Smart System Technologies (SST) is deploying an RFID payment system across two National Football League stadiums—in Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia.

RFID readers are linked to point-of-sale terminals. To make purchases, consumers can use a personal PowerPay key fob fitted with an RFID tag. By putting the tag, which carries a unique number and no personal data, within an inch and a half of the reader the consumer can make the purchase.

The system creates a way to tie cashless payments into targeted marketing promotions. So far, promotional offers have allowed fans to enter sweepstakes and earn points for dollars spent with PowerPay that could be redeemed for merchandise and rewards.

SST is not the only company using RFID to enable consumer purchases. Last year, Canadian start-up Dexit launched a similar electronic payment service in Toronto, and several RFID-based payment services already exist in the U.S., including ExxonMobil’s popular Speedpass, used by customers at fuel pumps, and similar offerings by Philips 66 and Citgo. American Express has been testing its ExpressPay RFID payment product with merchants in the Phoenix area.

During trials , the average PowerPay transaction was more than twice as fast as cash and almost six times faster than a credit or debit card. In addition, consumers typically spent twice as much money using the PowerPay key fob as they did with credit cards or cash, says SST.

From RFID Journal.