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)
Dec 3, 2017, 12:04 pm
#2881
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
Getting irritated at the messed-up implementation of contactless in the US....
Whereas my Paypal Debit Mastercard is the most favourable contactless outside the US, a lot of places in the US don't like it.
"Card Read Error"......"Card not accepted" ......"Card not read, try again" happens more often than not.
The swipe and insert works fine. But I guess the MSD implementation used in the US doesn't take well to a debit MC.
Whereas my Paypal Debit Mastercard is the most favourable contactless outside the US, a lot of places in the US don't like it.
"Card Read Error"......"Card not accepted" ......"Card not read, try again" happens more often than not.
The swipe and insert works fine. But I guess the MSD implementation used in the US doesn't take well to a debit MC.
Walgreens- card read error, insert card (EMV Contactless)
McDonalds- card read error, insert card (EMV Contactless)
Carls Jr. with Ingenico reader attached to register - gives odd Express Pay not supported error (MSD Contactless merchant)
Maverik gas pump with Verifone contactless attachment that sticks out of pump like what Arco uses (MSD Contactless merchant) - what is odd is at the older Maverik that has the Contactless thing inside the pump it works fine.
Works fine everywhere else... which is the vast majority of places.
Dec 3, 2017, 12:10 pm
#2882
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
Dec 3, 2017, 1:14 pm
#2883
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
Getting irritated at the messed-up implementation of contactless in the US....
Whereas my Paypal Debit Mastercard is the most favourable contactless outside the US, a lot of places in the US don't like it.
"Card Read Error"......"Card not accepted" ......"Card not read, try again" happens more often than not.
The swipe and insert works fine. But I guess the MSD implementation used in the US doesn't take well to a debit MC.
Whereas my Paypal Debit Mastercard is the most favourable contactless outside the US, a lot of places in the US don't like it.
"Card Read Error"......"Card not accepted" ......"Card not read, try again" happens more often than not.
The swipe and insert works fine. But I guess the MSD implementation used in the US doesn't take well to a debit MC.
Dec 3, 2017, 1:35 pm
#2884
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,592
Getting irritated at the messed-up implementation of contactless in the US....
Whereas my Paypal Debit Mastercard is the most favourable contactless outside the US, a lot of places in the US don't like it.
"Card Read Error"......"Card not accepted" ......"Card not read, try again" happens more often than not.
The swipe and insert works fine. But I guess the MSD implementation used in the US doesn't take well to a debit MC.
Whereas my Paypal Debit Mastercard is the most favourable contactless outside the US, a lot of places in the US don't like it.
"Card Read Error"......"Card not accepted" ......"Card not read, try again" happens more often than not.
The swipe and insert works fine. But I guess the MSD implementation used in the US doesn't take well to a debit MC.
Dec 3, 2017, 1:39 pm
#2885
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
I wonder if Visa is better at making sure merchants fix their systems as my Visa cards in AP don't seem to have issues nearly as often.
Dec 3, 2017, 1:40 pm
#2886
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,592
I have some problems lately with my Contactless American Express as well. What is odd is these are some places with EMV Contactless and it does not work:
Walgreens- card read error, insert card (EMV Contactless)
McDonalds- card read error, insert card (EMV Contactless)
Carls Jr. with Ingenico reader attached to register - gives odd Express Pay not supported error (MSD Contactless merchant)
Maverik gas pump with Verifone contactless attachment that sticks out of pump like what Arco uses (MSD Contactless merchant) - what is odd is at the older Maverik that has the Contactless thing inside the pump it works fine.
Works fine everywhere else... which is the vast majority of places.
Walgreens- card read error, insert card (EMV Contactless)
McDonalds- card read error, insert card (EMV Contactless)
Carls Jr. with Ingenico reader attached to register - gives odd Express Pay not supported error (MSD Contactless merchant)
Maverik gas pump with Verifone contactless attachment that sticks out of pump like what Arco uses (MSD Contactless merchant) - what is odd is at the older Maverik that has the Contactless thing inside the pump it works fine.
Works fine everywhere else... which is the vast majority of places.
Dec 3, 2017, 1:41 pm
#2887
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,592
I think it could also be something debit-specific. Most of my Apple Pay issues are with debit and prepaid cards, and at merchants who auto-select the common AID.
I don't have a Mastercard or Discover credit card to test, unfortunately.
(Edited for detail.)
Last edited by emmanuel_t; Dec 3, 2017 at 1:57 pm
Dec 3, 2017, 1:43 pm
#2888
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
Dec 3, 2017, 2:04 pm
#2889
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
The car wash I took my car to today switched from a FD35 to a Clover Mini with some sort of keypad. First time I've ever seen that anywhere. Also, why not just switch to Clover Station instead of using a separate cash register?
At least Apple Pay worked okay and I didn't have to walk them through how to run it.
At least Apple Pay worked okay and I didn't have to walk them through how to run it.
Dec 3, 2017, 2:13 pm
#2890
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,592
The car wash I took my car to today switched from a FD35 to a Clover Mini with some sort of keypad. First time I've ever seen that anywhere. Also, why not just switch to Clover Station instead of using a separate cash register?
At least Apple Pay worked okay and I didn't have to walk them through how to run it.
At least Apple Pay worked okay and I didn't have to walk them through how to run it.
However, at this salon nearby, I actually have to say I'm using Apple Pay before they press the button and hold the FD40 for me. If I say credit and wait to tap, they get confused.
On a side note, have you noticed any Square merchants regressing to swipe-only? It's starting to be a problem here.
Dec 3, 2017, 5:52 pm
#2891
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Skymiles
Posts: 3,251
In my experience, Clover merchants that actually have contactless tend to be more open to its usage. There isn't much friction either. Their merchant services company must be doing a good job.
However, at this salon nearby, I actually have to say I'm using Apple Pay before they press the button and hold the FD40 for me. If I say credit and wait to tap, they get confused.
On a side note, have you noticed any Square merchants regressing to swipe-only? It's starting to be a problem here.
However, at this salon nearby, I actually have to say I'm using Apple Pay before they press the button and hold the FD40 for me. If I say credit and wait to tap, they get confused.
On a side note, have you noticed any Square merchants regressing to swipe-only? It's starting to be a problem here.
Dec 3, 2017, 6:00 pm
#2892
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
Square also appears to block those prepaid Visa/MC/Amex gift cards, so people can't use them to pay for a legitimate transaction at a restaurant that uses Square.
Dec 3, 2017, 7:05 pm
#2894
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
In my experience, Clover merchants that actually have contactless tend to be more open to its usage. There isn't much friction either. Their merchant services company must be doing a good job.
However, at this salon nearby, I actually have to say I'm using Apple Pay before they press the button and hold the FD40 for me. If I say credit and wait to tap, they get confused.
On a side note, have you noticed any Square merchants regressing to swipe-only? It's starting to be a problem here.
However, at this salon nearby, I actually have to say I'm using Apple Pay before they press the button and hold the FD40 for me. If I say credit and wait to tap, they get confused.
On a side note, have you noticed any Square merchants regressing to swipe-only? It's starting to be a problem here.
As for Square, I've noticed a lot of hiding the reader from customers (as is also sadly typical with non-Square merchants), but not much in the way of going away from using it altogether.