7 Creative Combo Cards
Published February 7, 2014 4:36 PM
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Updated October 20, 2016 10:41 AM
1 Min Read
Payment cards can sometimes do more than just make purchases. Some pack in odd functions; others are high-tech takes on the aging magnetic-stripe card. (Image: ShutterStock )
Coin
Michael Nagle/Bloomberg
PayPal Instant Credit
PayPal's digital wallet and card have an odd twist they let users change the funding source even after a purchase has been made. This is accomplished through Bill Me Later , PayPal's instant credit operation, which provides a five-day float for purchases made in stores. (Image: Bloomberg News)
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
Walgreens Balance Financial
Walgreens' Balance Financial card integrates so completely with the store's loyalty program that it allows shoppers to leave the loyalty card at home. Shoppers can access the prepaid account and the loyalty account with the same swipe. (Image: Bloomberg News)
Dynamics ePlate
Dynamics' ePlate card, issued by UMB, allows users to choose their rewards on a purchase-by-purchase basis by pressing a button on the card. An earlier version, which Citigroup tested for just over two years, allowed consumers to choose whether to use credit or reward points for each purchase.
Fifth Third's Duo Card
Fifth Third's hybrid debit/credit card, introduced in 2011, lets consumers choose at the point of sale whether to pay with debit or credit. It's considered a rare success in hybrid cards; last year, Fifth Third said Duo accounted for 25% of its new monthly credit card accounts.
Bitcoin Trojan Horse
Most merchants do not accept Bitcoin, but they accept gift cards. This is becoming a loophole for Bitcoin devotees, who can use the digital currency to purchase digital gift cards through Gyft and then use the gift cards to shop at major retailers like Burger King, Lowes, American Eagle and Nike. (Image: ShutterStock )
Ticket to Ride
Cards such as the Hong Kong's Octopus and Chicago's Ventra can be used both for regular purchases and for transit fare. (Image: ShutterStock )
