Public transport users in the Philippines get NFC top-up for contactless fare payment cards
beep™ cardholders can now enjoy real-time loading of their stored value cards straight from their mobile app. In another first-in-the-market offering, beep™ card operator AF Payments Inc. is harnessing near-field communication (NFC) technology present in mobile phones to enable users to conveniently top up their card in just a few taps. Philippines NFC
To use this feature, cardholders must download the latest version of the beep™ card app on their NFC-enabled smartphone. In the main menu, tap Buy beep™ Load and select the card to be loaded or input the details of an unregistered card. Enter the amount or choose from the given denominations. Complete the payment details and wait for validation. Finally, receive the load by placing the card against the back of the phone, and do not remove until the confirmation pops up on the screen.
The app currently accepts payments via Mastercard, Visa, JCB credit and debit cards, GCash, Paymaya, QR.PH and carries a minimal processing fee.
“Our innovations are always aligned with what’s convenient for beep™ card customers. We’re adding a contactless way to reload that’s actually received in real-time in order to help our cardholders save time in queuing and to limit their exposure to COVID-19 when outside. With more and more transport and retail partners joining the beep™ ecosystem, we strongly encourage Filipino consumers and businesses alike to maximize the benefits of our contactless payment solution,” said Sharon Fong, Chief Commercial Officer of AF Payments Inc.
Apart from real-time reloading, cardholders can use the mobile app to check their balance and monitor their transactions. They can also earn reward points for every spend transaction, which can be redeemed as beep™ load or QR tickets for select routes.
beep™ cards are available at any LRT or MRT station, EDSA bus stops, select P2P terminals, jeepney terminals, and Ministop branches in Metro Manila. For their safety, customers are advised to only buy from legitimate and authorized resellers.
In the coming months, AF Payments Inc will be rolling out more features on the beep app to provide passengers with relevant information and services to make daily commutes a hassle-free experience. Philippines NFC
