Last edit by: storewanderer
Older (archived) threads: 2014-16
- - - - - -
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)
#5506
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,027
I'll report back once I receive the new CSR, but my Chase Freedom Unlimited had its original expiration date on the contactless version. Upon second look, the Chase Freedom did get a new expiration date, but the Freedom Unlimited is definitely the old one. (Even on the new contactless version the card expires next year.)
#5507
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 53
So it seems they might be getting rid of Circle K Shell altogether and I wonder if it has to do with the lack of EMV at those locations? While unbranded Circle K now has EMV enabled and so do Phillips 66/Conoco Circle K's as well. I guess if it starts happening in AZ then they must be getting rid of Shell for sure. Hmmm here it is happening in FL: https://www.tampabay.com/news/busine...ons-_167658781 interesting..
#5509
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,486
So, in Safeway's New England division, the EMV update was rolled out to all stores today instead of a staggered rollout. Contactless payments run as EMV don't even show a cash back prompt if everything is working properly. I haven't seen any external changes to any of the screens or processing time.
#5510
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,617
Maybe. The dots used to show sometimes, and even if the dots disappeared, NFC was still on. Or, they'd show on the loyalty card phone number screen and then disappear after moving on from that screen. The damn update broke contactless again. I had to go in and reset an entire store today. My unfortunate colleagues were all out rebooting pin pads today too. To add insult to injury, a soft reset didn't work for most of them, so they required a cold boot to fix. The strange thing is, this problem just appeared. It didn't appear on the roll-out day, it affects all pin pads in the store, and seems to occur at random since the support tickets are sporadic.
#5511
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,742
I have both a metal and plastic CSR on the same account. Hopefully when they replace mine it'll be the plastic. Has anyone gotten a plastic contactless CSR yet?
#5512
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,486
Is there any documentation from AmEx talking about needing to do that?
#5513
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,486
Weirdly, this advertising on a Chase ATM makes it seem like the CFU has the contactless symbol on the front when it's actually on the back (at least on mine):
BTW the ATMs still only accept Chase debit cards via contactless.
BTW the ATMs still only accept Chase debit cards via contactless.
#5514
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,742
If there is, I didn't see it or perhaps just threw it out when I got the new card. My comment is just based IME...I've accidentally tried it backwards a few times and consistently had to flip it around for it to work.
#5515
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NUE
Programs: BAEC Silver, FB Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, SK Diamond, ITA Volare Club Executive, TK Elite
Posts: 365
According to Apple Maps Ralphs accept Apple Pay. So I went to one of their stores next to the LAX but without luck. They don't even had a contactless reader.
#5517
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,486
Looks like Commerce Bank is next to introduce contactless cards: https://apnews.com/38aa88742bd346b4befb4661135d3ae5
Also, the name sounds familiar but I'm not sure where from.
Also, the name sounds familiar but I'm not sure where from.
#5518
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,486
Per Apple's earnings report today, there were 1.8 billion Apple Pay transactions in the previous quarter. Even assuming a pessimistic 10% or so of the total, that's still 2 million transactions per day in the US. ^
It would be nice to get a more detailed usage breakdown (like by state/metro or something) but I doubt Apple would release those numbers.
It would be nice to get a more detailed usage breakdown (like by state/metro or something) but I doubt Apple would release those numbers.
#5519
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SAN
Programs: UA
Posts: 204
What happens if you have a Chase debit card that doesn't have contactless in it? Not good....
#5520
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,486
Maybe there was a last minute design change before the card went to print, but the artwork for the ATM screens wasn't updated. Or perhaps they're doing that to get you to think about using it.
What happens if you have a Chase debit card that doesn't have contactless in it? Not good....
What happens if you have a Chase debit card that doesn't have contactless in it? Not good....