BLIK or Card – Which Payment Method Is Safer?
- igorklimkowicz
- May 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 3
In the age of growing popularity of online shopping and the dynamic development of payment technologies, we increasingly face the question: is it safer to pay with BLIK or with a card? Both methods have their advantages and limitations, as well as different refund procedures in case of a dishonest seller. Let’s take a closer look – including a real-life situation that happened to the author of this article.
How does BLIK work?
BLIK is a Polish mobile payment system that allows transactions using a one-time, six-digit code generated in your banking app. BLIK payments work on the principle of instant bank transfers from one account to another. BLIK can also be linked to a phone number (for phone-to-phone payments) and used for online transactions or ATM withdrawals.
The system operates through direct communication between banks or via clearing systems like Elixir or Express Elixir. Importantly, BLIK transactions are irreversible – once the funds reach the recipient’s account, reversing the transaction without their consent is virtually impossible.
Card Payments: How Do They Work and What Do They Offer?
Card transactions (both physical and digital, e.g., via Apple Pay or Google Pay) are processed by card networks such as Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. These systems not only handle payments but also offer additional consumer protections, including the ability to request a chargeback.
Chargeback is a procedure that allows the consumer to recover funds from a transaction if:
the product wasn’t delivered,
the goods were damaged,
the seller didn’t fulfill the contract.
According to card network rules, a chargeback can usually be requested up to 120 days from the transaction date or the scheduled delivery date. In some cases, this time frame can be extended.
Payment Security: BLIK vs. Card
BLIK
BLIK transactions do not require providing sensitive data (e.g., card number), reducing the risk of interception.
The BLIK code is one-time use and valid for only 2 minutes.
However, lack of chargeback means that in case of fraud, recovering funds can be very difficult or impossible.
Card
Card details can be stolen and used for unauthorized transactions.
The 3D Secure system (3DS) is used – additional payer authentication such as SMS code or app authorization.
Card payments allow chargeback, significantly increasing consumer protection.
Real-Life Example: Chargeback in Action
Let me share a situation that happened to me personally – which illustrates just how valuable the chargeback option can be. One day I noticed an unfamiliar transaction for 400 PLN on my bank account – it was a subscription charge made by Apple. At first, I was confused – I didn’t remember ordering anything.
I reported the issue to both Apple and my bank. Both institutions reacted quickly and refunded the money – Apple after canceling the subscription, and the bank through the chargeback procedure. Only later did I figure out what had really happened. It turned out that my mother, who had access to the same Apple ID, accidentally activated a subscription by clicking “try for free,” not realizing that the app would automatically charge a high fee after the trial.
As you can see, chargeback can be extremely useful, even in cases of accidental purchases. The whole process took a few days but ended successfully.
It’s worth knowing that for smaller amounts, banks often refund the money directly from their own funds without running the full chargeback process through Visa or Mastercard. Each such case costs the bank around 20–30 euros, so they prefer to simplify the procedure if the case is clear-cut.
Types of Payment Methods by Connection to Bank Account
We can distinguish two main categories of payment methods:
1. Direct Payments – Account to Account
IBAN (traditional bank transfer)
BLIK (code or phone number)
Phone-to-phone payments
These transactions are instant but irreversible. Banks have no legal tools to reverse such payments without the recipient’s consent.
2. Indirect Payments – Through a Card
Debit and credit cards
Apple Pay, Google Pay (tokens linked to a card)
These payments are processed by card networks and subject to chargeback, offering greater user protection.
Which One to Choose? Summary
Feature | BLIK | Payment Card |
Transaction Reversal | No | Yes (chargeback) |
Transaction Speed | Very fast | Fast |
Data Security | High | Moderate (with 3DS) |
Convenience | High | High |
Consumer Protection | Low | High |
Conclusion: If you’re shopping on well-known and trusted sites (e.g., Allegro, Decathlon), BLIK is very convenient and fast. However, when the risk of fraud is higher (new seller, unknown store), paying with a card is the safer choice thanks to the chargeback option.
~ Article author: Michał Stachera
