The vast majority of drivers enjoy using their smartphones to complete transatctions at the pump.
Recent data released by the Carrefour fuel station revealed its gas station mobile payments are highly popular. In fact, the company’s report said that 9 out of every 10 drivers approved of this smartphone based service.
Ninety percent of Spanish customers who had used the mobile service called it “very satisfying.”
Since the summer when the gas station mobile payments option became available at Carrefour in Spain, there have been over 10,000 people who have tried it. Among them, nine out of every ten said that the experience was “very satisfying.”
There are currently 125 Carrefour stations throughout the country and that offer the Pass card holder mobile payment option. This started in June 2016 by way of the Mi Carrefour app. In this way, customers could fuel up and could then get back into their vehicles to pay.
The gas station mobile payments service used geolocation to determine the exact position of the driver.
That allowed the app to recognize the fuel station where the customer was located. The mobile app then prompts the driver to select the supplier, product and amount before starting to pump the gas. Once the car has been fueled up, the customer can confirm the details and simply drive away.
Moreover, the app also occasionally provides discount coupons at the time of payment. This not only gave drivers the chance to save money on their next visit, but it encouraged them to come back and use the mobile payments option again.
According to a statement from the retail chain of gas stations, “The new system has already changed the habits of its users.” It went on to add that “More than 10,000 customers have already tried this option to pay for their fuel stops and nine out of 10 have highlighted this as much more comfortable and safe. Along with pricing and discounts, [these are] the main advantages of Carrefour service stations.”
There are a few companies, such as Starbucks, that have very successfully implemented mobile payments as a transaction option. Carrefour has illustrated the way in which it may be done at fuel stations moving forward.
Drivers will soon be able to complete secure purchase transactions from within their vehicles.
A recent announcement has revealed that OnStar will soon allow drivers to make MasterPass mobile payments in GM vehicles. OnStar is a General Motors subsidiary and offers a subscription-based in-car communication service.
The mobile payments service was created in collaboration with IBM and will be available in several 2017 GM vehicles.
The service let drivers use their MasterPass mobile payments accounts to buy products and services. The transaction will run via OnStar and will be embedded within “many GM vehicles” next year.
A statement from MasterCard said: “By embedding MasterPass within OnStar Go, MasterCard will enable drivers and passengers to safely make secure and seamless payments for goods and services using credit or debit cards stored within their MasterPass wallet.”
This MasterPass mobile payments service will make it possible for merchants to provide a more connected experience.
In combination with IBM Watson, the OnStar mobile wallet service will develop new “connected driving experiences.” For instance, if the driver decides to buy a take-out breakfast from one of the restaurants on the OnStar Go merchant marketplace, new options would become available. That restaurant could, for example, ask the driver about ordering certain menu items based on purchases previously made there.
Consumers can make their orders ahead of time and checkout through the MasterPass service within their vehicles. They can then drive to the store or restaurant location to pick up the order. Since the transaction has already been handled through OnStar, that step needn’t be taken in-store. This helps to reduce the amount of time needed in order to make a purchase, providing a smoother experience.
Over time, as the driver continues to use MasterPass mobile payments, the merchants from whom the consumer makes purchases will be able to identify that individual’s shopping trends. This will make it possible for merchants to craft offers that are personalized to the unique preferences of each shopper. With customized and relevant marketing, consumers may find the offers they receive to be more appealing and may act on them on a more regular basis.
