Jan 16, 2017, 6:55 am
Last edit by: storewanderer
Older (archived) threads: 2014-16
- - - - - -
- 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)
Oct 17, 2017, 11:38 am
#2326
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
Depending on the card, using Apple Pay might very well cost them more money. But that's mainly due to debit cards getting run over Visa/MC, not due to Apple Pay per se.
Oct 17, 2017, 2:03 pm
#2327
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
This particular Noodles and Company I'm currently at has EMV and contactless with MX915s. UI looks the same as CPK's. Contactless is also MSD only. (As some may recall, they had a data breach fairly recently.)
Oct 17, 2017, 2:19 pm
#2328
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,592
This is definitely not nationwide, and it hardly says anything negative about the US as a whole. I’d explain further, but this is a payments tech forum, not /r/politics.
Oct 17, 2017, 2:21 pm
#2329
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,592
(I don’t eat at Wendy’s though, so don’t quote me on that. The one I went to was just combined with a Tim Hortons.)
And their coffee isn’t bad for only a dollar (or less with coupons).
Last edited by emmanuel_t; Oct 17, 2017 at 8:01 pm Reason: typo
Oct 17, 2017, 8:01 pm
#2330
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,592
A few Safeway stores are now on the locator. 
Oct 18, 2017, 1:01 pm
#2331
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
Another business that I had to teach how to use their terminal: Church's Chicken. 
The worst part is that they actually had Apple Pay logos posted.
On that note, their VX520 had WorldPay branding but the display didn't mention anything about EMV being enabled. I thought all of their terminals were?
The worst part is that they actually had Apple Pay logos posted.On that note, their VX520 had WorldPay branding but the display didn't mention anything about EMV being enabled. I thought all of their terminals were?
Oct 18, 2017, 1:32 pm
#2332
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
Another business that I had to teach how to use their terminal: Church's Chicken. The worst part is that they actually had Apple Pay logos posted.
On that note, their VX520 had WorldPay branding but the display didn't mention anything about EMV being enabled. I thought all of their terminals were?
The worst part is that they actually had Apple Pay logos posted.On that note, their VX520 had WorldPay branding but the display didn't mention anything about EMV being enabled. I thought all of their terminals were?
In fact I did the Church’s deployment so this is sad. I put the Apple Pay stickers up too! You must have ran into my installation.
Oct 18, 2017, 2:52 pm
#2333
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: *G^2, Bonvoyed, NEXUS
Posts: 3,516
Oct 18, 2017, 3:05 pm
#2334
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
I'm surprised that they went with a standalone terminal instead of a MX915 or similar attached to a POS, actually. Especially since the terminal asked "credit/debit" after tapping.
Oct 18, 2017, 6:11 pm
#2335
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 266
I went to Family Dollar today and my MST came up on the receipt as Contactless.
Oct 18, 2017, 7:08 pm
#2336
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
Also, another potential reason why people don't use mobile wallets: https://consumerist.com/2017/10/17/w...r-samsung-pay/
Oct 18, 2017, 7:40 pm
#2338
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,669
I'd just walk away from such a place, and would also tell the proprietor why.
Oct 18, 2017, 7:43 pm
#2339
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
Not sure what else you'd be able to do. I'd rather see the owner punished by means of force. Chances are the proprietor doesn't care to what you have to say. You could always walk down to your local police precinct instead so they don't have to send someone out.
Oct 18, 2017, 7:45 pm
#2340
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
Filing a police report, on the other hand, seems excessive.