Using Apple Pay on the Tube
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
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Please note that if you link an American Express card to your Apple Pay account, online support, including journey history is not yet available in your online TfL account.
We expect this will be resolved soon. You will then be able to view your journey history dating back to when you first started using Apple Pay. You will be able to claim refunds for any incomplete journeys. In the meantime, you can claim by calling TfL Customer Services on 0343 222 1234 (TfL call charges)
If you want to claim a service delay refund for a journey you should call TfL Customer Services.
We expect this will be resolved soon. You will then be able to view your journey history dating back to when you first started using Apple Pay. You will be able to claim refunds for any incomplete journeys. In the meantime, you can claim by calling TfL Customer Services on 0343 222 1234 (TfL call charges)
If you want to claim a service delay refund for a journey you should call TfL Customer Services.
#47
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: London (LCY)
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https://discussions.apple.com/message/28669316
#48
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: London (LCY)
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Posts: 977
Is anyone else finding that TfL's yellow card readers often say "seek assistance" and then it works on the second or third attempt? What is causing this? I also used to have this problem when using physical contactless cards, but it seems to happen more often with Apple Pay.
#49
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
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I predicted this more than a month before it went live in the UK (to TfL and Amex), but nobody paid attention:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/28669316
https://discussions.apple.com/message/28669316
Is anyone else finding that TfL's yellow card readers often say "seek assistance" and then it works on the second or third attempt? What is causing this? I also used to have this problem when using physical contactless cards, but it seems to happen more often with Apple Pay.
#51
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
Did you try again immediately after the rejection? Not sure this makes for a good user experience but the one time I was rejected with a US-based card this worked for me. YMMV
#52
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: London
Posts: 1,117
From what I can gather in doing my own research on the topic, the reason for this is that the transactions are run "on-line" meaning it has to go get authorisation when you tap the reader. US-based cards have to get authorisation from the US (where the bank is), and that trip takes too long for the card reader and it times out.
I'd think more about TfL attempting an authorisation subsequent to a card being used, and then hotlisting the specific card from being used again if authorisation was rejected.
#53
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
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I am certain that contactless cards (or cards used by Apple Pay) are not authorised with your bank in the fraction of a second that validation takes place on a card reader.
I'd think more about TfL attempting an authorisation subsequent to a card being used, and then hotlisting the specific card from being used again if authorisation was rejected.
I'd think more about TfL attempting an authorisation subsequent to a card being used, and then hotlisting the specific card from being used again if authorisation was rejected.
#54
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
From what I can gather in doing my own research on the topic, the reason for this is that the transactions are run "on-line" meaning it has to go get authorisation when you tap the reader. US-based cards have to get authorisation from the US (where the bank is), and that trip takes too long for the card reader and it times out.
Did you try again immediately after the rejection? Not sure this makes for a good user experience but the one time I was rejected with a US-based card this worked for me. YMMV
Did you try again immediately after the rejection? Not sure this makes for a good user experience but the one time I was rejected with a US-based card this worked for me. YMMV
I haven't been charged incorrectly though.
#55
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Join Date: Feb 2009
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You need to hold the card on the reader for distinctly longer than with an Oyster card. Removing it will get an error if done too soon.
Authorizations of contactless cards on the Tube are not done online.
Authorizations of contactless cards on the Tube are not done online.
#56
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: If only I knew
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Just got back from a 10 day trip to London. I used ApplePay on the tube the entire time. Only hitch was trying to use a Citi Visa card--it wouldn't take, so I switched to USAA MC for the rest of the time.
Both daily capping and Mon-Sun capping were properly applied. I registered the physical card on the tfl website and was able to see my journey history.
Both daily capping and Mon-Sun capping were properly applied. I registered the physical card on the tfl website and was able to see my journey history.
#57
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
Just got back from a 10 day trip to London. I used ApplePay on the tube the entire time. Only hitch was trying to use a Citi Visa card--it wouldn't take, so I switched to USAA MC for the rest of the time.
Both daily capping and Mon-Sun capping were properly applied. I registered the physical card on the tfl website and was able to see my journey history.
Both daily capping and Mon-Sun capping were properly applied. I registered the physical card on the tfl website and was able to see my journey history.
#58
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: If only I knew
Programs: Several of my own making in which I was recently fast-tracked to super-duper-über-elite status
Posts: 1,074
It definitely seemed to work better than when I used it in April (before ApplePay was officially supported). Pretty much 100% once I switched to MC, and the few hiccups were my fault.
#59
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Executive Club
Posts: 999
I have not used Apple pay yet on the Tube, I am waiting for Barclaycard to sign up and Amex problems to be resolved.
I have been trying and finding retailers who support Apple Pay some of whom do not even realise they do. I guess it depends on the brand, version and type of equipment they use. In many cases I have presented my phone to the contactless terminal and successfully paid despite there being no signs for Apple Pay.
I have had various issues with Amex, much the same as I had when contactless first came out. I am not up to speed with the technical details but I believe Amex uses a slightly different system from Visa and Mastercard and seems to be last in the pecking order for full support by the technology. As it stands I know, McDonalds and Co-operative have trouble with Apple Pay Amex transactions but I am sure these issues will be resolved soon.
As for convenience, personally I think I would prefer to use my phone on the Tube over contactless. Like many, I have several contactless and an Oyster card in my Wallet which means that I need to take my card out before presenting it to the reader. My phone is often a lot more accessible.
My message to any impatient commuter behind me the first time I use it is, "leave 5 seconds earlier and don't blame me for your delay".
It is possible for merchants / retailers to configure Apple Pay to accept limitless transactions above £20 / £30 (due to the extra layer of authentication I don't see an issue with that) . I believe that Apple store and some others may already have done that.
I have been trying and finding retailers who support Apple Pay some of whom do not even realise they do. I guess it depends on the brand, version and type of equipment they use. In many cases I have presented my phone to the contactless terminal and successfully paid despite there being no signs for Apple Pay.
I have had various issues with Amex, much the same as I had when contactless first came out. I am not up to speed with the technical details but I believe Amex uses a slightly different system from Visa and Mastercard and seems to be last in the pecking order for full support by the technology. As it stands I know, McDonalds and Co-operative have trouble with Apple Pay Amex transactions but I am sure these issues will be resolved soon.
As for convenience, personally I think I would prefer to use my phone on the Tube over contactless. Like many, I have several contactless and an Oyster card in my Wallet which means that I need to take my card out before presenting it to the reader. My phone is often a lot more accessible.
My message to any impatient commuter behind me the first time I use it is, "leave 5 seconds earlier and don't blame me for your delay".
It is possible for merchants / retailers to configure Apple Pay to accept limitless transactions above £20 / £30 (due to the extra layer of authentication I don't see an issue with that) . I believe that Apple store and some others may already have done that.
#60
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Executive Club
Posts: 999
Regarding limitless Apple Pay transactions: http://contactless.life/2015/07/25/m...le-pay-limits/