Contactless payment cards explained UK progress

OnePulse Card

Barclaycard's OnePulse also works as an Oystercard

First up was Barclaycard which last year launched a credit card which allows contactless payments plus an built in Oyster card for travel around London. 

The ‘wave and pay’ technology on the OnePulse card can be used to buy everyday items that cost less than £10, such as sweets or a magazine, by touching the card on a special OneTouch reader.

Among the companies accepting OneTouch payments are Books etc, Coffee Republic, Eat, Krispy Kreme, McDonalds, Thresher and Yo! Sushi. 

Barclays is now launching a national scheme where contactless technology is incorporated into customers' standard credit and debit cards. 

By the end of 2008, Barclays aims to have 20,000 shops around the UK taking part. It plans to introduce the one touch cards gradually, as existing cards expire, but you will be able to apply sooner if you want one.

Oyster card

The card also includes an Oyster card for travel in the capital on the tube, buses, trams and the Docklands Light Railway.

The OnePulse card also works like an ordinary credit card for purchases over £10 and all normal credit card and OneTouch transactions are debited directly from a customers Barclaycard.

OneTouch payments will appear with an asterisk on monthly statements.

A transaction won't usually require a PIN - although Barclaycard says that occasionally you may be asked to enter one for security purposes - and if you want a receipt the retailer can supply one.

There are no limits on the number of transactions allowed as long as they are under £10 and stay within the user's credit limit. They then appear on the regular monthly statement.

There’s a pre-registration website that explains more about the card.

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