Barclaycard Takes bPay To The Public

Contactless shopping is set to hit even more UK shops thanks to the launch of a range of new bPay devices from Barclaycard.

The bank has announced that three new devices – a wristband, fob and sticker, will go on sale to the public from this Wednesday, opening up contactless payments at over 300,000 locations across the UK.

This means that anyone with a registered Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card, and not just Barclaycard and Barclays customers, can use the bPay digital wallet service to pay for transactions up to the value of £20, rising to £30 when the contactless payment limit is increased in September.

Tap and go

Available from July 1 via the Barclays website, prices are £14.99 for the bPay sticker, £19.99 for the bPay fob and £24.99 for the bPay band.

Users can top up funds to their wallet using the mobile app, online through a brand new portal, or set their account to top-up automatically when their balance falls below a pre-set level.

The new online portal and multi-platform app will allow bPay users to manage their device and account wherever they are, showing their transactions in real-time, as well as allowing the transfer of funds to their digital wallet on the go.

Barclaycard says that the new devices are ideal for commuters – making using public transport quicker; for shoppers – making paying with your hands full easier; for sports and fitness fans – allowing  them to leave their cards and cash at home; and for parents – giving the kids their own way of paying on family days out.

All change

“We’re in the midst of a sweeping change in the way we pay, with cash-dominated transactions being replaced by ‘touch and go’ contactless technology that has made it easier, safer and faster to make low-value payments,” said Mike Saunders, managing director, digital consumer payments at Barclaycard.

“The launch of our bPay band last year was an evolutionary step for the business, with highly positive customer feedback. People told us they are looking for new ways to pay that offer greater flexibility and choice, and fit better with different lifestyles. So we’re building on this success with our expanded bPay proposition, and have produced a range of wearable products that you can use to pay for everything in your day – from travelling to work and grabbing a coffee, to buying your lunch or picking up groceries from the supermarket.

“We’re leading the innovation that will enable everyone to pay in a convenient, flexible, and secure way.”

Barclaycard first launched the bPay band at the Pride in London festival and Barclaycard presents British Summer Time in Hyde Park concerts last Summer. The bands have also enjoyed a surge in popularity following Barclaycard’s tie-up with Transport for London to allow contactless payment for journeys made on the capital’s transport network.

Are you a mobile payments aficionado? Take our quiz!