Nothing kills a good time faster than a long line.
Whether it’s at the front gate, the merch table, or the bar, every minute a guest spends waiting is a minute they aren't enjoying your event—and a potential sale lost.
That’s where tap-to-pay comes in.
You’ve probably seen it everywhere, even if you haven’t realized it: people tapping their phones or credit cards at the grocery store, coffee shop, or vending machine. This technology is no longer a futuristic vision; it’s a modern expectation. Your guests are already using it in their daily lives, and they increasingly expect to use it at your event.
We’ve been hearing a lot of questions about tap-to-pay from curious event organizers recently, so we wanted to share our best tips for using these payments at your event. Plus, we’ll answer all your questions: How does tap actually work? Is it secure? And most importantly, is it worth implementing for my event?
We’ve got you covered. This is your complete guide to tap-to-pay and why it’s a non-negotiable for modern event success.
At its simplest, tap-to-pay (or "contactless payment") is a method that allows customers to pay by simply tapping their card, smartphone, or smartwatch on a compatible payment reader. No swiping, no inserting a chip, and (usually) no signature or PIN required.
The Technology Behind the "Tap"
The magic behind this is NFC (Near Field Communication). Think of it as a tiny, secure radio signal. Every contactless-enabled card and smartphone (with a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay) has a small NFC chip inside.
When a guest brings their device or card within a few inches of your NFC-enabled card reader, the two chips instantly and securely talk to each other, exchange encrypted payment info, and approve the transaction—all in about two seconds.
Common Forms of Tap-to-Pay:
Contactless Cards: Most modern credit and debit cards now come with an NFC chip. You can spot them by the "wave" or "wifi-like" symbol on the card itself.
Mobile Wallets: This is the big one. Services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay store a digital, secure version of a credit card on a smartphone.
Wearables: Smartwatches (like the Apple Watch) and other fitness trackers also have NFC chips for payment on the go.
This is the most common question we get. If the information is flying through the air, can't someone steal it?
The short answer is: tap-to-pay is one of the most secure payment methods available, significantly more secure than the old magnetic stripe.
Here’s why:
Tokenization (The "Secret Code"): When a guest uses Apple Pay or Google Pay, their actual 16-digit credit card number is never sent to your POS system. Instead, the mobile wallet creates a unique, one-time code (called a "token") for that single transaction. Even if a hacker somehow intercepted this token, it’s completely useless. It can't be used again, and it can't be traced back to the original card.
Encryption: For contactless cards, the data that is sent is heavily encrypted. It’s incredibly difficult for "skimmers" to intercept and decrypt this data.
Proximity: NFC only works at an extremely close range (about 1-2 inches). This makes "walk-by" electronic pickpocketing (a common fear) virtually impossible. The attendee must intentionally hold their device or card right up to your reader.
Device Security: Mobile wallets add another layer of protection. An attendee can't use their Apple Pay or Google Pay until they first unlock their phone with their Face ID, fingerprint, or passcode.
Compare this to the old swipe method, where a "skimmer" device placed on a reader could easily copy the static, unencrypted data from a card's magnetic stripe. Tap-to-pay is in a different league of security.
This is the "why it matters" for you. It’s not just about new tech; it’s about solving your biggest event-day challenges.
This is the single biggest benefit. A tap-to-pay transaction takes 1-2 seconds. A chip-and-PIN transaction can take 10-15 seconds. Handling cash and making change? Even longer.
Let's do the math. If you can serve 3-4x more people in the same amount of time at your bar or merch booth, you’re not just reducing lines—you’re dramatically increasing your "throughput" and your potential revenue per hour.
It’s a proven psychological fact: frictionless payments lead to more spending. When a guest doesn't have to pull out their wallet and see the cash inside, or think about their PIN, the barrier to purchase is lower.
That "should I get another drink?" or "should I buy that t-shirt?" decision becomes an easy "yes" when all it takes is a quick tap of their phone. Studies show people spend, on average, 15-30% more per transaction when using contactless methods versus cash.
Long lines are stressful. Fumbling for cash is annoying. A smooth, modern, and fast checkout process just feels better. It shows your event is professional and you value your attendees' time. Happier fans stay longer, spend more, and leave glowing reviews.
Tap-to-pay is a "touch-free" transaction. Your staff doesn't have to handle attendee credit cards, and attendees don't have to touch a pin pad (for most transactions). It’s cleaner, safer, and gives peace of mind to both your team and your fans.
Because of tokenization, you’re protected from chargebacks related to counterfeit card fraud. And, of course, the more digital payments you accept, the less cash you have on-site. This significantly reduces the risk of employee theft, miscounting at the end of the night, or the security risk of holding large amounts of cash.
Ready to speed up your lines? It’s easier than you think.
Check Your Hardware: The great news is that most modern payment terminals—like the ones Passage provides and integrates with—are already equipped with NFC and tap-to-pay capabilities. Look for the contactless "wave" symbol on your card readers.
Talk to Your Ticketing Partner (That's Us!): Your payment processor and ticketing partner must have contactless payments enabled on your account. As a Passage client, you can just reach out to our team, and we’ll ensure your setup is ready to go for both online sales and your at-the-door POS.
Train Your Staff & Volunteers: This is key! Before the doors open, make sure your whole team knows how to process a tap-to-pay transaction. Teach them to prompt attendees with: "We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all tap-to-pay cards!"
Shout It from the Rooftops!: Don't keep it a secret! Put up signs at your gate, bar, and merch tables with the Apple Pay, Google Pay, and contactless logos. Announce it in your pre-event "Know Before You Go" emails. When attendees know they can pay with their phone, they’ll head straight for the concession stand.
Tap-to-pay is no longer a "nice-to-have" feature; it's a fundamental part of a successful, modern event. It’s faster, more secure, and proven to increase sales while making your attendees happier.
Stop letting long lines eat into your profits and your event's reputation. It's time to make the tap your event's new superpower.
Ready to speed up your sales? Chat with the Passage team today to get our tap-to-pay enabled POS solutions for your next event.