You could be using a debit card like an Oyster card, thanks to a decision from Barclays.
Barclays is to introduce inbuilt contactless technology for the majority of its debit cards.
According to the bank, the chips will then be fitted as standard. The payments will be limited to £10 or less at participating retailers, however.
Contactless payments work as a quicker and easier alternative to chip and PIN. All the customer has to do to pay for an item is wave their card over a special reader - meaning that the payment method effectively functions as a cash alternative.
Similar pay-as-you-go systems have already been introduced on the London transport network in the form of the Oyster card. Should Barclays' contactless expansion prove successful, it is likely that other banks will follow suit.
Mark Parsons, managing director of current accounts for Barclays, said: "Barclays has long been a pioneer in banking. We were the first to launch the debit card in 1987 and now we are the first to give our customers the latest incarnation - the contactless debit card.
"This gives people a new way to pay for things that is quick, secure and convenient and we are confident that it is going to be really popular with customers."
Participating retailers which accept contactless cards include Pret A Manger, EAT and Books etc.
