American Express, Jawbone partner for wearable payments

New York - American Express and wearable device provider Jawbone are launching a new partnership giving eligible U.S. American Express cardmembers the ability to “tap to pay” with the new Jawbone UP4 fitness tracker. This partnership and product launch marks the first time consumers can use a wearable fitness tracker with an embedded NFC chip for contactless American Express payments

The new Jawbone UP4 tracker is expected to be available for purchase in summer 2014.

“We believe this unique technology will delight our active, digitally-savvy Card Members in a powerful way and drive a new type of engagement at hundreds of thousands of merchant locations nationwide.”

Card members with an UP4 tracker will be able to connect an eligible American Express card via the latest UP app for iOS or Android: Once a card member has connected an eligible card to the UP4 system, they can tap to pay with their wearable fitness tracker anywhere American Express contactless payments are accepted in the U.S.

Card members who connect a card to the UP app can manage it at any time in the payments setting. In addition, card members who connect a card will be able to tap into the American Express mobile app. Normal American Express security and fraud protection applies to Jawbone purchases.

"In partnership with Jawbone, a leader in advanced fitness trackers, we have created a seamless payment experience all in the tap of a wrist," said Leslie Berland, executive VP, digital partnerships and development at American Express. "We believe this unique technology will delight our active, digitally-savvy card members in a powerful way and drive a new type of engagement at hundreds of thousands of merchant locations nationwide.”