An encoded transactional card system comprising a carrier having a first
side, a second side, a top side, a bottom side, a front and a back; a
card having a first side, a second side, a top side, bottom side, a front
and a back, wherein the card is connected to and selectively detachable
from the carrier and wherein the carrier generally surrounds the card
first side, the top or bottom side and the second side; and a magnetic
strip for encoding information wherein the magnetic strip traverses the
carrier from the carrier first side across the card to the carrier second
side.