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ASTAnews CREDIT CARD CHIP TECHNOLOGY Credit card upgrades affect businesses
ON OCTOBER 1, 2015, liability for ‘card-in-hand’ credit card transactions fell to retailers without updated credit card readers and software. In July of this year, ASTA members using credit card readers as part of their normal course of business were urged to contact their merchant processor/ bank as soon as possible to ensure readiness. Today, approximately 10% of ASTA members use credit card readers to process payment for items such as service fees, custom travel packages, travel services including passport/visa photos, books and other retail items. Credit card companies and retailers adjusted
to new standards in the US in preparation for the liability shift that occurred on October 1. With any counterfeit fraudulent credit card activity occurring on or after that date, liability shifted from credit card companies and banks to retailers/merchants, if the retailer didn’t switch to credit card readers accommodating chip cards and magnetic stripes. New chip card standards are meant to increase security for consumers and
CUSTOM RESEARCH ASTA provides valuable research and reports
ASTA HAS BEEN a reliable source of research on the travel agency industry for many decades. It collects, collates and analyzes data unavailable anywhere else on agency operations, from agency models to revenue sources. Tis data can be used to pinpoint agency trends, compare and contrast agency operations and develop marketing tactics. In addition, the ASTA research department
collects feedback from the attendees of many of its meetings and events, such as the most recent ASTA Global Convention held in Washington, D.C. this year. Feedback from members, sponsors and partners is therefore very important and will help ASTA to continue tailoring the reports to fit future needs. n ASTA’S TRAVEL AGENCY BENCHMARKING SERIES: ASTA annually recruits the ASTA Research Family — a representative panel of ASTA travel agency members — to complete a series of benchmarking surveys. Many of these
survey results and findings can be found in the Research Reports. n CUSTOMIZED RESEARCH SOLUTIONS: ASTA provides custom research support to travel agent members, Premium Members, Allied Members and non-members. Cost varies based on individuals’ membership status and the scope of the request. n ASTA RESEARCH SPONSORSHIP: ASTA travel agent members and non-members can be reached through sponsorship of existing ASTA Research and Reports. Research is used across the travel industry, from frontline agents to the press to large corporate agencies. n ASTA FOUNDATION: Te ASTA Foundation funds research and education projects to support the travel agency industry. Donations will
fund projects that will strengthen the
industry. As a 501(c)3, donations to the foundation are tax deductible.
fall 2015 | ASTAnetwork | 9
businesses using credit card readers routinely for ‘card-in-hand’ sales. ASTA members should ensure they have
upgraded credit card readers and software that can read chip cards in addition to magnetic
stripes. Any impacted agency can do so by contacting its merchant processor or bank (the financial institution processing credit or debit card payments on its behalf), to be walked through the necessary steps.
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