What Are Different Types of Cashless Payment Solutions for Events

Event cashless payment options are no longer an extravagance. They are necessary. Whether planning intimate parties or large-scale festivals, event planners are beginning to see the significance of eschewing cash.

Jun 23, 2025 - 15:16
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What Are Different Types of Cashless Payment Solutions for Events

Event cashless payment options are no longer an extravagance. They are necessary. Whether planning intimate parties or large-scale festivals, event planners are beginning to see the significance of eschewing cash.

At events, handling cash may cause delays, huge lineups, and even mistakes. Solutions for cashless payments may help with that. They are more dependable, cleaner, and faster. However, there are several types of cashless systems. There are several Cashless payment solutions for events available, each with unique advantages. Let's examine the most prevalent kinds and how they function in actual event situations.

1. RFID wristbands

Particularly for big music festivals, sporting events, or multi-day conferences, these wristbands are becoming more popular. Radio-Frequency Identification is what RFID stands for. Using this technology, visitors wear a bracelet with a tiny chip inside.

They may pay for meals and beverages and even get admission to certain locations by tapping the wristband. It is contactless and quick. Visitors are not required to bring their phones or wallets. Credits, access rights, and even personal information, if necessary, are all kept in the wristband.

RFID wristbands are popular with event planners since they cut down on wait times. This contactless payment system for an event also provides improved entry logs and monitoring of expenditure patterns. That will help you make wiser choices later on.

For instance, the organizers of a Goan summer music festival provided each attendee with an RFID bracelet that was connected to their online account. Before the event, guests filled their wristbands with cash and used them to purchase food and beverages. They might ask for a reimbursement for any unused credits after the event.

 

2. Payments Using QR Codes

QR codes are another popular cashless payment option for events. Quick Response is what QR stands for. People may use a special app or the camera on their phone to scan this square barcode.

This is how it operates: Vendors show a QR code at their booths, pubs, or ticket counters. The visitor launches a payment app, such as PhonePe, Paytm, or Google Pay, scans the code, and makes a quick payment. No need to swipe cards or pay with cash.

Setting up this system is simple. Vendors just need to print the code and keep it visible; they don't require any sophisticated equipment. It's ideal for small expos or mid-sized events where attendees are expected to bring their own devices.

For instance, every food truck at a Bengaluru local food fair had a QR code displayed on its counter. In a matter of seconds, guests paid by scanning the code. No cash handling, no lineups, and no disputes over change.

 

3. Wallets on the go

These days, a lot of people utilize mobile wallets like Paytm, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. They are already on the phones of many individuals. Therefore, letting visitors use them during events makes sense.

These wallets use QR codes or Near Field Communication (NFC). To pay, visitors can scan a code or touch their phone. It's quick and tidy. When friends go to an event together, it's helpful that certain wallets even let you share payments.

You may take many wallet payments as an event planner using a single, integrated system. You may also get vital information from this, such as the time customers spend the most and the things they purchase.

For instance, participants at a college festival in Mumbai were able to pay using any mobile money. This adaptation was quite popular. Wallet payments were accepted even at modest kiosks, which increased revenues for many businesses.

 

4. Event Cards that are pre-paid

Another effective cashless payment solution for events for an event is prepaid cards. Guests are given these actual cards upon arrival. The card is loaded with money, which patrons utilize all across the arena.

They are like gift cards. At drink booths, retail counters, and food stands, you swipe or tap them. These cards come in particularly handy when people don't have cellphones or don't want to pay with them.

While some cards may be topped up more than once, others are designed to be used just once. Control is the primary advantage. Usage may be controlled and restricted by event planners. They can even link the card to deals or discounts.

For instance, each visitor to a weekend event in Delhi with a theme was given a prepaid card. For those who topped up with ₹500 or more, an extra ₹50 was added. The convenience of not having to handle cash and the added advantage were well received.

 

5. Wearables with NFC

This is similar to an improved RFID bracelet. Near Field Communication is referred to as NFC. When two devices are near one another, it enables communication between them.

Therefore, events may include NFC badges, lanyards, or even rings instead of only wristbands. They are both used to make fast, contactless payments. However, NFC technology is a little more potent. More data can be stored, and more sophisticated features like real-time push notifications and loyalty monitoring are made possible.

For instance, VIP guests at a business technology event in Hyderabad received NFC credentials. In addition to being useful for payment, these badges made networking simple. Digital contact cards might be exchanged by guests tapping badges.

 

6. Cashless Features in Mobile Apps

Nowadays, a lot of major events have their smartphone applications. Maps, timetables, alerts, and yes, payment choices are all provided by these applications. To utilize it inside the venue, you may attach a payment method or preload funds.

This is a complete cashless method of payment. It manages transactions, refunds, tickets, and even tailored suggestions. Of course, building it takes additional time and money.

It can make a lot of sense to develop a bespoke app if you hold regular events.

For instance, Pune hosted a Comic Con-style event with its app. Through the app, visitors may purchase workshop tickets, meal coupons, and goods. Reminders and promotional offers were also issued.

 

7. Rare but Increasing Biometric Payments

Although currently rather uncommon, this might grow increasingly widespread. Biometric payments are authorized via facial or fingerprint identification. No wristband, card, or phone is required. Only your finger or face.

Although it may seem futuristic, this has been done at various major events, particularly for upscale hospitality rooms or high-security VIP zones.

Strong security is required for this kind of cashless payment solution for events. Additionally, it works better at events when attendees sign up in advance and consent to sharing their biometric information. For instance, during a special launch party held by a premium business in Singapore, a few attendees paid for limited-edition products using their fingerprints. It felt private and silky.

 

Concluding

You should consider the following when selecting a contactless payment system for an event:

The size of your audience

Audience type (tech-savvy or not)

The event's duration

Setup time and budget

Dependability of the internet in your location

Mobile wallets or RFID wristbands would be ideal for a young music festival. Mobile applications and NFC badges may be more useful during a business meeting. Prepaid cards or QR codes might be ideal for tiny local events.

All of these cashless payment options for events make life simpler, regardless of which you choose. They increase visitor happiness, save time, and lighten the workload for employees. They also provide you with clear facts. You may give them deals and observe what individuals are purchasing and when they are spending the most.

It goes beyond just following trends. Being clever, quick, and welcoming to guests is the goal of becoming cashless.

Therefore, spend some time determining which cashless payment options would best serve your objectives the next time you organize an event. The outcomes will speak for themselves, even if they may need some initial work.