Jan 16, 2017, 6:55 am
Last edit by: storewanderer
Older (archived) threads: 2014-16
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- 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)
Jun 13, 2018, 4:03 pm
#4171
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,722
So my local Harbor Freight has just opened today and there is no nfc enabled there yet so its odd how the older locations have it, so maybe soon? Same system just no dots on the screen or any response from a tap of a card.
I also noticed that Dollar Tree is upgrading to MX915's at all locations even though it only says "Insert or Swipe Card" so still no contactless yet but there is only one payment method supported on MX915's that isn't on MX860's without the addon and that is contactless so maybe eventually they will enable it once some certs come through?
I also noticed that Dollar Tree is upgrading to MX915's at all locations even though it only says "Insert or Swipe Card" so still no contactless yet but there is only one payment method supported on MX915's that isn't on MX860's without the addon and that is contactless so maybe eventually they will enable it once some certs come through?
Jun 13, 2018, 4:23 pm
#4172
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
Amex contactless is a hot mess on stand-alone terminals right now. Though it does work great on something like an MX915/925
Jun 13, 2018, 6:37 pm
#4173
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I also noticed that Dollar Tree is upgrading to MX915's at all locations even though it only says "Insert or Swipe Card" so still no contactless yet but there is only one payment method supported on MX915's that isn't on MX860's without the addon and that is contactless so maybe eventually they will enable it once some certs come through?
Has it gotten worse recently? I haven't tried to use my physical SPG card in a while.
Jun 13, 2018, 9:48 pm
#4174
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 266
To update, the first attempt at Walmart failed for me today but trying the "slowly bring the watch to the terminal" route posted on reddit worked.
Also, I went to a second Revel merchant with an iPP350 after my previous post and couldn't get Samsung Pay to work at all. I ultimately had to insert my card. (The first one didn't have EMV enabled and didn't seem to have any processor branding on the display, while the second one had FreedomPay branding. I don't know if this matters though.)
Also, I went to a second Revel merchant with an iPP350 after my previous post and couldn't get Samsung Pay to work at all. I ultimately had to insert my card. (The first one didn't have EMV enabled and didn't seem to have any processor branding on the display, while the second one had FreedomPay branding. I don't know if this matters though.)
I haven't seen a IPP350 in awhile but it seems to be a pita to use for anything besides NFC.
Jun 13, 2018, 10:47 pm
#4175
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Anyway, I haven't scanned my card with cardpeek yet but I'm fairly sure Sprouts doesn't do Quick Chip; the PIN prompt didn't appear tonight until after the transaction was totaled and ARC on the receipt is 00. Is it possible that they're still doing MSD contactless despite what it says on the receipt? I ask because it's not unheard of for terminals to show the AID yet not actually run contactless in EMV mode (AmEx with First Data terminals a few years ago being a big example of this).
Jun 13, 2018, 11:06 pm
#4176
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,722
EMV works okay on them too, but yeah.
Anyway, I haven't scanned my card with cardpeek yet but I'm fairly sure Sprouts doesn't do Quick Chip; the PIN prompt didn't appear tonight until after the transaction was totaled and ARC on the receipt is 00. Is it possible that they're still doing MSD contactless despite what it says on the receipt? I ask because it's not unheard of for terminals to show the AID yet not actually run contactless in EMV mode (AmEx with First Data terminals a few years ago being a big example of this).
Anyway, I haven't scanned my card with cardpeek yet but I'm fairly sure Sprouts doesn't do Quick Chip; the PIN prompt didn't appear tonight until after the transaction was totaled and ARC on the receipt is 00. Is it possible that they're still doing MSD contactless despite what it says on the receipt? I ask because it's not unheard of for terminals to show the AID yet not actually run contactless in EMV mode (AmEx with First Data terminals a few years ago being a big example of this).
Jun 13, 2018, 11:15 pm
#4177
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There is also an IAD and TC(ARQC?) in addition to the AID and if it was MSD it would be like all the other NCR places that show RXXX such as Trader Joe's. I know for a fact its EMV contactless because my receipt from the Shop N Save EMV contactless test location looks just like the Sprouts one but I went to another Shop N Save and it said RXXX like most NCR places.
Jun 14, 2018, 12:15 am
#4178
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BTW, any idea what Subway is using for their order kiosks?
Jun 14, 2018, 11:27 am
#4180
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Eh, it's no different from how you insert your card at a lot of gas stations. In fact, it might be less awkward than inserting at the bottom.
BTW I finally got around to reading my card in cardpeek and it turns out that Sprouts does use Quick Chip after all (cryptogram amount: $51.00). I guess we can't rely on ARCs on receipts to determine QC after all.
This also possibly means that Quick Contactless is being used but an iPhone in airplane mode will probably be needed to confirm.EDIT: additionally, it's still a bit of a waste to have QC when you still have to keep the card in for the entire transaction.
Last edited by tmiw; Jun 14, 2018 at 11:32 am
Jun 14, 2018, 2:36 pm
#4181
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
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That credit card reader almost looks like the type that's used on vending machines.
Jun 14, 2018, 2:42 pm
#4182
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Jun 15, 2018, 6:55 am
#4183
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 266
New Speedway opened by me. NFC not activated though. The light was blinking though.
Jun 15, 2018, 10:38 am
#4184
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Samsung Pay randomly deleted all of my cards this morning right when I was going to use it. 
Used Google Pay to complete the transaction and then re-added only one of the cards for the time being. I'm hoping this is just a fluke because re-adding every couple of weeks will get old quickly.
Used Google Pay to complete the transaction and then re-added only one of the cards for the time being. I'm hoping this is just a fluke because re-adding every couple of weeks will get old quickly.
Jun 15, 2018, 3:36 pm
#4185
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
Samsung Pay randomly deleted all of my cards this morning right when I was going to use it. Used Google Pay to complete the transaction and then re-added only one of the cards for the time being. I'm hoping this is just a fluke because re-adding every couple of weeks will get old quickly.
Used Google Pay to complete the transaction and then re-added only one of the cards for the time being. I'm hoping this is just a fluke because re-adding every couple of weeks will get old quickly.