Explaining Blink credit cards

What are blink credit cards?

Blink credit cards are a form of credit card developed by JPMorganChase (Chase) and released for public use in mid-2005. Chase spent a few years developing and fine tuning the technology used for their Blink credit cards.

A Blink credit card is a Visa or Mastercard issued by Chase that contains a small RFID tag within the card. This RFID wireless transmits information to an RFID receiver attached to various credit/debit card readers at a wide range of merchants.

The Blink credit card is any Chase card that has the Blink logo and technology embedded in it. Chase has a range of cards including Chase Freedom that have Blink technology.

The Blink technology securely transmits the card information to the reader allowing the reader to determine if the card is approved. Once approved the transaction goes through and the cardholder is charged the amount due.

How do you use a Blink credit card?

Cardholders of the Chase Blink credit cards can use their cards at thousands of merchants where the Blink logo is found.

Once all the merchandise is scanned and a total is given, Blink cardholders simply hold or tap their Blink card up to the logo on the card reader. In a second lights on the reader will blink and a tone can be heard. This indicates that the card has been accepted and the card can be removed. Within a few seconds the transaction will be approved.

The range according to Chase is around 1 inch. Any Blink cards held further then one inch away will not register a payment. Some websites have talked about certain RFID readers having a longer range, with some users reporting 1-4 inches. Some readers require the card be tapped on the surface of the reader before the transaction will go through. This may be a way to prevent accidental payment through a Blink card.

The card is held face up and right side up hovering over or on the card reader. This eliminates the need to swipe the card or hand the card to a cashier.

Is the Blink credit card secure?

Chase has stated that like all of it's credit cards, the cardholder is not liable for any unauthorized transactions with the Blink card. However concern has been raised over RFID technology because it is possible for a RFID reader to be compromised. It is also possible that an RFID reader could be held close to a person carrying a Blink credit card and phish the information off the card.

It appears that the technology is relatively secure and that the information on the card is heavily encrypted. According to Chase, the Blink RFID tag within the card will not activate or transmit any information unless it is held close enough to an official Blink card reader terminal.

Should you get a Chase Blink card?

The Blink technology has been out for a few years now and with it, improvements and a larger number of places to 'blink' your purchases. Many Chase cardmembers have or will receive Chase Blink cards when they are due up for a new card.

Overall the main purpose of the Blink card is to speed up transactions. Also one can't overlook Chase's move to create yet another novel concept in credit cards. Some people will enjoy using Blink credit cards simply because of the novelty of it. You may save a few seconds in the store, get to play with a novelty technology, and reduce the amount of times you have to hand your credit card over to another person.