Adding Durability to Your Card Program

Protecting cards against life’s harsh realities

Consumers handle their cards in many different ways. Some carry them in their wallet and use them every day. Others may stick them in a pocket or leave them laying loose in a bag or purse. Still, others like to put their cards to the test and use them for unintended purposes, such as scraping a window. In any case, these various uses have different impacts on the lifespan of a card, and the more durability you can add to the card, the lower the replacement costs will be. This is especially important with costly EMV smart cards that are used to create more secure card portfolios. Card durability and longevity become vitally important in reducing overall program costs.

Usage is just one factor that impacts card durability. The following factors all contribute to card lifespan:

A closer look at card lifespan

To get an idea of the average lifespan for your card program, you need to consider the typical usage, the level of required functionality for transaction capability, and exposure levels that your card will face on a regular basis. We recommend considering all of the elements that impact your card program and selecting the appropriate level of protection based on your specific needs.
Based on the types of usage and exposure a card may experience, the chart on page three can help you determine the durability options that best suit your card program.