topic Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet in Credit Cards

Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

wasCB14 — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 22:24:36 GMT

I bought a new semi-minimalist wallet last month and also discovered the iPhone card limit rose to 16 a few months ago. I'm trying to decide which cards to carry physically vs. just in my mobile wallet vs. keep mostly in the SD.

1. Lowes Amex AU. I don't go there very often, as Home Depot is closer and Ace sometimes has things neither HD not Lowes do. Has anyone been to a Lowes that didn't take contactless payments, either at general checkout at in some specialized department? I think my local one does. The discount is nice but everywhere else I'd favor the Business Platinum. I'd probably remember to take the physical card before going there to make a large ($1k+) purchase.

2. I've not used a debit card or ATM in ages. My Schwab debit card must have sat in my home safe for a long time since it has a 2025 expiration and I only actually activated it today. Have ATMs advanced to the point that if I have the Schwab app on my iPhone I don't need to carry a physical debit card? Maybe I should just carry it (or the BofA debit) when I travel to be safe?

3. Internationally, is offline backup PIN (like from Barclays) still occasionally relevant? Or have contactless payments made it obsolete? The pandemic has kept my travel in-state lately.

4. I use the Schwab and Business Amex Platinums, as well as Premium Rewards, to pay for United/other checked bag, Delta lounge guest, and other travel-related fees. Is there any use for the physical Delta Platinum if the flight and any associated fees are all going on my Schwab card?

5. Hotel points and certificates cover a lot of my stays with the major brands. If I make a hotel reservation through a hotel's app, and the app remembers my hotel cobrand card info, is there really a need for a physical card aside from something to charge any meals or incidentals to? When asked for a card for incidentals, I've never tried to provide a mobile wallet card. Might that work? Having had a hotel reject a card at check-in because it wasn't physically present, I know the physical card would be important if I was planning to charge a fair amount or get any sort of statement credit.

Thoughts?

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

imaximous — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 23:57:53 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
I bought a new semi-minimalist wallet last month and also discovered the iPhone card limit rose to 16 a few months ago. I'm trying to decide which cards to carry physically vs. just in my mobile wallet vs. keep mostly in the SD.

1. Lowes Amex AU. I don't go there very often, as Home Depot is closer and Ace sometimes has things neither HD not Lowes do. Has anyone been to a Lowes that didn't take contactless payments, either at general checkout at in some specialized department? I think my local one does. The discount is nice but everywhere else I'd favor the Business Platinum. I'd probably remember to take the physical card before going there to make a large ($1k+) purchase.

2. I've not used a debit card or ATM in ages. My Schwab debit card must have sat in my home safe for a long time since it has a 2025 expiration and I only actually activated it today. Have ATMs advanced to the point that if I have the Schwab app on my iPhone I don't need to carry a physical debit card? Maybe I should just carry it (or the BofA debit) when I travel to be safe?

3. Internationally, is offline backup PIN (like from Barclays) still occasionally relevant? Or have contactless payments made it obsolete? The pandemic has kept my travel in-state lately.

4. I use the Schwab and Business Amex Platinums, as well as Premium Rewards, to pay for United/other checked bag, Delta lounge guest, and other travel-related fees. Is there any use for the physical Delta Platinum if the flight and any associated fees are all going on my Schwab card?

5. Hotel points and certificates cover a lot of my stays with the major brands. If I make a hotel reservation through a hotel's app, and the app remembers my hotel cobrand card info, is there really a need for a physical card aside from something to charge any meals or incidentals to? When asked for a card for incidentals, I've never tried to provide a mobile wallet card. Might that work? Having had a hotel reject a card at check-in because it wasn't physically present, I know the physical card would be important if I was planning to charge a fair amount or get any sort of statement credit.

Thoughts?

I carry a slim wallet with 4 slots. When I travel, I have to swap some of the cards, but I always carry CSP for food and BoA PR for everything non-category. The other 2 spots change, but usually, I have my Citi Premier (gas/groceries), and right now, Venture X to hit the SUB. Otherwise, it'd be USB AR and Citi AA Exec.

On mobile wallet, I have all the cards I normally don't take with me, but may need for things like 5% bonus categories, Amex Offers, BoA or Chase offers. There are very few places I go to that don't take mobile pay. Even gas stations have apps or mobile pay at the pump.

I never carry a physical debit card except for international travel, but do have personal and business debit cards on my Apple Watch. I have to make deposits at ATMs when I hit the monthly mobile deposit limits.

1. I normally use my Lowe's card so I keep it in my truck all the time. I don't think Lowe's takes mobile pay, but I may be getting confused with Home Depot.

2. I do take one debit card when traveling abroad but not within the US.

3. The PIN issue is easily resolved by calling the banks and requesting PINs for purchases with your credit cards. It doesn't have to be Barclays only.

4. No idea... Don't use Delta or Amex Platinum for anything (only have an AU card for Centurion if needed)

5. Hotels vary. Some let you check in on the app, so you don't even have to go to the front desk. Some ask you for a card at check-in. Some take Mobile Pay, some insist on taking the physical card. I'd just carry the one you're planning to use when traveling.

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

simplynoir — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 00:32:18 GMT

1. Lowes accepts mobile pay or at least the self checkout kiosks do; not too sure about the regular checkouts if it matters. I went there last week to buy some compressed air cans to clean some electronics up that were dusty and was able to use Gold card via Samsung Pay there. Did take a few seconds to find the sweet spot though as a heads up

2. This depends on the ATM machine so YMMV. I usually take my Schwab debit wherever I go since I don't normally carry cash on me. That way if I need to I can just go to the nearest ATM and get what I need. On travel - domestic or international - it's a must for me since you never know what local shops don't even take credit cards

3, 4, and 5: see @imaximous's responses

Edit: showing the mobile pay at Lowes with my AMEX

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

K-in-Boston — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 00:25:43 GMT

1.) My usual Lowe's doesn't take contactless through the regular aisles but does in self-checkout. In fact, even the chip reader fails about 1 in 3 times.

2.) IIRC Schwab waives some ATM fees, but usually if I need cash when out of the country, I'll use a CU card with an extremely low APR and minimal or no CA fees to just do a CA at the ATM. Definitely wouldn't want my primary checking ATM card skimmed. Probably a good time for a reminder that the banking system of many countries do not allow PIN numbers beginning with 0 or 1 and that can create issues with some ATMs.

3.) Canada and most of Western Europe at this point you should be absolutely fine with contactless only, as that is the preferred payment method. Bonus: no more weird looks if you go somewhere off the tourist path and their reader prints out a paper receipt, and no more adding 90 seconds to every transaction while someone has to go find a pen! I personally never found a need for an offline PIN prior to contactless being around, though. I would just always make sure that I had the PIN used for CAs for at least one card, and never had an issue using it.

4.) For Delta Platinum, no. If that was the card you were using to grant you paid SkyClub access, I would bring it because there are occasional reports of SkyClub agents demanding to see the card that grants you access (although as long as it's linked to your SkyMiles account, AMEX SKYMILES should pop up on their screen anyway). As long as you have one of your physical Amex Platinum cards, that's not an issue. The only times where it might come in handy is if the contactless reader weren't working and you wanted your 20% off of in-flight purchases if flying in the back, or if you don't have access to the number when buying WiFi on the newer ViaSat planes, where the purchase codes as Delta.

5.) Usually the card given at check-in is only for incidentals. Even with online checkin through the app, I find that many Marriott properties have still requested a physical card when I check in. Most have chip readers that accept contactless at this point and it's been rare that I actually hand the card over anymore.

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

wasCB14 — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 01:31:11 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
4.) For Delta Platinum, no. If that was the card you were using to grant you paid SkyClub access, I would bring it because there are occasional reports of SkyClub agents demanding to see the card that grants you access (although as long as it's linked to your SkyMiles account, AMEX SKYMILES should pop up on their screen anyway). As long as you have one of your physical Amex Platinum cards, that's not an issue. The only times where it might come in handy is if the contactless reader weren't working and you wanted your 20% off of in-flight purchases if flying in the back, or if you don't have access to the number when buying WiFi on the newer ViaSat planes, where the purchase codes as Delta.

I'm definitely going to always carry the Business Platinum and possibly the Schwab. At SkyClubs I've always just handed over a Platinum alongside my boarding pass so I've never actually been asked separately for the physical card. But IIRC there are boarding pass scanners at the entrance so when I fly on my own (and don't have to pay a guest fee) you're saying I could just quickly scan my boarding pass for admission, it would know I have an Amex Platinum, and I could keep my cards in my wallet?

The current setup is Delta for the BusPlat and United for Schwab. I have a lot of United travel cash (which I've forgotten to use a few times, but will) so figured the 35% back feature would be kind of wasted there. And I might reach $200 in Delta extras naturally between lounge guest fees and bag fees on Delta solo travel by DM who has an ACM Green card. Maybe I'll get a Delta eGC and try for a split tender reimbursement sometime this year.

But any Delta extras spend in excess of $200 would likely be limited so not getting 20% off snacks would be no big deal. With most of my flights being LAX-SFO lately I don't find much value in in-flight wifi.

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

imaximous — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 01:56:45 GMT

@simplynoir @K-in-Boston Had no idea that self-checkouts at Lowe's accepted mobile pay. I tend to use the regular cashiers. I used to "cheat" with Samsung Pay MST a while ago when a card reader didn't accept mobile pay. But stores like Walmart and Home Depot started blocking MST, so I gave up on Samsung Pay.

Luckily, the merchants where I make the bulk of my purchases take mobile pay in-store and online, so the AR takes a massive beating

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

simplynoir — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 02:02:35 GMT

@imaximous wrote:
@simplynoir @K-in-Boston Had no idea that self-checkouts at Lowe's accepted mobile pay. I tend to use the regular cashiers. I used to "cheat" with Samsung Pay MST a while ago when a card reader didn't accept mobile pay. But stores like Walmart and Home Depot started blocking MST, so I gave up on Samsung Pay.
Luckily, the merchants where I do the bulk of my purchases take mobile pay in-store and online, so the AR takes a massive beating

Yeah, I was surprised honestly because I recall the last time I used the normal checkout line they wouldn't take Samsung Pay at their reader. So when I used my phone I was pleasantly surprised to see it worked as intended even if I waving my phone all over the reader. Perhaps they updated or used new terminals to make it easier for customers. But I do feel your pain on MST blocking. Our regional grocery store HEB does this and it's such a PITA when I'm used to just using my phone and not having to pull out my wallet

And my Precious! 😂

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

wasCB14 — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 02:05:43 GMT

I've vaguely considered an AR. All mobile spend is still 3x at 1.5 cpp for 4.5% in "book through us" travel cash?

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

4sallypat — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 02:10:12 GMT

Funny, I started with 1 minimalist wallet because of sciatica (fat wallet in back pocket).

Carried about 5 personal cards and cash on magnetic clip.

Then the business cards came in and now I carry 2 minimalist wallets plus my iPhone's digital wallets for the other cards that aren't SD.

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

simplynoir — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 02:14:46 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
I've vaguely considered an AR. All mobile spend is still 3x at 1.5 cpp for 4.5% in "book through us" travel cash?

Real Time Rewards allows you to bypass the travel portal 1.5cpp redemptions. As long as you have the points needed to cover the entire purchase you'll get the 1.5x rewards

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

imaximous — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 02:29:32 GMT

@simplynoir wrote:
@imaximous wrote:
@simplynoir @K-in-Boston Had no idea that self-checkouts at Lowe's accepted mobile pay. I tend to use the regular cashiers. I used to "cheat" with Samsung Pay MST a while ago when a card reader didn't accept mobile pay. But stores like Walmart and Home Depot started blocking MST, so I gave up on Samsung Pay.
Luckily, the merchants where I do the bulk of my purchases take mobile pay in-store and online, so the AR takes a massive beating

Yeah, I was surprised honestly because I recall the last time I used the normal checkout line they wouldn't take Samsung Pay at their reader. So when I used my phone I was pleasantly surprised to see it worked as intended even if I waving my phone all over the reader. Perhaps they updated or used new terminals to make it easier for customers. But I do feel your pain on MST blocking. Our regional grocery store HEB does this and it's such a PITA when I'm used to just using my phone and not having to pull out my wallet

And my Precious! 😂

Oh yeah. Don't get me going with HEB. They have these nice looking modern terminals with the setup on top for mobile pay -- contactless symbols and all, and HEB blocks them with a piece of paper and tape so people don't try to tap there. **bleep**! LOL

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

imaximous — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 02:40:26 GMT

@simplynoir wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:
I've vaguely considered an AR. All mobile spend is still 3x at 1.5 cpp for 4.5% in "book through us" travel cash?
Real Time Rewards allows you to bypass the travel portal 1.5cpp redemptions. As long as you have the points needed to cover the entire purchase you'll get the 1.5x rewards

Yeah... RTR or you could also use the portal to get the extra 50%, but RTR allows you to earn points on the purchase and reedem at once. The portal just uses your points so no earnings on the purchases.

I like the AR because you don't have to stay 100% loyal to a particular airline/hotel/etc. You book with any of them and redeem your points with the extra 50% value. There are some minimum thresholds with car rentals and hotels to be aware of.

I use my points with airlines, hotels, car rentals, uber/lyft heavily, so it's definitely a 4.5% card for me. IMO, the most underrated card out there.

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

simplynoir — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 02:52:10 GMT

@imaximous wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
@imaximous wrote:
@simplynoir @K-in-Boston Had no idea that self-checkouts at Lowe's accepted mobile pay. I tend to use the regular cashiers. I used to "cheat" with Samsung Pay MST a while ago when a card reader didn't accept mobile pay. But stores like Walmart and Home Depot started blocking MST, so I gave up on Samsung Pay.
Luckily, the merchants where I do the bulk of my purchases take mobile pay in-store and online, so the AR takes a massive beating

Yeah, I was surprised honestly because I recall the last time I used the normal checkout line they wouldn't take Samsung Pay at their reader. So when I used my phone I was pleasantly surprised to see it worked as intended even if I waving my phone all over the reader. Perhaps they updated or used new terminals to make it easier for customers. But I do feel your pain on MST blocking. Our regional grocery store HEB does this and it's such a PITA when I'm used to just using my phone and not having to pull out my wallet

And my Precious! 😂
Oh yeah. Don't get me going with HEB. They have these nice looking modern terminals with the setup on top for mobile pay -- contactless symbols and all, and HEB blocks them with a piece of paper and tape so people don't try to tap there. **bleep**! LOL

I know right! Like it doesn't make a lick of sense at all lol. They have that contactless dome looking thing on top of their checkout terminal and it doesn't even work smh. And when you ask the cashiers about it they give different answers if they don't already just shrug in reponse. Probably get tired of hearing about it I bet

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

simplynoir — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 02:58:57 GMT

@imaximous wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:
I've vaguely considered an AR. All mobile spend is still 3x at 1.5 cpp for 4.5% in "book through us" travel cash?
Real Time Rewards allows you to bypass the travel portal 1.5cpp redemptions. As long as you have the points needed to cover the entire purchase you'll get the 1.5x rewards
Yeah... RTR or you could also use the portal to get the extra 50%, but RTR allows you to earn points on the purchase and reedem at once. The portal just uses your points so no earnings on the purchases.

I like the AR because you don't have to stay 100% loyal to a particular airline/hotel/etc. You book with any of them and redeem your points with the extra 50% value. There are some minimum thresholds with car rentals and hotels to be aware of.
I use my points with airlines, hotels, car rentals, uber/lyft heavily, so it's definitely a 4.5% card for me. IMO, the most underrated card out there.

Car rental is $250, hotel is $500, airlines AFAIK don't have to be higher than $10-$25 I think. And if you feel like using it for other non-travel purchases and don't mind the 3% redemption there is always that option as well. Personally, if you do that might as well do cashout to your US Bank checking account

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 04:24:59 GMT

I don't know how common this is, but recently, in the UK, one store had a max amount for mobile pay (I am used to this for normal contactless, but not this). Tescos Extra in Kingston Park (you know, by the metro station, NE3 2FP) limited them to 250 GBP. As I was buying a gift card, my bill was about 280, but giving the cashier 40 pounds in cash (as payment, rather than as a bribe) allowed the rest to go through.

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

summerterrace — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 19:56:05 GMT

My Lowes and Menards and don't accept mobile wallet. It's highly annoying as I can't use my AR there. It's also not accepted at Kroger, WalMart, Sams Club and some gas stations. I put my AR in mobile wallet and use that if they accept mobile payments. I keep a 2% catch all card in my physical wallet and use that if they don't take mobile wallets. Works great!

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

HeavenOhio — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 22:29:32 GMT

@wasCB14, Schwab told me that their debit cards have zero contactless capability (cards themselves aren't contactless and they can't be added to mobile wallets). I guess that means carrying the card.

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

Remedios — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 22:36:52 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I don't know how common this is, but recently, in the UK, one store had a max amount for mobile pay (I am used to this for normal contactless, but not this). Tescos Extra in Kingston Park (you know, by the metro station, NE3 2FP) limited them to 250 GBP. As I was buying a gift card, my bill was about 280, but giving the cashier 40 pounds in cash (as payment, rather than as a bribe) allowed the rest to go through.

Did they ask "What's that, peasant?"

If they did not, I'm disappointed.

If they did, did you ask to talk to the manager?

You cannot leave out super important details like that

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

simplynoir — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 00:08:08 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I don't know how common this is, but recently, in the UK, one store had a max amount for mobile pay (I am used to this for normal contactless, but not this). Tescos Extra in Kingston Park (you know, by the metro station, NE3 2FP) limited them to 250 GBP. As I was buying a gift card, my bill was about 280, but giving the cashier 40 pounds in cash (as payment, rather than as a bribe) allowed the rest to go through.
Did they ask "What's that, peasant?"
If they did not, I'm disappointed.
If they did, did you ask to talk to the manager?
You cannot leave out super important details like that

He should have rode in on his hybrid ostrich/emu ride with his pet otter wrapped around his neck. That would have shown them who he was and who they were talking to

Re: Picking cards for my physical vs. mobile wallet

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 00:34:59 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
Did they ask "What's that, peasant?"
If they did not, I'm disappointed.
If they did, did you ask to talk to the manager?
You cannot leave out super important details like that

This is North East England, not London, shop workers are polite. (Oh, they probably dislike the customers but manage not to show it.) Since I am not quite sure what details might be super important:

Saturday, Dec 4th, 2021, around 3pm UK time.

Purchased a 200 GBP Amazon UK gift card

A Tescos-brand vacuum cleaner, around 42 pounds

A variety of vegan grocery items for me and my daughter

Provided two 20 pound notes and used US Altitude Reserve for the rest.

At the door, was asked to show receipt as presumably some people walk out with an appliance. Security guard also failed to call me peasant.

I have a 3 hour video of the experience, as well as an artist's reconstruction, a young adult novel based on this visit, and, nearly finished, a musical. Let me know if any of those will help!