Learn about chip technology and directions VISA cards

All new Directions VISA credit cards come equipped with chip technology. Some members may still have older cards without an embedded chip, but we are systematically replacing members’ old cards with chip-enabled ones. If you are a Directions member and have not yet received your chip-enabled card, please contact us to request one. IMPORTANT: If you have plans to travel outside the U.S., it is highly advisable that you do so with a chip-enabled card. In many countries, cards without a chip will not work.

Chip cards, also known as smart cards or EMV cards, contain embedded microprocessors that assign unique transaction IDs for each transaction. They also provide strong transaction security protection and other features not possible with traditional magnetic stripe cards. Chip card technology provides an added layer of security to help minimize cardholder impact when a data breach occurs. While this technology can’t prevent all security breaches, a chip card is an important first line of defense.

The cost for merchants to upgrade to chip enabled terminals is very expensive. Many merchants are slowly upgrading terminals, but it may be an even slower process for some smaller merchants. Over time, most, if not all, merchants will accept chip cards because of the liability involved if a fraudulent act were to occur. By issuing chip cards, financial institutions will no longer be financially responsible for counterfeit fraud losses, therefore making it very important for merchants to upgrade to chip enabled terminals.