Originally Posted by HotelHacker

I'm going to say yes, you do need to use the contact interface first. I tested with the cardpeek software to see what the card did and then decided to go to the McDonald's drive thru. They did a contact transaction and when I came back I tested it again. Cardpeek recognized it as being a Mastercard after the McD's transaction, and in looking at the data I do see why they want the contact used first. If the contactless was enabled beforehand you could analyze someone's credit card while still inside the sealed envelope. A good idea on their part, but poor communication means that some people will be stumped when they get their new card, think they'll try it out right away, only to find it doesn't work.