Contactless Payment: Leader In Airport Retailing, Paradies Shops, Now Enables Travelers To ''Tap & Go'' With MasterCard PayPass

MasterCard Worldwide announced recently that The Paradies Shops, the nation's leading airport concessionaire, expects to accept MasterCard PayPass contactless payment transactions at its more than 500 retail store locations throughout the U.S. and Canada by late 2008. By accepting MasterCard PayPass, Paradies will offer the more than half-billion travelers it serves each year quicker transactions and greater payment convenience to enhance the overall travel shopping experience.

"For our customers who are traveling and constantly on the go, MasterCard PayPass provides an even faster way to pay at retail locations where convenience and efficiency are paramount," said Lou Bottino, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, The Paradies Shops. "Expanding our payment options to include MasterCard PayPass is an extension of our commitment to provide our customers with the most valuable and convenient airport shopping and travel experience."

With PayPass technology, Paradies customers can simply tap their PayPass-enabled MasterCard card or device on a PayPass reader at check-out, eliminating the need to hand their card over to a cashier or fumble for cash. MasterCard PayPass also does not require customers to sign receipts for purchases under $25, further speeding up the transaction.

"Airport retail locations are a natural fit for PayPass technology, which is designed to provide speed and convenience at the point of sale and help customers be on their way," said Gerritt Kerkstra, senior vice president, U.S. Acquirer Relations, MasterCard Worldwide. "We are very excited that Paradies has joined the growing list of merchants that accept PayPass as we continue to look for ways to enhance the shopping experience for consumers."

Paradies will accept MasterCard PayPass, in addition to traditional magnetic-stripe payment cards, at all of the check-out counters of the specialized, one-of-a-kind stores and nationally-recognized retail brands it operates in over 60 airports and hotels in North America. The Paradies family of brands includes a wide variety of retailers from newsstands to specialty gift shops, such as, Brooks Brothers, PGA TOUR Shops, CNBC, Harley-Davidson and The New York Times bookstores.

MasterCard PayPass is currently accepted within several retail sectors where speed and convenience are critical factors, such as quick serve restaurants, sports stadiums and arenas, movie theaters, supermarkets, vending machines, and taxis.

About MasterCard PayPass
MasterCard PayPass is ideal for traditional cash-heavy environments where speed is essential, and has led the way in bringing contactless technology to consumer categories such as quick serve restaurants, drug stores, gas stations, vending machines, convenience stores, sports arenas, movie theaters, transit systems and parking garages. As of November 2007, there are more than 20 million PayPass cards and devices issued globally, and PayPass is currently accepted at more than 80,000 merchant locations worldwide, including participating CVS, McDonald's, Regal Entertainment Group theaters and many others. PayPass is also accepted at numerous professional football and baseball stadiums. For more information about MasterCard PayPass and a full list of participating merchants, visit www.mastercard.com/paypass.

About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 16 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.mastercard.com .

About The Paradies Shops
Named Best Airport Retailer for the past 12 consecutive years by Airport Revenue News, The Paradies Shops was established in 1960. A family-owned business, The Paradies Shops operates over 500 stores in 63 airports across the United States and Canada. With extensive experience in operating both local and national brands, to include CNBC News, PGA TOUR Shops, Brooks Brothers, Brighton Collectibles, Harley-Davidson, and The New York Times Bookstores, The Paradies Shops maintains a substantial presence as one of the largest airport retailers. Additionally, The Paradies Shops operates several hotel properties and the retail program for the Georgia Aquarium, the world's largest aquarium, located in Atlanta. For more information, please visit www.theparadiesshops.com .

SOURCE: MasterCard Worldwide