Wearable payments have emerged as an innovative extension of contactless payment technology, enabling consumers to make purchases quickly and conveniently without reaching for a wallet or smartphone. While adoption has been gradual, major sporting events have become ideal environments for showcasing wearable payment experiences that combine speed, convenience, and exclusive customer benefits.
American Express demonstrated this approach at the U.S. Open with the launch of the Amex Band, a payment-enabled wristband designed for eligible cardholders. Beyond facilitating contactless payments, the wearable also unlocked exclusive event experiences, illustrating how integrated rewards and access privileges can increase consumer engagement with emerging payment technologies.
Game—set—match. Some attendees at next week’s U.S. Open tennis tournament in Flushing Meadows, Queens, will have a chance to try a wearable device to pay for concession stand purchases. As the following Business Wire story describes, American Express is offering a payment-enabled wristband to its cardholders at the 2 week-long event.
Entering the 25th year of its partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), American Express announced today a range of onsite benefits and experiences for Card Members and fans attending the 2018 US Open Tennis Championships at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY.
To enhance the overall end-to-end fan experience, American Express will launch new services such as the Amex Band, a contactless payment wristband that allows eligible Card Members to pay for purchases and unlock unique benefits with a tap of the band. In addition, American Express is creating an interactive tennis experience called Super Rally and will also open a Centurion Suite at the new Louis Armstrong Stadium.
This year, the USTA has introduced more contactless payment options throughout the US Open experience. As the Official Payments Partner, American Express is launching the Amex Band, a contactless payment option for eligible Card Members, which lets Card Members pay for purchases and unlock experiences with the tap of their wrist.
Card Members can pick up and activate their Amex Band (one eligible American Express Card per band) at a number of locations at the US Open including the US Open American Express Fan Experience, South Plaza and American Express Radio Satellite Booths. Once activated, with a simple tap, Card Members can use the Amex Band to:
Visa has offered wearable devices for users at the Olympics and now American Express is volleying for an emerging payments method for U.S. Open tennis. Added features will be a loyalty tie-in that grants Amex card members access to certain on-site clubs and lounges, as well as other promotional items. As mobile payments providers have found, customer usage rises when there are integrated features that go beyond just making a payment. Payments fans will be watching the wearables performance as much as the on-court action.
Wearable payments are most compelling when they deliver more than transaction convenience. By combining contactless payments with loyalty benefits and exclusive event access, American Express created a richer customer experience that extended beyond the point of sale. As payment technologies continue to evolve, wearables that integrate payments, rewards, and personalized experiences may play a growing role in live entertainment, sports venues, and other high-traffic environments.
Overview by Raymond Pucci, Director Merchant Services at Mercator Advisory Group