Last edit by: storewanderer
Older (archived) threads: 2014-16
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FAQ- 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)
#6316
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Also, for those in NYC, apparently MTA is enabling contactless a couple of days ahead of schedule: https://www.reddit.com/r/nyc/comment...ntrance_at_ne/
#6317
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 201
Target totally wants people get some flavor of REDcard to avoid fees, but my spend doesn't quite justify it (I am using Apple Pay with the Target Circle stuff though - at least I'm getting a bit of cash back if they're data-mining me).
However, I'm not exactly sure how that happens as long as people can use their existing cards in said apps. Like, maybe they could reduce their per-transaction fees if they operate on a model similar to Starbucks', but it seems like those fees wouldn't be as big of a share of their card processing costs as the percentage portion.
#6318
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I wonder if it's a short-sighted thing from other retailers who just hear great things about the system Starbucks has and think they can duplicate it? Starbucks still needs the money to come into the account somehow (credit/debit card reloads or gift cards purchased there or elsewhere, typically with credit/debit cards), so I'm not sure if it's a way to cut down on interchange, but rather have all that stored cash on hand. With the new program changing things around, I've been using [s]Square Cash the Cash App card in Apple Pay for the $1 off at coffee shops, at least until that runs out.
Last edited by tmiw; May 28, 2019 at 11:19 am Reason: forgot ending ]
#6319
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Any recent reports on contactless at Shell? I tried tapping my CFU inside the other day and the terminal didn't recognize it at all. That particular location also had contactless readers on the pumps, albeit still disabled. Hopefully they're not another merchant that had to disable it to meet Visa's EMV contactless mandate.
#6320
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
Any recent reports on contactless at Shell? I tried tapping my CFU inside the other day and the terminal didn't recognize it at all. That particular location also had contactless readers on the pumps, albeit still disabled. Hopefully they're not another merchant that had to disable it to meet Visa's EMV contactless mandate.
#6322
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#6323
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Sorry if this has been covered and I missed it, but is CDCVM found much in Europe outside the UK?
Thanks!
Thanks!
#6324
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#6325
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Interestingly, I just saw this on the MC map tonight:
It doesn't look like there's a USPS location at that address, though--at least not one that's public.
It doesn't look like there's a USPS location at that address, though--at least not one that's public.
#6326
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 201
I think interchange does play into it, at least a little. Assuming they're paying x% + y cents per transaction, they'd only have to pay the latter once for a $25 reload compared to something like 10*y for 10 $2.50 drinks. I imagine the fixed per-transaction fee is a larger share of Starbucks' card processing considering the large number of low-value transactions.
Any recent reports on contactless at Shell? I tried tapping my CFU inside the other day and the terminal didn't recognize it at all. That particular location also had contactless readers on the pumps, albeit still disabled. Hopefully they're not another merchant that had to disable it to meet Visa's EMV contactless mandate.
#6327
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEL
Posts: 1,056
I was a little surprised that Google Pay worked to pay a hotel bill in Norway that was north of €1000, but it did.
CDCVM also worked in Belgium even before Google and Apple Pay officially existed here, which confused plenty of grocery clerks.
#6328
Join Date: Oct 2014
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It occurred to me that KFC is using some European software on their Ingenicos, judging by the “correct way” saying “Authorising”
also so I see it says Kentucky Fried Chicken now not just KFC
also so I see it says Kentucky Fried Chicken now not just KFC
#6329
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By "without PIN", do you mean contactless cards that don't have any ability to use online PIN when tapped, or all signature-preferring contactless cards? I'm wondering if my Diners Club MC (signature-preferring on contactless, PIN preferring when inserted) would cause the terminal to force insertion or if I'd be able to enter the PIN.
#6330
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
Unlike Chicago, new SEPTA key cards have an EMV chip!!