Combined use transaction cards are disclosed including preferably the functionality of being usable for conducting a financial transaction along with the additional functionality for activation or access to at least one other event. Many types of non-financial events are contemplated such as for access or entry, employee need, student need, and the like. Such cards preferably utilize electronically readable means as may be provided to such cards, such as including magnetic stripes, RFID transponders, OCR text, and one dimensional or two dimensional bar codes.