22 June 2012, London, UK - For the first time this
year, Isle of
Wight Festival goers will have the opportunity to
experience the benefits of automatically topping up their
contactless prepaid MasterCard®PayPass™
wristbands and also using them to access the event. As part
of a trial, 13,000 ticket holders will receive
PayPass wristbands before they come to the event,
making entry to the site and grabbing a bite to eat even
easier.
With the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
technology, data is transferred safely and securely from
the tag attached to the wristband to the contactless
readers installed in many locations around the festival.
For purchases of £20 or less, all users have to do is
simply tap their PayPass wristband on the reader,
removing the need to dip a card, enter a PIN or provide a
signature.
Ticket holders can also experience the added convenience of
auto top-up this year, a function that loads between £10
and £50 up to three times per day, when a wristband balance
drops below £20. The maximum total load allowed on any
wristband throughout the festival is £500, with any unspent
funds getting refunded back to customers at the end of the
event.
When running low on funds, or following an auto top-up,
users will also receive a handy automatic text message
which includes their current wristband balance to help
track their spending. Special mobile balance readers will
also be available at designated customer service points,
allowing wristband holders to simply tap to see their
current balance.
Marion King, President of MasterCard UK & Ireland, said:
"Building on the success of the last two years, MasterCard
is continuing to enhance the festival experience for music
fans, by using our innovation to enable simple, safe and
smart payments. This year's trial is the latest milestone
in the journey towards a truly 'cashless' environment, as
festival goers look to spend less time queuing and more
time enjoying their favourite bands."
The popularity and reach of PayPass continues to
grow rapidly, with cards and devices issued for use at more
than 557,000 merchant locations in 41 countries worldwide.
- Ends -
MasterCard Notes To Editors
For further information, please contact:
Doyel Maitra, Communications, MasterCard UK &
Ireland
Tel: +44 (0)7912 579087, doyel_maitra@mastercard.com,
MasterCard UK Press Office
Tel: +44 (0)844 875 1522, mastercardpressoffice@webershandwick.com
About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard (NYSE:
MA), www.mastercard.com, is a
global payments and technology company. It operates the
world's fastest payments processing network, connecting
consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments
and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories.
MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce
activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a
business and managing finances - easier, more secure and
more efficient for everyone.@MasterCardNews,
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