GoTab: The RFID Pass That's a Guest's Key to the Whole Venue
One tap of a card or wristband pulls up an open tab anywhere on-site — the bar, a self-pour wall, a kiosk, a vendor stall — alongside GoTab's QR and mobile ordering, not instead of them.
What is GoTab's RFID Pass?
GoTab's RFID Pass links a card, wristband, or fob to an open tab as that tab's identifier — the pass itself isn't a payment method. A guest taps it at the bar, a self-pour wall, a kiosk, or a vendor stall, GoTab looks up the tab behind it, and adds the order. The tab is what carries the actual payment method — typically a pre-authorized credit card, or for hotels, a room folio — so there's no re-entering a card, no re-authorizing, no starting over. It runs on standard, reusable RFID hardware, not a proprietary card GoTab locks you into.
One Card, Every Touchpoint
Once a tab is open, GoTab can issue any number of RFID passes tied to it — one for a solo guest, or dozens for a group, a family, or a full venue buyout. Each tap at a self-pour wall, an arcade game, a kiosk, or another vendor's stall pulls up that same tab and adds to it, so a guest (or an entire party) never has to hand over a card twice.
How GoTab's RFID Pass Works
One tap pulls up the tab, anywhere on site
A guest taps their card or wristband at the bar, a self-pour wall, a kiosk, or a vendor stall, and their open tab comes right up.
One tab, many cards
A single tab can carry multiple RFID passes — issue one per person in a group or family, each with its own permissions (for example, a kids' pass that can't ring up alcohol).
Per-card spend limits
Pass limits let you cap how much a single card can add to the tab — useful for kids' passes, event buyouts, or pre-paid packages.
Pre-authorized, so close-out is effortless
Because the tab was pre-authorized when the pass was issued, plenty of venues just let guests drop the card in a bin on the way out — the tab closes itself.
This is one more door into the tab, not the only one. RFID passes work alongside QR codes, mobile ordering, and staff at the counter — a venue doesn't have to choose, and neither does the guest.
Curious how RFID fits with self-pour walls specifically? See The Advantages of Self-Serve: Tap Into Higher Profits & Reduced Waste with PourMyBeer →
Modern, Flexible Hardware for Every Service Environment
GoTab's hardware is built to be flexible. You're not locked into one brand or one device.
Point of Sale POS
Connect ordering, payments, kitchen operations, and guest tabs in one flexible platform.
Self-Ordering Kiosks
Guests build their order, pay, and send it straight to the kitchen.
Handheld POS
Your full point of sale in a server's pocket — orders, tap-to-pay, and kitchen alerts from anywhere on the floor.
The GoTab Difference
You're not buying into a proprietary card system. GoTab's RFID Pass runs on Windows, iOS, and Android hardware, and on the same standard cards used across the self-pour and amusement industries.
Kitchen Display System (KDS)
See every order the moment it's placed whether from the counter, handheld, kiosk, QR, or online.
Simple and Transparent Pricing
Our pricing is simple: we make money when you do. With our transaction-based processing fees, GoTab is your all-in-one POS and much more.
Open APIs To Connect Your Entire Tech Stack
GoTab is an open platform. Its API connects to the tools you already use — loyalty programs, accounting software, and reservation systems — so you can build the exact setup your business needs, instead of settling for whatever one vendor happens to offer.
Bring Your Systems Together
Connect reservations, events, accounting, loyalty, inventory, self-pour, gaming, property management, and more.
Work With Leading Hospitality Platforms
Including Tripleseat, Intercard, Amusement Connect, PourMyBev, CourtReserve, Mews, and other specialized technology providers.
Keep Data Moving Across Your Operation
Reduce disconnected systems and manual work by sharing critical information between GoTab and the tools your teams rely on.
Build for What Comes Next
Open APIs give operators and technology partners more flexibility to support new experiences and evolving business needs.
One tab, every touchpoint
A single RFID pass carries a tab to the bar, a self-pour wall, a kiosk, or a vendor stall — guests never re-authorize.
Built for groups, not just individuals
Issue any number of passes to a single tab, each with its own permissions and spend limit.
One more option, not a forced switch
RFID passes run alongside QR, mobile, and staff ordering, so a venue can add them without replacing anything.
Self-pour orders can charge to the room, not just a card
With a PMS integration, a pour-wall or RFID order can settle straight to a hotel guest's room folio — a capability most self-pour integrations don't offer.
See How GoTab's RFID Pass Compares to Traditional POS Platforms
Toast's card-based tools are built for stored-value gift cards, not an open, pre-authorized tab that travels to a self-pour wall or kiosk.
Square's contactless hardware is built for tap-to-pay credit cards, not a guest-issued RFID pass tied to an open, shareable tab.
Clover has no native open-tab RFID pass system — operators typically need a separate third-party add-on to connect a self-pour wall or wristband to the register.
Explore GoTab by Business Type
Every venue runs differently. See how GoTab fits your type of business.
See all business types
Trusted by Hospitality Leaders
“Now we're selling more food. All the vendors are noticing more food sales based on our numbers and the guest experience.”
“One of the great things about the QR codes and how well that system functions is that it has enabled us to save on labor because we don't need to have waitstaff in the traditional sense.”
“People used to spend 40 minutes of their visit waiting in line. Now they're just sitting with their family and their beer arrives. Before, they'd walk out. Now they stay.”
“Before, we were doing $2,000 to $3,000 a day in reservations. When we switched to this simplified all-inclusive model, we started booking more than $30,000 a day.”
“We tried another QR code ordering system in another store and it fell flat. But with GoTab, we're seeing triple or quadruple the sales compared to that other store, and that's with less attendance. Guests love it.”
“Attendance for some events can soar from 5,000–7,000 on an average day, to an astonishing 110,000 guests for our annual Breeders Cup event. GoTab helps the team achieve exceptional agility”
View case study
Watch the story
2,100
ordering interactions moved out of food lines on a 7,000-visitors
The GoTab Pass RFID is an integrated ordering, payment and access solution that allows users to make transactions or place orders at events, venues, or services using an RFID-enabled card, wristband, or other wearable device. By simply tapping the Pass RFID item near a reader, users can securely complete payments, access exclusive benefits, or redeem services without running a credit card transaction or paying by cash.
Yes, the GoTab Pass RFID platform is designed with advanced encryption and security protocols to protect user data and prevent unauthorized access. The contactless nature of the RFID technology ensures that sensitive information is transmitted securely.
Yes, the GoTab Pass RFID allows servers to reload a guest’s balance easily. You can add funds to the RFID-enabled card or wearable device through the GoTab POS or Kiosk. This makes it convenient to ensure guests always have funds available for transactions. GoTab Pass RFID cards are also reusable/reprogrammable to reduce costs.
The GoTab Pass RFID can be used at participating GoTab locations, including restaurants, bars, festivals, events, and any food & beverage establishment. A growing network of operators supports GoTab Pass RFID for payments and access.
RFID technology offers several advantages for resorts, including secure access control, streamlined guest identification processes, and efficient tracking of amenity usage. Guests can use RFID wristbands or cards to pay for items, facilities, and other resort amenities, simplifying their experience and enhancing security measures.
Here are some key features and benefits of using RFID technology at hotels and resorts:
- Secure Access: Ensures secure access control throughout the resort.
- Guest Convenience: GoTab allows guests to easily pay for amenities with RFID wristbands or cards.
- Operational Efficiency: GoTab streamlines guest identification and tracking processes.
Learn about GoTab’s Pass RFID for hotels and resorts.
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