Several New Apple Pay Partnerships Announced

Apple continues to roll out news following their “Spring Forward” event this past Monday. Although the biggest buzz is obviously surrounding the upcoming Apple Watch and new, ultra-thin MacBook, Apple has announced several new and exciting Apple Pay partnerships in the past few days.

On Tuesday, Apple officially announced new Apple Pay partnerships with Marriott, GameStop, Kickstarter, and Etsy. Marriott locations are beginning to accept the mobile payment system for convenient check-in at the front desk. GameStop has already begun accepting Apple Pay in many of its stores nationwide, with hopes to add Apple Pay support to over 4,200 stores by the end of this month. Kickstarter now allows users to kick in money via Apple Pay to any US-based crowdfunded project. Finally, Etsy is looking to add Apple Pay support in its iOS app in the very near future, allowing sellers who accept Direct Checkout to receive payments via the mobile payment service.

Just yesterday, Apple added 13 new retailers to the Apple Pay site, including support at some 40,000 Coca-Cola vending machines across the US. Bashas’, Dan’s Fresh Market, Dick’s Fresh Market, Fuddruckers, Jamba Juice, Jersey Mike’s Subs, JetBlue, Lin’s Fresh Market, Macy’s, Office Max, Pep Boys, and Regal Cinemas also joined the growing list of retailers supporting the payment system. LL Bean has also been added to the “coming soon” section, joining Albertson’s, Anthropologie, and Urban Outfitters.

With an estimated 700,000 locations nationwide now on board, Apple Pay has been a resounding success. The upcoming release of the Apple Watch and support in countries abroad point to even more acceptance of the service in the future.