Club card v new technology

Andyt21 replied on 10/11/2018 09:11

Andyt21

Posted on 10/11/2018 09:11

I'm sure like me you find it a challenge to keep up with new technology and there is no doubt we now have more information at our fingertips than we could have imagined a few years ago. It des have a negative side but in general it is a positive influence on our lives.

This year I have started using an app on my phone which means my wallet is much slimmer and not because it is expensive. I have got rid of a host of loyalty cards including my club membership card. The app scans the bar code or takes a picture and stores it in an easy to access file and you can present this when buying in store.

But not on the M6 toll. I have only just found out about the discount so confidently arrived at the toll booth and showed my card only to be told she needed the actual card to apply the discount. No card, no discount. The offer is being withdrawn at the end of the year but on the same day The card was nearly refused again

We arrIved at the site we were heading for and the warden very politely pointed out that this could be a photo of someone else's although I have used on other sites without problem.

So the issue here is similar. I could have taken a photo of a friends card in order to obtain the benefit. The answer however is not to go back to carrying a wallet full of cards but to have, and be prepared to show, evidence you are the person on the card. I still carry photo ID my driving license and happy to show this.

And before you argue that it doesn't take up much space just have a look at all the cards you own. Also consider the other options. I might have just borrowed the card from my friend /neighbour for the day as I knew I was going on the M6 toll. The card has no proof or link to me. I could use the automatic barrier and press the button for assistance (see terms and conditions) how does a physical card mKe a difference here? My site booking is linked to the vehicle I arrive in but the card doesn't prove my identity.

So a very simple plea either make the card tech friendly. This doesn't have to be at the same level as my credit card / contactless payment but can prove I am the member. Or simply ask for proof of identity e.g. Credit card payment or driving license. Please don't force me to dig the out the cards again.

52 replies

Cornersteady replied on 12/11/2018 15:17

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner from Tyne & Wear

Posted on 11/11/2018 23:06 by KjellNN

You need to be more adventurous CS!

No matter....back to the subject....this sounds interesting as we too seem to have an excessive number of cards.

OH tells me she has a main stash and a reserve stash.......she does get out and about more than I do.

Like DD we sort them into categories, mainly UK and abroad, and change them out as required.

We also have a plethora of bank debit cards that we never carry with us, they live in a bundle each at home.

Posted on 12/11/2018 15:17

A bit offensive there Kj, you do not know what my adventures entail or consider? And if the limit of my 'adventure-ness' is going to Portsmouth then I would shoot myself now.

Your comments smacks of the 'timid' label so often given out

Cornersteady replied on 12/11/2018 15:18

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner from Tyne & Wear

Posted on 12/11/2018 07:13 by

I don't rely on OH but I have used the same utility for the last 15 years. It easily stores all my cards for presentation. I bought a more recent version last year but have not yet loaded and used it.

Posted on 12/11/2018 15:18

replied on 12/11/2018 16:32

Posted on 12/11/2018 16:32

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Cornersteady replied on 12/11/2018 17:02

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner from Tyne & Wear

Posted on 12/11/2018 17:02

I do agree with you David. I have found the train e tickets to be one of the greatest inventions ever, buy on line and it's there, no need to collect or even print it out. You can get any price of ticket as a e ticket, Chester-le-street to Newcastle is under a fiver.

You know I was going to write about stopping fraudulent use, that is giving your e-card to another but then that is true of your current paper cards? Maybe a photo won the e card would help?

PS yes I realise that you cannot comprehend how someone would voluntarily use someone's else card to get into a club site

replied on 12/11/2018 17:11

Posted on 12/11/2018 17:02 by Cornersteady

I do agree with you David. I have found the train e tickets to be one of the greatest inventions ever, buy on line and it's there, no need to collect or even print it out. You can get any price of ticket as a e ticket, Chester-le-street to Newcastle is under a fiver.

You know I was going to write about stopping fraudulent use, that is giving your e-card to another but then that is true of your current paper cards? Maybe a photo won the e card would help?

PS yes I realise that you cannot comprehend how someone would voluntarily use someone's else card to get into a club site

Posted on 12/11/2018 17:11

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

replied on 12/11/2018 17:24

Posted on 10/11/2018 10:20 by Cornersteady

As a membership 'card' is needed yes an electronic version would be a good idea.

PS you can turn up on a club site without your card but you need some form of ID with your address on it.

Posted on 12/11/2018 17:24

Great idea! You could scan your National Trust membership card and e-mail copies for your friends to use on their devices.

Hmmmm, might not work out so well for The Trust though!

Navigateur replied on 12/11/2018 17:24

Member

Navigateur

Caravanner from Lanarkshire

Posted on 12/11/2018 17:24

I have one of those I.D. badge holders so beloved of conference organisers into which I have put my Caravan Club card, and the one from the other friendly lot, and this I have on the lanyard of the keys for the caravan that are only needed when setting up or departing. That way the cards are to hand (or neck, actually) when needed.

I suppose in this joined-up electronic world that if someone books through the club their identity is sort of verified by having to log-in on the web-site to make the booking. And when they then turn up at a site with the vehicle and caravan listed in the booking it is unlikely they will be anyone else, especially if they pay with a credit/debit card in the same name.

Or perhaps their pal made the booking for them and lent the charge card and PIN. Now who would do something like that, apart from someone trying to establish an alibi for being somewhere else that they should not be.

Hmmmm.

SteveL replied on 12/11/2018 18:38

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer from Nottinghamshire

Posted on 12/11/2018 17:24 by

Great idea! You could scan your National Trust membership card and e-mail copies for your friends to use on their devices.

Hmmmm, might not work out so well for The Trust though!

Posted on 12/11/2018 18:38

There is no reason the National Trust, or the CC for that matter, could not include a copy of your membership card within your registered account. For the CC it could be included as part of the sites App, which requires email and password to log on. Not so many folk would be willing to pass these onto others, as they give anyone who has them access to all parts of your account. They are not being used with that much frequency that it would make it inconvient to use them in this fashion.

brue replied on 12/11/2018 19:19

Member

brue

Motorhomer

Posted on 12/11/2018 19:19

So you get yourself to the entrance to somewhere and your battery is flat? It's a bit like people being rescued from mountain sides who used their phones as maps and then found they had no power left. Although phone technology is good a card at the moment is "gooder."