Technology has allowed credit cards to develop quite a lot in recent years. From the Chip and PIN revolution to the ability to manage card accounts online, new capabilities have helped to make payment and transaction processes much more efficient than they used to be.

Something else that has helped contribute to this change is the growing trend for contactless payments. Increasingly when you apply for a new credit card, you will find that the card you are applying for will come with this capability. One common credit card question is what contactless payments are and how they actually work.

Essentially, they are what they sound like: the ability to make payments for purchases in shops without the need to hand over your card every single time. Contactless payment cards come equipped with a special chip, which is compatible with a certain type of payment machine that is becoming increasingly ubiquitous in retailers.

All you need to do to pay is hold the chip over the machine and your payment should be processed. The fact your card never leaves your hand helps to keep things secure and you’ll also be asked to enter your PIN occasionally for security reasons, helping your card payments stay safe.

Currently, it’s only possible to make small payments using contactless payment technology (usually under £15), but the idea is becoming more popular and it is developing all the time. Plus, many new credit cards come with the technology as standard so there is certainly good reason to consider applying for a card that comes with it.

Of course, deciding whether or not to choose a contactless payment card is probably not your main concern when choosing which credit card to apply for, but it is a useful facility and so is something worth considering the next time you’re looking at credit cards.

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Tags: new credit cards