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 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)
Oct 25, 2017, 11:12 am
#2446
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
Eh, for 4x UR (3x normally + 1x for mobile wallet use) I'll put up with it. A physical contactless card would likely be faster though.
Oct 25, 2017, 12:42 pm
#2447
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
I got a "Seek Assistance" error on one reader today while tapping out, but another worked okay. I'm not sure if that's a fluke or if I should be concerned.
Also, I wonder if the refund issue means that we should still recommend physical contactless cards/Oyster over AP for Americans when possible.
Also, I wonder if the refund issue means that we should still recommend physical contactless cards/Oyster over AP for Americans when possible.
- Oyster cards with a Travelcard
- Oyster PAYG
- Contactless (card) PAYG
- Contactless (mobile) PAYG
Dunno why this is, but it definitely seems to be the case...
Oct 25, 2017, 5:02 pm
#2448
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: If only I knew
Programs: Several of my own making in which I was recently fast-tracked to super-duper-über-elite status
Posts: 1,074
I got a "Seek Assistance" error on one reader today while tapping out, but another worked okay. I'm not sure if that's a fluke or if I should be concerned.
Also, I wonder if the refund issue means that we should still recommend physical contactless cards/Oyster over AP for Americans when possible.
Also, I wonder if the refund issue means that we should still recommend physical contactless cards/Oyster over AP for Americans when possible.
It also will recognize different physical contactless cards with the same account number as separate cards. So my online account shows ApplePay, my physical card, and my wife's physical card as separate cards.
Oct 25, 2017, 5:44 pm
#2449
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: *G^2, Bonvoyed, NEXUS
Posts: 3,515
Originally Posted by tmiw
A physical contactless card would likely be faster though.
TfL can't seem to make the link to Chase Visa cards right now.
Oct 25, 2017, 7:02 pm
#2450
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
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Posts: 15,507
Do other Visa cards link without problems?
Oct 25, 2017, 7:59 pm
#2451
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: If only I knew
Programs: Several of my own making in which I was recently fast-tracked to super-duper-über-elite status
Posts: 1,074
Oct 26, 2017, 1:26 am
#2453
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Location: San Diego, CA
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Looks like last night's charge did show the authorization time and not the last tap time. I really wish Chase was more clear as to whether a particular charge happened in the AM or PM.
Oct 26, 2017, 3:49 am
#2454
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 238
You can set up a tfl contactless account online and register the physical card. The system recognizes ApplePay (and I assume AndroidPay) as a contactless card and tracks it to the physical card you've registered. You can then apply for refunds online, which get credited back to the card. I got a couple of refunds that way on my last trip to the UK. Very easy to do.
It also will recognize different physical contactless cards with the same account number as separate cards. So my online account shows ApplePay, my physical card, and my wife's physical card as separate cards.
It also will recognize different physical contactless cards with the same account number as separate cards. So my online account shows ApplePay, my physical card, and my wife's physical card as separate cards.
Oct 26, 2017, 5:36 am
#2455
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
Weirdly, Chase Pay will show up on statements (vs. just the contactless symbol for other mobile wallet transactions). Guess it shows how much effort they're willing to put into it.
Oct 26, 2017, 7:55 am
#2456
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: *G^2, Bonvoyed, NEXUS
Posts: 3,515
Oct 26, 2017, 4:40 pm
#2457
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: If only I knew
Programs: Several of my own making in which I was recently fast-tracked to super-duper-über-elite status
Posts: 1,074
Oct 27, 2017, 3:35 am
#2458
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 238
At least TFL is offering refunds. Imagine if they basically said no refunds if we can't see your trip, it would be easy money for them especially on foreign visitors who don't know much about the system.
Oct 27, 2017, 11:27 am
#2459
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I ate dinner tonight at a place that uses Clover (I didn't think it was that popular in the UK, but there you go). The server even brought over the Clover Mobile for payment, too, and the receipt said "device verified" on it. 
BTW, I think nearly every receipt I've managed to get so far this trip has some form of "device verified" on it. ^ Unfortunately, a significant number of places don't give you a receipt for contactless, so I can't 100% for sure say that every store supports CDCVM.
BTW, I think nearly every receipt I've managed to get so far this trip has some form of "device verified" on it. ^ Unfortunately, a significant number of places don't give you a receipt for contactless, so I can't 100% for sure say that every store supports CDCVM.
Oct 27, 2017, 11:32 am
#2460
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
I ate dinner tonight at a place that uses Clover (I didn't think it was that popular in the UK, but there you go). The server even brought over the Clover Mobile for payment, too, and the receipt said "device verified" on it.
BTW, I think nearly every receipt I've managed to get so far this trip has some form of "device verified" on it. ^ Unfortunately, a significant number of places don't give you a receipt for contactless, so I can't 100% for sure say that every store supports CDCVM.
BTW, I think nearly every receipt I've managed to get so far this trip has some form of "device verified" on it. ^ Unfortunately, a significant number of places don't give you a receipt for contactless, so I can't 100% for sure say that every store supports CDCVM.