Last edit by: storewanderer
Older (archived) threads: 2014-16
- - - - - -
FAQ- What is EMV contactless?
EMV contactless is a form of contactless/NFC that uses the same security and encryption that is used when inserting a chip card into an EMV-enabled terminal. Other than not having to sign/enter a PIN for smaller transactions, the security is effectively the same as chip and PIN/chip and signature.
In contrast, MSD contactless is an older version that is designed just and only for the United States. This effectively uses much the same flow as a swiped card transaction with the same rules.
- What is CDCVM?
CDCVM stands for Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method. It's a method of telling the terminal that the customer verified their identity using their mobile device. Terminals that support it will waive the signature/PIN requirement typically in place for larger transactions, potentially saving time at checkout.
More info: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202527
- Does EMV contactless need to be supported to support CDCVM?
Typically, yes. (However, there are some exceptions below.)
- Why can't I tap my foreign-issued contactless card at most places in the US?
This is likely because the store does not support EMV contactless. Foreign issued contactless cards typically do not support MSD contactless since other markets have had EMV for quite some time. In contrast, most stores in the US have yet to get the necessary certifications/software for EMV contactless so they are typically MSD-only--if contactless is enabled at all. (See below for a list of stores where your card will likely work.)
- I paid for a purchase with Apple/Android/Samsung Pay and still had to sign for it.
Most likely, the store in question does not have EMV contactless enabled (see above question). However, there are instances where CDCVM does not work even with EMV contactless enabled. Restaurants that allow tip adjust, for example--where the tip amount is written on a paper receipt and entered by the staff later--cannot support CDCVM. It may simply be a matter of the merchant's processor or the POS software in use not supporting it too.
Another common reason is if you used a US-issued AmEx card with a mobile wallet. AmEx currently does not allow EMV contactless support in mobile wallets for these cards, so they always run as MSD contactless. Because of this, CDCVM is not supported (with very few exceptions, as noted below).
Note: if you used Samsung Pay, you may have paid with MST instead of NFC. Since MST emulates the magnetic pulses that the terminal receives when swiping a regular card, the normal magstripe rules apply.
- How can I tell whether EMV contactless was used?
An easy way to tell if you have Apple Pay is to pay with a Visa or MC while in airplane mode. Wallet will then show a transaction amount next to "Payment" for the card that was used. Alternatively, EMV-related information will typically print on the receipt (AID, etc.) if EMV contactless was used.
(Non-exhaustive) list of EMV contactless supporting merchants in the US:
- 7-Eleven
- 99 Ranch
- Albertsons (Safeway, Vons, Pak N Save, Jewel, Acme, Shaws, Star, Carrs, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Haggen, Eagle, Lucky UT/SoCal)
- Apple Store*†
- Athleta
- Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
- Banana Republic
- Costco Wholesale
- CVS
- DuaneReade*
- El Pollo Loco
- EG Group US (Quik Stop, Kwik Shop, Tom Thumb, Turkey Hill) Note: cashier must press "Electronic Payment" to activate NFC
- Five Below*
- Five Guys
- GAP
- Grocery Outlet*
- Harmon's Grocery
- H&M*
- Jolibee
- Kohl's*
- Lush Cosmetics*
- Maverik
- McDonald's*
- Meijer
- Old Navy
- Panera Bread
- PetSmart
- Ray's Food Place
- Round Table Pizza
- Royal Farms
- Red Ribbon Bakeshop
- Sheetz
- Sherm's Thunderbird Discount Markets Inc.*
- Sprouts
- Staples*
- Starbucks*
- Subway
- Walgreens*
- Weis Markets
- All businesses that use Square and support contactless*
- All businesses that use Clover and support EMV†**
- All businesses that use First Data standalone terminals (e.g. FD100+FD35, FD130) with EMV enabled**
* CDCVM support confirmed
** CDCVM support depends on store/restaurant
† CDCVM supported in MSD mode
USA contactless credit/debit/transit (2017 - 2021)
#31
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,060
That's right. It's like using the real card. (A few merchants couldn't be convinced, however.) I can post some photos when I get back home in a little bit. They all came through as contactless EMV.
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
#36
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
I think that scanner in the Ralphs is just the hand held for scanning large items in the customer's cart.
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
The target icon also seems to be indicating the position to hold whatever's being scanned, probably to help people who aren't employees and to make the line move faster.
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
I wanted to use $35 of Samsung Rewards Visa bucks, so today I went to Super Supplements, an acquired subsidiary of Vitamin Shoppe, making a $38 purchase.
I scanned the MSD slot as usual with my phone, but the system rejected the transaction using the last 4 digits as debit PIN. Clerk was totally awed by my using the phone, so suggested I try again pushing green for credit signature instead of the finicky PIN. Success! We were both stoked!
I went to swipe my IHG MC for the remaining $3 when she announced, "Oh no! Chip cards must be inserted!" I explained that the last time I'd been in and asked I was told they "had no idea" when the slot would be activated. She replied that only very recently they were given one day's notice.
POS appeared to be similar to Safeway's EMV set up, except that the fixed "privacy screen" over the PIN pad made things a bit cramped and awkward there.
A bit bummed to discover that paying with the Samsung Rewards Visa card does NOT "count" for transaction credit itself.
I scanned the MSD slot as usual with my phone, but the system rejected the transaction using the last 4 digits as debit PIN. Clerk was totally awed by my using the phone, so suggested I try again pushing green for credit signature instead of the finicky PIN. Success! We were both stoked!
I went to swipe my IHG MC for the remaining $3 when she announced, "Oh no! Chip cards must be inserted!" I explained that the last time I'd been in and asked I was told they "had no idea" when the slot would be activated. She replied that only very recently they were given one day's notice.
POS appeared to be similar to Safeway's EMV set up, except that the fixed "privacy screen" over the PIN pad made things a bit cramped and awkward there.
A bit bummed to discover that paying with the Samsung Rewards Visa card does NOT "count" for transaction credit itself.
Last edited by Points Scrounger; Jan 2, 2017 at 11:03 pm Reason: Typo
#40
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,592
I wanted to use $35 of Samsung Rewards Visa bucks, so today I went to Super Supplements, an acquired subsidiary of Vitamin Shoppe, making a $38 purchase.
I scanned the MSD slot as usual with my phone, but the system rejected the transaction using the last 4 digits as debit PIN. Clerk was totally awed by my using the phone, so suggested I try again pushing green for credit signature instead of the finicky PIN. Success! We were both stoked!
I went to swipe my IHG MC for the remaining $3 when she announced, "Oh no! Chip cards must be inserted!" I explained that the last time I'd been in and asked I was told they "had no idea" when the slot would be activated. She replied that only very recently they were given one day's notice.
POS appeared to be similar to Safeway's EMV set up, except that the fixed "privacy screen" over the PIN pad made things a bit cramped and awkward there.
A bit bummed to discover that paying with the Samsung Rewards Visa card does NOT "count" for transaction credit itself.
I scanned the MSD slot as usual with my phone, but the system rejected the transaction using the last 4 digits as debit PIN. Clerk was totally awed by my using the phone, so suggested I try again pushing green for credit signature instead of the finicky PIN. Success! We were both stoked!
I went to swipe my IHG MC for the remaining $3 when she announced, "Oh no! Chip cards must be inserted!" I explained that the last time I'd been in and asked I was told they "had no idea" when the slot would be activated. She replied that only very recently they were given one day's notice.
POS appeared to be similar to Safeway's EMV set up, except that the fixed "privacy screen" over the PIN pad made things a bit cramped and awkward there.
A bit bummed to discover that paying with the Samsung Rewards Visa card does NOT "count" for transaction credit itself.
I just used a Mastercard gift card at Sears today and it automatically processed as credit with no PIN prompt. I think prepaid cards are a bit tricky with debit.
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Correct, no sign of NFC. Instructions for using the Samsung Card state that last four digits are "default PIN" - clerk said her error message read "Unknown Bank"!
#44
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,592
The Toyota dealership by my house just set up FD35s at all checkouts (previously only one had it). EMV enabled now and they're all trained on Apple Pay. No CDCVM, unfortunately.