1. What Is Contactless Payment?
Contactless payment is a method where you can pay without swiping or inserting your card. It uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and NFC (Near Field Communication) technologies. Just tap or hover your card over a terminal, and your transaction is processed quickly and securely.
2. What Is a Contactless Credit Card?
A contactless credit card has an embedded RFID chip that transmits your payment information to the terminal using short-range electromagnetic waves. No physical contact is needed. Just hover your card over the terminal, and within seconds, your payment is complete.
3. How Contactless Credit Cards Work
When you hold your card near a contactless-enabled terminal, the embedded chip sends your payment information to process the transaction. This method is often called “tap to pay” and takes just a couple of seconds. The terminal will indicate when the transaction is successful.
4. How To Use Contactless Cards
Ensure the merchant has a contactless-enabled terminal (look for the Wi-Fi-like symbol). Hold your card over the terminal for a second or two—no need to physically tap. If you’re using a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, just hold your device near the terminal.
5. How To Know If Your Card Is Contactless
Look for the contactless symbol on your card (resembles a Wi-Fi signal). If the symbol is there, your card is contactless.
6. Is Contactless Payment Secure?
Yes, contactless cards are very secure. The chip generates a one-time code for each transaction, making it nearly impossible for hackers to duplicate. Plus, the physical card must be present for the payment, adding another layer of security.
7. Benefits of Contactless Credit Cards:
- Speed: Transactions are much faster compared to inserting or swiping a card.
- No Touch Required: Helps reduce contact with public surfaces, which became especially important during the pandemic.
- Durability: Since no physical contact is made, your card lasts longer.
- Ideal for Overseas Travel: Widely accepted abroad, especially in Europe and Australia.
8. Banks That Issue Contactless Credit Cards
Most major banks now issue contactless credit cards:
- American Express: Most of their cards now come with contactless technology.
- Citi: Many Citi cards include contactless features.