The card - which customers can apply for at the BJ's Web site - features Visa's payWave contactless technology, which allows consumers to pay for purchases by waving their card in front of a specially-equipped reader. The reader lights up and beeps to inform consumers that their transaction is being processed.

The new card doubles as a payment and membership card and will also enable customers to collect loyalty points.

Chuck Moore, chief marketing officer at Barclays' US credit card business, says: "We worked closely with BJ's to develop a card programme for its members that would deliver greater value and convenience, including faster rewards accumulation, integrating the membership card with the credit card, and the addition of Visa's payWave contactless payments."

Meanwhile in the UK Barclays is gearing up to launch a new contactless three-in-one card, OnePulse, in London this Autumn. OnePulse features a standard chip and PIN payment system, Oyster card functionality and Visa contactless technology.