Tap-on-Either-Side Metal Payment Cards: Why Dual-Sided Contactless Technology Improves the Premium Card Experience
Metal payment cards have become a popular way for banks and fintechs to offer something that feels a little more special than a standard plastic card. The weight, the cool touch of metal, and the premium finish all contribute to a sense of quality that many customers now look for in their everyday payment experience.
One of the long-standing challenges has been achieving consistent contactless performance through a metal body, achieving a robust communication with the payment terminal without forcing users to only tap from one side of the card.
An innovative approach to antenna design and construction is helping solve this. Thames Technology’s Fusion Metal and Dual Metal cards are the first of their kind in Europe to offer reliable, tap-on-either-side functionality. This is made possible thanks to AmaTech’s patented “Slit” technology which is incorporated within the card structure to help contactless signals pass through smoothly without compromising the metal design.
Why ‘Tap on Either Side’ Matters
Metal cards are known for their premium feel, but their solid construction can interfere with radio-frequency communication and make contactless payments less predictable.
With single-sided metal cards, cardholders often assume a card is defective if it does not tap immediately, returning it as a “non-functioning” product rather than trying the reverse side. This leads to unnecessary replacements as well as increased customer complaints and additional costs for issuers.
As contactless payments have become the default in many shops, transport, and daily services, people expect their cards to work instantly and intuitively. According to the European Central Bank, the number of contactless card payments in the euro area increased by 15.5% to 29.5 billion during the second half of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023. In the UK, there were 18.9 billion contactless debit and credit card payments made during 2024 according to UK Finance, around 61% of all card transactions.
That’s why “tap on either side” functionality makes such a meaningful difference. It removes the need to think about how to hold the card, ensuring it works smoothly from the first tap.
This improvement not only creates a better user experience but also reduces the number of performance-related queries and replacements for issuers - making metal cards truly practical for everyday use.
How the Technology Works
AmaTech’s RFID “Slit” technology replaces conventional in-house booster antenna and the ferrite layer, offsetting the effects of electromagnetic shielding. The patented technology innovation overcomes the radio-frequency blocking characteristic of most metal cards and is designed to operate effectively regardless of which side faces the terminal, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive user experience.
A Step Forward for Premium Card Design
For banks and fintechs offering high-end card programmes, dual-sided contactless represents a practical improvement. It enhances the everyday payment experience while preserving the aesthetic appeal that makes metal cards so desirable in the first place.
As contactless transactions continue to grow across Europe, addressing performance reliability in metal cards is a crucial step - and “tap on either side” capability is becoming a meaningful differentiator for user satisfaction.
By combining advanced dual-sided contactless performance with the unmistakable appeal of metal, Thames Technology’s Fusion Metal and Dual Metal cards offer a solution that meets the expectations of today’s contactless-first world - delivering both style and seamless usability for banks, fintechs and their customers across Europe.
FAQs: Understanding Dual-Sided Contactless Metal Cards
Are metal cards suitable for contactless payments?
Many metal cards are fully compatible with contactless payments, but not all work when tapped on either side. Thames Technology’s dual-sided contactless metal cards are designed to perform seamlessly and reliably whichever way they are facing the payment terminal. New manufacturing methods allow the card to perform similarly to a plastic contactless card but with the premium feel of metal.
Why do some metal cards fail to tap on the first try?
Some metal cards only tap on one side, and this could potentially block or weaken the contactless signal, meaning the card only worked when tapped in a specific orientation. Thames Technology’s Fusion Metal and Dual Metal cards solve this by allowing the signal to pass through more effectively, resulting in consistent performance.
What makes dual-sided contactless different?
Dual-sided contactless cards work regardless of which side is tapped against the terminal. There is no “right way up,” removing the guesswork for cardholders and improving ease of use.
Are premium metal cards worth it?
For many users, yes. Metal cards offer a higher perceived value, durability, and a more rewarding tactile experience - now paired with the reliable contactless performance that everyday payments require.
