Chase Credit Cards First to Offer New “Blink” Technology to Cardmembers

Posted On: September 15, 2005

By Lydia H. Verret, CardRatings.com Staff Writer

Chase Bank U.S.A., N.A., a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co., recently issued over 200,000 United Mileage Plus Visa credit cards featuring a contactless technology called “blink” to cardmembers in Colorado, a United Airlines hub location.

To use the United Mileage Plus Visa credit card with “blink”, instead of swiping their credit card as normal, cardmembers simply hold their card near a special point-of-sale terminal during checkout.    The terminal will promptly emit a tone and light up to confirm payment.

Joe Venuti, senior vice president for Chase’s Card Services division states:

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“With blink technology we’re giving our United Mileage Plus card members yet another way to enjoy the power and versatility of this extraordinary card. We’re confident the idea will take flight with our card members, who will enjoy gliding through check out lines while accruing mileage earning benefits.”

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Dennis Cary, senior vice president of marketing for United adds:

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“The United Mileage Plus Visa card’s newly added blink feature enables our customers to make everyday transactions even faster whether on the road or at home.    We are confident that this will be a big hit with our customers and is the latest example of the unmatched benefits that the United Mileage Plus program offers.”

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A major benefit to using credit cards with blink technology is the time saving aspect.    There is a significant reduction in time spent during check-out, especially in the drive-thru environment, as opposed to cash transactions. Another benefit, for consumers, is the convenience of not carrying cash for everyday purchases or being confined by the cash in their purse or wallet.

A benefit of blink transactions for merchants includes greater speed in customer checkout times.    Research has shown that customers who use blink spend more money with each transaction and are more satisfied with their shopping experience.    Credit cards with blink also provide a reliable payment method that is conducive to environments where speed is important.

Chase became the first bank to launch a large scale usage of credit cards with blink in Atlanta and Denver in May of 2005.    There are now more than 1.5 million Chase cardmembers using cards with blink in places where convenience and speed are an important issue to consumers, including 7-Eleven stores, Arby’s, CVS, Edwards Theatres, RaceTrac, Regal Cinema, United Artist Theatres and Walgreen’s.    Chase plans to introduce blink to other markets and hopes to have thousands of merchants using blink technology across the country by the end of 2005.

According to David Chamberlin, FVP, External Communications of Chase Card Services:

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“Card members have been excited about Chase credit cards with “blink,” the first major innovation to credit cards since the debut of the magnetic strip 30 years ago. Consumers see the speed and convenience benefits right away and they continue to move up the adoption curve as they understand its value. We’ve been pleased with the warm recpetion consumers have given Chase credit cards with “blink.”

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For more information about the United Mileage Plus Visa card, please the Card Reports section of our website.

For additional information about blink technology, please visit chaseblink.com.

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