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)
Nov 22, 2017, 11:31 am
#2761
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,250
The sad thing is that I'm not sure that would be a guarantee. One small restaurant I went to for example had me tell the cashier at the front the tip amount before their VX520 would turn on for insert/tap. Fortunately in that instance the terminal was still reachable by customers.
Nov 22, 2017, 11:52 am
#2762
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
The separate contactless-only readers are being phased out. They used to be common in America (Jack In The Box, etc).
Nov 22, 2017, 12:27 pm
#2763
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: San Diego, CA
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I remember the same company that made Jamba Juice's readers having something new that's also contactless-only. I don't remember who makes them, though.
Nov 22, 2017, 12:37 pm
#2764
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,250
vivotech and IDTECH come to mind. I have never seen these readers anywhere else.
Nov 22, 2017, 1:23 pm
#2765
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Nov 22, 2017, 1:47 pm
#2766
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
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Posts: 6,056
Nov 22, 2017, 2:15 pm
#2768
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
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Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
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I dunno, there still seems to be a lot of the readers still for sale from various companies. I've also seen references to them supporting EMV contactless, though that could be false.
Nov 22, 2017, 2:21 pm
#2769
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: San Diego, CA
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Posts: 15,501
I went to a second Burger King that was on the MC map and contactless did work at that one.
There were also official looking cards in the chip slots this time, though I couldn't get photos.
The receipt unfortunately doesn't show that contactless was used.
There were also official looking cards in the chip slots this time, though I couldn't get photos.
The receipt unfortunately doesn't show that contactless was used.
Nov 22, 2017, 2:47 pm
#2770
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
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Posts: 6,056
Nov 22, 2017, 2:50 pm
#2771
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,250
I sure hope my local ones arrive soon. That literally now leaves Wendy’s and JITB
Nov 22, 2017, 4:04 pm
#2773
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
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Posts: 6,056
Nov 22, 2017, 4:07 pm
#2774
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Nov 22, 2017, 7:33 pm
#2775
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 266
Anyone having success with the Justice League promo in Android Pay? I've used Android Pay numerous times and I'm still stuck on 1.
