News

Sep
01
2016

Now Hiring Seasonal Positions in North Mankato

Need extra cash for the Holidays?

 
 
Now hiring Seasonal Positions at Card Fulfillment Services - North Mankato
  • Production Equipment Operators
  • Production Assistants
  • Shipping Clerks

 

Benefits of Working at Card Fulfillment Services 
  • Fun & friendly atmosphere
  • End of Season pay
  • 2nd & 3rd shift differential
  • Various shifts available
  • Starting pay varies on position, $10.50 - $14.50

 

You're Invited to an Open Interview Event

WHERE:
Taylor Center
1730 James Drive (Lower Level) 
North Mankato, MN 56003

WHEN:
Thursday, October 20th -- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Thursday, October 20th -- 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday, October 21st -- 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

*Please bring a RESUME to the event.

 

We look forward to meeting you!

Travel Tags, Inc. - Human Resources Department
P: 651-450-1201
hr@traveltags.com 

TAGS:  

Sep
22
2016

90% of Americans Now Use EMV “Chip and Pin” When Buying At The Store

The pace of chip card adoption is picking up.

The United States may have taken its time to introduce “chip and PIN” credit and debit cards but the technology has had a positive effect for banks, retailers and consumers.

With the first anniversary of the mandatory switch to EMV-compliant transactions approaching, data published by MasterCard said that nine out of 10 people now use embedded microchip cards on a regular basis. According to a recent survey of 1,000 American consumers conducted by Braun Research on behalf of MasterCard, there has been a 38% year-on-year increase in the use of chip-enhanced payment cards in the last 12 months. Safety and security cited as significant factors for adoption.

Around 88% of all MasterCard-issued consumer credit cards in the United States now have the embedded chip—a 105% increase since the liability shift came into effect on October 1, 2015. The number of merchants accepting EMV cards has steadily risen, with MasterCard’s network currently registering 2 million chip-active merchants or 33% of all U.S. retailers.

Out of these two million active merchants, 1.3 million are regional or local merchant locations—an increase of 159%, MasterCard said.

“As more U.S. cardholders use their MasterCard chip cards, they are learning the benefits of increased safety and security,” said MasterCard’s senior vice president of product delivery Chiro Aikat, in a press release. “It’s no small undertaking to change the way people pay for things. The only reason to start this big a task is to make people’s lives better. Chips have the potential to do just that.”

 

Why Chip Cards Are Significant For Retailers

The U.S. may have arrived late at the EMV party, but there has been a significant drop in the level of fraud associated with counterfeit cards. At least with physical cards (digital EMV is another story).

Installed terminals at the point of sale talk to the embedded chip in a card that creates a unique code for all purchases. Before the liability switch on October 1, 2015, banks were liable for fraudulent transactions. After October 1 last year, liability switched from banks to merchants that had not yet adopted EMV payments.

See also: How MasterCard Built Digital Enablement And Changed Mobile Payments

In less than a year, the level of fraud has decreased by 54% at U.S. retailers that are EMV-compliant, said MasterCard. Citing year-on-year trends from April 2015 to April 2016, MasterCard’s data said that the costs of counterfeit fraud had increased by 77% among large American retailers that have not made the switch to EMV.

“We need chip cards in wallets and chip terminals at checkout to continue to drive card fraud out of the U.S. This country is one of the most complex markets in the world so we know things won’t change overnight,” said MasterCard’s president of North America Craig Vosburg. “However, we’re encouraged by the significant progress over the last 11 months. With every additional chip transaction we move closer and closer to our collective goal—moving fraud out of the system.”

 

Source: arc from Applause -- Part of the "The Crossroads of Ecommerce" Series, written by David Bolton

MEDIA CONTACT:
KATY LASEE | MARKETING DEPT.
651 554 8533
KRLasee@traveltags.com 

TAGS:   EMV , Technology Advances

Sep
23
2016

21,000 Olive Garden Pasta Passes Sold Out in Less Than One Second

That's a lot of fettuccine alfredo!

Less than one second after making their triumphant return to the marketplace, all 21,000 of Olive Garden’s Never-Ending Pasta Passes were snapped up by thousands of people who are apparently unfamiliar with the phrase “too much of a good thing.” To put it in perspective, that’s enough Alfredo-slurping, breadstick-wielding Pasta Pass holders to fill Madison Square Garden.

Pasta Pass holders will be able to gorge themselves on seven weeks’ worth of unlimited pasta, soup or salad, breadsticks, and soda, as often as they want — or are physically capable of? — between October 3 through November 20.

Last year, Olive Garden offered 2,000 passes, all of which were claimed in less than a minute. This year, the chain opted to sell 21,000 in honor of its 21st anniversary — and seemingly could have sold many more.

Sales went live on Thursday at 2 p.m. EST. According to a spokesperson, the first 21,000 people to click “purchase” were able to claim their Pasta Passes: “Everyone else received the sold out message, which for them occurred in less than one second/immediately.”

There are still a handful of passes left — though those who want one will have to duke it out on eBay, where 21 are currently being auctioned to benefit Feeding America. Fair warning: Prices are already well past the original $100, with some bidding as high as $810.

Now the question remains: Will any of this year’s Pasta Pass holders be able to eat more chicken Alfredo than OG superfan Alan Martin, who in 2014 consumed some $1,840 worth of Olive Garden pasta in just seven weeks?

Source: Eater.com, by Virginia Chamlee - September 16, 2016

 

A Team Effort

The success of the Olive Garden Never-Ending Pasta Pass wouldn't be possible without the collaboration of several vendors who work regularly with Darden Brands. Travel Tags, Inc. had the pleasure of partnering with Darden Brands (Olive Garden) for another year on the card production and fulfillment of the Never-Ending Pasta Pass. We're honored to be part of an impressive group of vendors who can implement such a successful marketing campaign as the Never-Ending Pasta Pass, year after year!

 

MEDIA CONTACT:
KATIE SINSKY | MARKETING DEPT.
651 554 8533
KRLasee@traveltags.com 

TAGS:   card fulfillment, card manufacturing, Gift Card Services, Loyalty, Rewards and Membership, trends