Improved methods and systems are described that improve and enhance payment transaction technologies using node association in a wireless node network. In general, a master node related to a payment receiver may detect a signal from an ID node related to a payment provider as the ID node approaches the master node. The master node may then determine if the ID node desires to associate with the master node for a payment transaction based upon a first part of information within the detected signal, such as an identified item being purchased in the transaction. If desired, the master node and the ID node associate for the payment transaction, and the master node then submits payment transaction data to a server. Such payment transaction data is based upon a second part of information within the detected signal, such as an identified payment source for the transaction.