depending on the country, sometimes you have to enter a PIN if transaction is over a certain limit (or count)

eg UK is £100 (while apple pay/google pay can go over limit, since you have to authenticate PIN/fingerprint)
https://www.theguardian.com/money/20...00-from-friday

in some countries: you might be forced to enter your PIN when using contactless 5 times in a row
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...es-why-1336181


but of course, depending on the location, holding an iPhone out may be riskier than holding a credit card (someone snatching off your iPhone)




that said, my recent trips (pre-covid) in europe, contactless definitely helps, no signature/PIN typically
(2015- using a chip&signature card at Tesco self checkout = finding the store-attendant to sign the paper receipt

2019- tap&pay, no issues)