Arby's has join the ranks of merchants accepting the American Express ExpressPay. ExpressPay is a contactless payment option that consists of a secure computer chip powered by radio frequency technology. The feature is an easy-to-use alternative to cash for making everyday purchases at merchants where speed and convenience are important ? such as quick service restaurants, supermarkets, drug stores and gas stations.

American Express was the first credit card issuer to launch contactless cards nationally with the rollout of Blue from American Express? with the ExpressPay feature in June 2005. ExpressPay is also embedded in the Clear from American Express(SM) Card and available via a key fob that can be linked to any American Express? Card. Users simply hold the Card or key fob with ExpressPay next to a special reader near the register to complete a purchase.

The company's initial pilots showed that, on average, ExpressPay transactions are 63 percent faster than using cash. Market research with pilot participants also confirmed that consumers view convenience and simplicity of use as two of the major benefits. For merchants, important benefits include reduced transaction and service time for customers on the go. Also, the ExpressPay reader uses the merchants' existing network infrastructure, so the system can be simply installed without lengthy or costly upgrades.

Speedy checkouts and payments: Payments are authorized in seconds and does not require a signature in most instances. The computer chip enables secure end-to-end transactions. Blue and Clear from American Express Cards also have a magnetic strip and function as traditional credit cards.