Contactless Credit Card: An Overview

In a world where we are increasingly reliant on technology, it’s no surprise that our payment methods are changing as well. One of the latest innovations in the world of payments is the contactless credit card. If you have ever been to a store and seen the little “PayWave” or “PayPass” logo on a terminal, that means it accepts contactless payments.

But what exactly are contactless payments, and how do they work? In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about contactless credit cards.

Contactless credit cards are a new type of wireless credit card that allows you to make purchases without having to swipe or insert your card into a card reader. Instead, you simply hold your card near the reader and the purchase is automatically charged to your account. These types of cards are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a more convenient way to pay for purchases.

There are several benefits to using a contactless credit card. First, it’s more convenient than traditional credit cards. You don’t have to fumble around with your card when you are trying to make a purchase since you can just hold it near the reader and be on your way.

Second, contactless credit cards are more secure than traditional credit cards. When you use a contactless credit card, your information is encrypted, so it’s much more difficult for thieves to steal your information. And finally, contactless credit cards can make it easier to track your spending. If you tend to lose track of your spending when you use cash or traditional credit cards, a contactless credit card can help you stay on budget.

In case you are interested in getting a contactless credit card, there are a few things to keep in mind. Not all merchants accept contactless payments yet, so be sure to check before you try to make a purchase. Additionally, even if a merchant does accept contactless payments, you may still need to enter your PIN for certain transactions. That is why it’s best to check everything with your bank before getting one.

What Is a Contactless Credit Card?

Now that you know some basic information, let’s now cover what is a contactless credit card. A contactless credit card is a credit card that uses near-field communication (NFC) technology to make payments. NFC is a type of wireless technology that allows two devices, like your credit card and a payment terminal, to communicate with each other when they are close together.

When you use a contactless credit card to pay for something, you simply hold your card up to the payment terminal and the transaction will be processed wirelessly. You don’t need to swipe or insert your card into the terminal, and you don’t need to sign for your purchase.

These cards are becoming increasingly common as more businesses start accepting this type of payment. Many major credit card issuers, such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, now offer contactless cards. And if you have a smartphone with NFC capabilities, you may be able to use it to make contactless payments as well.

How Do Contactless Credit Cards Work?

But how to use a contactless credit card? When you tap your contactless credit card on a payment terminal, the terminal uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to communicate with your card. Your card sends a one-time code to the terminal, which is then used to authenticate and authorize the transaction.

Contactless credit cards offer better security than traditional credit cards because they use a unique one-time code for each transaction. This means that even if someone was able to intercept the signal from your card, they would not be able to use your card because the code would be invalid.

If you are ever concerned about the security of a contactless transaction, you can always ask the merchant to process your purchase as a traditional credit card transaction. Although there is no need for that since for bigger transactions you will need to insert your PIN in order for it to be authorized.

How to Use Contactless Credit Cards

In case you have a credit card with a contactless symbol on it, you can use it to make purchases without having to swipe or insert your card into a reader. Instead, you simply hold your card near a contactless reader and the purchase is complete.

If you are unsure how to use your contactless credit card, here is a quick guide:

1. Look for the contactless symbol on the terminal. This will let you know that the terminal is able to read your contactless card.

2. Hold your card close to the terminal, about 2-4 inches away.

You don’t need to swipe or insert your card into the reader.

3. The terminal will beep or give some other indication that it has read your card.

Follow any prompts on the screen and remove your card when prompted.

4. That’s it.

Your purchase is complete and you can go on your way.

Since they are very easy to use, following these steps will help you tackle them with super ease in case it’s your first time using one. On top of that, clerks will help you to use them properly.

How to Determine Whether Your Credit Card Is Contactless

Since contactless cards are very popular, you can use them in many shops and there are ways how you can determine if your card is indeed contactless.

First, look for the contactless symbol on your credit card. This is usually a wave symbol or the letters NFC.

Second, you can ask your card issuer if your card is contactless. They should be able to tell you if it is or not.

Finally, you can try using your card at a contactless payment terminal. If it works, then your card is definitely contactless.

Because they are very popular, there is a high chance that your card is offering you the possibility to make contactless purchases.

Contactless Credit Cards: Pros and Cons

As the name suggests, contactless credit cards are those that don’t require physical contact with a terminal in order to complete a transaction. Instead, these cards rely on short-range radio frequency (RFID) technology to communicate with payment terminals.

With that said, there are both pros and cons of using one, that you should weigh out before getting one.

Pros of contactless credit cards:

• Speed and convenience
• Security features
• No additional fees
• Variety of features

Cons of contactless credit cards:

• High-value transactions
• Multiple cards

Pros

Contactless credit cards come with some amazing benefits. Primarily they are more secure and safer than regular credit cards. This is because they offer an additional layer of security with SSL, which is the socket security layer.

On top of that, these cards don’t come with any additional fees associated with them, which makes them more affordable. Another great thing they offer is the possibility to make your payments fast and easy since all you need to do is to put your card closer to the card reader.

Cons

Contactless credit cards are not without their drawbacks, however. One of the biggest cons is that they are much easier to lose than a regular credit card.

They can also be stolen more easily, as all someone needs to do is get close enough to you to read the information on the card.

Additionally, in some cases, contactless credit cards might be hard to read on the card reader and you will be forced to use a normal one.

Who Offers Contactless Credit Cards?

There are many financial institutions that offer contactless credit cards, including major banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Some issuers may require you to have a certain credit score or income level to qualify for a contactless card.

When looking for a contactless credit card, compare features and fees to find the best card for your needs. Pay attention to the interest rate, annual fee, and rewards program. You will also want to consider whether you want a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, as these are the three most widely accepted brands of contactless cards.

In case you are not sure which contactless credit card is the right fit for you, consider reading reviews from other consumers. Once you have found a card that meets your needs, you can apply for it online or in person at a bank or credit union branch.

Both ways are good, it just depends on what you find easier and more convenient for you.

Are Contactless Credit Cards Safe?

If you are by now wondering are contactless credit cards secure, the answer is yes. Contactless credit cards are equipped with a radio-frequency identification chip, which transmits your credit card information to the merchant’s reader when you wave or tap your card near the reader.

The information is then passed on to the processor, and finally to your credit card issuer for approval.

Some people have expressed concerns about the safety of contactless credit cards and popped the question of how to protect them since the technology is relatively new and there have been some high-profile cases of data breaches in recent years.

However, experts say that contactless cards are actually more secure than traditional magnetic stripe cards since they require a PIN or signature for authentication, and the information transmitted is encrypted.

Additionally, if your contactless card is lost or stolen, you can report it to your issuer and they will cancel the card and issue you a new one. This makes them more secure and reliable than traditional credit cards.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to credit cards, it’s safe to say they are taking the world by storm and the contactless type is a new form of them. Contactless credit cards and a faster and more convenient way of making a purchase.

In case you didn’t have one by now, after reading this article you can get a better insight into how they work and get one for yourself. Just make sure to check with your bank if one of these cards is available to you.