Mastercard testing vending machines that take credit cards

Just off the ice at the Star Center rink, Jenafir Chant held a credit card against a vending machine. A second later, a bottle of Diet Dr Pepper tumbled into view.

The machine takes plastic.

"We were all excited when these went in last week,'' said Chant, who leads a team of girls who clean the ice between periods at Dallas Stars games.

"I was scrounging around for $2 for a Monster. Now I don't have to scrounge.''

The machine at the ice rink is one of 750 that British company Cadbury Schweppes PLC and MasterCard Inc. are testing in the Dallas area, New York and Chicago to answer a key question: Will people spend more at vending machines if they can use plastic?