Unlike a magnetic stripe or bar code, RFID allows for passive data transfer without the need for physical contact or line-of-sight reading.
RFID is not likely to completely replace bar codes, but RFID has specific advantages over bar codes that make it the technology of choice for a growing number of applications. Benefits include:
1).RFID does not require line-of-sight to communicate between tag and reader. This feature improves efficiency and also enables RFID to be used in harsh or dirty environments. 

2).RFID is a dynamic data carrier. Many RFID devices are read/write capable, which enable updates to the encoded data in the tag. With barcodes, any changes to the data require printing a new barcode.

3).RFID provides increased security over barcodes, which are easy to copy and duplicate. With RFID, different levels of security are possible depending on the sensitivity of the data stored or accessed by the RFID tag. Data encryption techniques, secure or private communication protocols, or public/private keys are proven techniques to safeguard the security of a RFID system.

4).The first time read rate of a RFID tag is higher than a barcode, which improves efficiency of a system. Unlike barcodes, RFID is not sensitive to sunlight, making it the ideal credential for outdoor parks or resorts. Also, curvature, especially in a wristband, has minimal impact on reading a RFID tag, whereas curvature in a barcode can render it useless, depending on the symbology or orientation.