Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is rolling out an app-based mobile wallet across participating outlets in the USA.

The goals, says the company, are no pin pads to touch, less cash to handle and an easy, contactless way to pay. The wallet offers shoppers – including those who would like to load cash – a contactless, convenient way to pay.

Accessible in the 7-Eleven app, the wallet lets shoppers securely load funds, using cash, debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and prepaid 7-Eleven gift cards, to use at checkout. Cash must be loaded in store at the register, while other payment methods can be loaded in the app. Users are not charged any loading or transaction fees and incur no interest fees.

“7-Eleven Wallet meets the needs of customers looking for convenient, contactless ways to shop and pay during this unprecedented global pandemic,” said 7-Eleven CEO Joe DePinto. “Cash customers want to participate in the growing digital payment ecosystem. 7-Eleven Wallet gives them access to touchless payment along with deep value loyalty offers.”

Also in the app, members can earn and shop with points, get exclusive offers, redeem rewards for free merchandise and pay in one step, by scanning the barcode in the app. Shoppers using the company’s mobile checkout in select markets, or the fuel loyalty programme at 7-Eleven branded petrol stations to save money on fuel in participating cities, can also use the wallet.

“We are an engine of innovation, constantly pivoting and changing to offer first-of-its-kind and best-in-class solutions as customers’ needs evolve,” said 7-Eleven senior director Sajjad Khan. “7-Eleven approaches every new idea focused solely on how it makes our customers’ days easier. We want the 7Rewards loyalty programme to offer customers extreme value for every dollar spent at their local 7-Eleven store as well as innovative capabilities that enable a fast, frictionless shopping experience.”

As an added bonus, first-time users will be able to earn 2000 7Rewards points when they load $20 into their wallet for the first time until 1 May next year.

The 40 million 7Rewards members can shop with points and convert these bonus loyalty points into dollars for instant savings upon checkout andredeem points on almost every item in participating stores. Lottery, gift cards and money orders are not eligible for wallet purchases. Age-restricted items such as alcohol, tobacco products and lottery tickets are not eligible to shop with points.

Each 1000 points equals $1, and users can convert up to 3000 points ($3) per transaction. Loading those first $20 gives them another $2 to redeem on purchases in stores. To redeem or convert points to dollars for instant savings, members simply scan their 7Rewards barcode found on the home screen of the app at checkout. A prompt on the store’s checkout display will ask if they want to redeem points to save from $1 to $3.

Users must have a verified phone number linked to their 7Rewards account to use the wallet and a verified zip code to access the instantaneous savings. They can download the app in the Apple store or Google Play.

Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 71,800 stores in 17 countries, including 12,000 in North America.