Innovations that lead the world of simple payments
Since introducing the first ever credit card in the UK in 1966, we've worked hard to remain at the cutting edge of payment solutions. With us, customers continue to find making payments a smoother, safer, easier and even more convenient experience.
With more than 52,000 terminals in stores across the UK, contactless payments are fast becoming the way people prefer to pay for goods under £15.
By harnessing the power of technology, we're discovering new and exciting ways to simplify payments. Our vision is that the future of payments for consumers and retailers lies in three main areas: at point of sale, online and on mobile phones.
“In many ways we could see plastic cards as the shortest lived payment mechanism in mankind's history.”
Valerie Soranno Keating, CEO of Barclaycard
Get easy rewards with Barclaycard Freedom
Greater rewards are now within easy reach of millions of customers and thousands of retailers across the UK.
Simpler, quicker contactless payments
With contactless payments, customers make purchases of £15 or less in under a second. They are increasing at a phenomenal rate, with millions of customers and more than 20,000 retailers* joining the revolution.
The mobile way to pay
We've partnered with Orange to offer our customers a convenient way to pay for products or services, using just their mobile phone.
Reaching a new audience with our free iPhone® game
The Waterslide Extreme game was developed as a fun and engaging way to spread the word about contactless payments. Its popularity around the world has made it a resounding success.
Breaking ground every step of the way
Did you know we were first to:
- Issue credit cards in the UK in 1966
- Use ATM machines in 1967
- Allow women to apply for credit in their own name back in the 60s
- Introduce the card loyalty scheme in 1986 and still leading the way in rewards
- Use online payments in 1998
