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 Annes 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)
#1
Original Poster
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USA contactless credit/debit/transit (2017 - 2021)
168 Market in San Gabriel now has Apple Pay. Maybe 99 Ranch (same company) is getting on board too.
Strange thing was my phone was like 4-5 inches away from the pad when it shook. And it went through.
Strange thing was my phone was like 4-5 inches away from the pad when it shook. And it went through.
#3
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I think there was a datapoint confirming that 99 Ranch has contactless as well. EMV also seems to be rolling out there too.
#4
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
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Is it possible that Ihop may do pay at the table, given Merchant Link, their processor, are a subset of Chase?
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
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I noticed Google added an "NFC mobile payments" tag to Google Maps.
#6
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Perhaps Chase's enforcement mechanism is that they don't allow tip adjust on EMV. That would allow IHOP to continue to have pay at the front, albeit with a tip prompt before insert/swipe/tap.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
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Hardly any of them around here have pay at the front, though, so perhaps they'll convert to that format?
#8
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I believe they'll currently take your card for you but you have the option to pay at the front too. It's been a while but IIRC the ones around here have a POS looking thing at the front with a side-mounted magstripe reader that's kinda difficult to see.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SAN
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I've been using Apple Pay at 99 Ranch for several months now, I think it's been working since they upgraded to the MX915s. I've also confirmed that as of last Thursday evening, EMV was not enabled at the new San Diego-Balboa location (it is enabled at the older San Diego location on Clairemont Mesa Blvd).
#12
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Maybe that's what I saw. Will definitely have to go to one again to confirm.
Still true as of today. The nice thing is that most of the food court at the new one seems to have gotten EMV from the start. Krispy Krunchy Chicken in particular handled PIN correctly by giving me the VX520. ^
I've been using Apple Pay at 99 Ranch for several months now, I think it's been working since they upgraded to the MX915s. I've also confirmed that as of last Thursday evening, EMV was not enabled at the new San Diego-Balboa location (it is enabled at the older San Diego location on Clairemont Mesa Blvd).
#13
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,592
I was at AutoZone eariler today. The bloke in front of me kept removing his card (Capital One Debit) too quickly and the machine eventually allowed fallback. The cashier stopped him just as he was about to swipe, and after resetting the PIN pad, was rather stern in instructing him to insert his card and leave it, select yes with the stylus, and enter his PIN.
On another note, contactless worked perfectly with American Express. The amount confirmation was annoying since they already have a line item display, but I digress.
On another note, contactless worked perfectly with American Express. The amount confirmation was annoying since they already have a line item display, but I digress.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2014
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I was at AutoZone eariler today. The bloke in front of me kept removing his card (Capital One Debit) too quickly and the machine eventually allowed fallback. The cashier stopped him just as he was about to swipe, and after resetting the PIN pad, was rather stern in instructing him to insert his card and leave it, select yes with the stylus, and enter his PIN.
On another note, contactless worked perfectly with American Express. The amount confirmation was annoying since they already have a line item display, but I digress.
On another note, contactless worked perfectly with American Express. The amount confirmation was annoying since they already have a line item display, but I digress.
#15
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