card Machine for Hotels and guest houses: What to Get | GetBrent