Discover Joins Google Wallet System

The only mobile wallet program currently available to the general public across the country recently added another major credit card company to its platform, allowing for more access to the new payment system.

Discover is the latest major credit card company in the U.S. to allow customers to use its branded accounts to make purchases through the burgeoning Google Wallet payment platform, the company recently announced. Now, any Discover cardholder who wants to use the system – which works in conjunction with smartphones equipped with near-field communications technology – will be able to add the account to the program through the lender’s website.

“Our cardholders regularly use their Discover card to make purchases and payments online, in-store and now more frequently through their mobile devices,” said Sanjay Gosalia, director of mobile at Discover. “By offering the ability to join Google Wallet through our Account Center, Discover is providing our cardmembers with even greater flexibility and convenience when it comes to paying for their purchases.”

Borrowers who sign up to use their Discover cards through this service will continue receiving the same benefits they’re used to on their card – including the ability to rack up cash back rewards – but will have the added bonus of being able to complete transactions more quickly, the report said. That includes transactions both in the real world, at participating merchants, and online.

Consumers will also have the option of adding their Discover card to their Wallet account via the program’s application, or through their Google account online, the report said.

Discover is just one major name in the credit card industry that is now available with Google Wallet, the Web giant said. In addition, all Visa-, MasterCard-, and American Express-branded cards can be used with the program. Wallet is accepted at a number of major national chains; everything from pharmacies and gas stations to electronics retailers and clothing stores.

Many consumers may be wary of mobile wallet technology because they are unfamiliar with it, but experts note that in general, the security on these payment platforms is typically far more secure than that of traditional credit card use. It’s believed that any fears over account safety will be smoothed over time, and widespread adoption of these systems will take place by 2016 or so.

Image: Philip Taylor PT, via Flickr