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)
#2401
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
I just noticed the 7-Eleven (US) Rewards App now has a "Save to Android Pay" option in their App.
It would appear based on this that actual Contactless acceptance is coming back to 7-Eleven. There is one location I have visited in Sparks, NV where Contactless is ENabled, Chip has been DISabled (?????), but the Contactless does not process and shows a Decline then on the receipt shows "unknown card," only Swipe processes. What is the point of having their loyalty in Android Pay, if you still have to dig out cash or a physical card to run the transaction?
It would appear based on this that actual Contactless acceptance is coming back to 7-Eleven. There is one location I have visited in Sparks, NV where Contactless is ENabled, Chip has been DISabled (?????), but the Contactless does not process and shows a Decline then on the receipt shows "unknown card," only Swipe processes. What is the point of having their loyalty in Android Pay, if you still have to dig out cash or a physical card to run the transaction?
#2402
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I don't know. The vast majority of my transactions are Contactless. Aside from Kroger and certain restaurants, I can pretty much use Tap everywhere I go now, including some well priced gas pumps in locations I actually visit, thanks to Maverik. Either the Tap American Express Card or using various Chase cards via my phone.
If Chase would issue me physical Contactless Cards, I would not use the app on my phone I don't think. But I do find the phone tap pay App to be easier than inserting a Chip card and waiting.
If Chase would issue me physical Contactless Cards, I would not use the app on my phone I don't think. But I do find the phone tap pay App to be easier than inserting a Chip card and waiting.
Unfortunately, the fact that I have had those types of issues means that the US has a bit to go before contactless becomes close to universally accepted. And even then, I'm not sure that'll happen in the short to medium term. I wonder if restaurants will simply partner with OpenTable and similar providers to offer pay at the table/mobile payment support as opposed to adopting traditional wireless terminals or having people pay at the front.
As for contactless vs. chip, is the former still preferable at places like Kroger that support Quick Chip? I'm not sure there would be that much of a difference for most people, to be honest.
#2403
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Unfortunately, I can think of a couple of Indian restaurants I have been to where the EMV is fixed in such a way that the clerk would have to actually vacate her seat, stand aside and have me sit in her chair to enter a PIN. In other words, testing it would create a scene I'd rather avoid. Curious though I am to confirm that if they wish to, restaurants can disable PIN altogether.
#2404
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,722
I just noticed the 7-Eleven (US) Rewards App now has a "Save to Android Pay" option in their App.
It would appear based on this that actual Contactless acceptance is coming back to 7-Eleven. There is one location I have visited in Sparks, NV where Contactless is ENabled, Chip has been DISabled (?????), but the Contactless does not process and shows a Decline then on the receipt shows "unknown card," only Swipe processes. What is the point of having their loyalty in Android Pay, if you still have to dig out cash or a physical card to run the transaction?
It would appear based on this that actual Contactless acceptance is coming back to 7-Eleven. There is one location I have visited in Sparks, NV where Contactless is ENabled, Chip has been DISabled (?????), but the Contactless does not process and shows a Decline then on the receipt shows "unknown card," only Swipe processes. What is the point of having their loyalty in Android Pay, if you still have to dig out cash or a physical card to run the transaction?
#2405
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
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Unfortunately, I can think of a couple of Indian restaurants I have been to where the EMV is fixed in such a way that the clerk would have to actually vacate her seat, stand aside and have me sit in her chair to enter a PIN. In other words, testing it would create a scene I'd rather avoid. Curious though I am to confirm that if they wish to, restaurants can disable PIN altogether.
That said, I think the restaurants that moved to EMV later are more likely to have PIN disabled than the ones that adopted it early on, mainly because the rules around tip adjust are more clear now.
#2406
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Arco is beginning to roll out MX915s now (attached). Unfortunately, contactless didn't work even after the cashier pushed something on her end. I'm not sure if a future update's required to re-enable it or not.
Also, a slightly under $25 purchase at PetSmart today didn't require signature. Either they have a signature waiver now or CDCVM's finally working. ^
Also, a slightly under $25 purchase at PetSmart today didn't require signature. Either they have a signature waiver now or CDCVM's finally working. ^
#2407
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
Arco is beginning to roll out MX915s now (attached). Unfortunately, contactless didn't work even after the cashier pushed something on her end. I'm not sure if a future update's required to re-enable it or not.
Also, a slightly under $25 purchase at PetSmart today didn't require signature. Either they have a signature waiver now or CDCVM's finally working. ^
Also, a slightly under $25 purchase at PetSmart today didn't require signature. Either they have a signature waiver now or CDCVM's finally working. ^
#2408
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The software should still be able to see the external and internal contactless as one and the same, right? It'd be weird IMO to have to modify it just because they switched to another Verifone model.
#2409
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
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Is there actually any difference in the hardware? I thought it was purely cosmetic.
#2410
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SAN
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The Capital One Savor card (which replaces the Premier Dining Rewards card) has contactless.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/capit...130000811.html
The card design looks like the new Quicksilver, but with a copper color.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/capit...130000811.html
The card design looks like the new Quicksilver, but with a copper color.
#2411
Join Date: Jun 2012
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#2412
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The Capital One Savor card (which replaces the Premier Dining Rewards card) has contactless.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/capit...130000811.html
The card design looks like the new Quicksilver, but with a copper color.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/capit...130000811.html
The card design looks like the new Quicksilver, but with a copper color.
#2413
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According to this article, Saks Fifth Avenue and Dick's Sporting Goods now have contactless or are rolling it out. No idea how either of them have it set up, however.