SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants fans at AT&T Park arespending less time in concession lines and more time enjoying thegame as Visa USA is stepping up deployment of concession terminalsthat streamline the experience at point of sale.

Last season the card brand and the team installed 100 of theterminals on a test basis. The terminals allow customers to choosetheir concessions directly and swipe their credit and debit cardsthemselves. Transactions under $25 dollars do not require acardholder signature.

In the 2006 season, the Giants experienced a 49% increase inpayment card transactions over the previous season, with nearly 67%of all electronic transactions being made with Visa-branded cards.During the trial, the average ticket size for electronic paymenttransactions was 31% higher than for cash transactions.

“It is our top priority to create the best possible experiencefor our fans when they are at the ballpark,” said Larry Baer,Giants executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Afterlast season's successful trial, we are pleased that Visa terminalshave enhanced the fan experience at our games by enablingfaster-moving concession lines. We are pleased to be partners withVisa, and to roll-out this payment technology throughout AT&TPark.” “Visa's combination of consumer-facing payment technologyand the elimination of signature requirements for small ticketitems is an example of our commitment to innovative paymentsolutions that add value to merchants and consumers alike,” saidNiki Manby, senior vice president product innovation, Visa USA. “Weare proud to partner with the Giants to bring the speed andconvenience of Visa to Giants fans in the San Francisco BayArea.”

Visa's No Signature Required Program, which launched in April2006, was designed to accelerate Visa acceptance and card usage attraditionally cash-heavy merchants. As part of Visa's No SignatureRequired program, a range of cash-heavy businesses can accept Visafor purchases without obtaining a cardholder signature fortransactions less than $25. The program is available in severalmerchant segments where fraud has been historically low, such asfast food restaurants, convenience stores, parking lots and movietheaters, among others, the card brand said.