What you get depends on if there are any special offers on.
I paid £17 and some pence in cash (can't remember how many) when I first joined. I was given a sheet with a scratch off section and had to go onto the weight watchers site and enter my details and give the reference under the scratch part.
Now every month I get the amount taken out of the bank and am sent a card every month in the post. I have to take this card to my meeting so they can record it
My meeting accepts cheques with banker's card and cash. Meeting is from 11.15 and weigh ins are until 12-12.15 depending on numbers and finishes about 12.45
you can buy the monthly pass online as well, which is what i done and you print out a temporary pass and the original came through the post shortly after that.
also my meeting does have chip and pin, think its just depends on the meeting