topic Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards in Credit Cards

USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

UncleB — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 05:44:07 GMT

It's about time... I think the only cards in my wallet that aren't contactless are USAA.

Even as recent as a month or two ago the official USAA line was there was no plan to offer contactless; thankfully they had a change of heart.

https://www.usaa.com/contactless

Contactless cards FAQ

Why is USAA issuing contactless cards?
Contactless cards are fast, easy, and secure. And to provide members convenience and security, later this year USAA will be starting to offer contactless credit and debit cards. USAA ATM cards will not be available with contactless technology.
How do I get a contactless card?
Starting later this year, USAA will send a contactless card any time a card is renewed or replaced.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

Anonymous — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 16:50:39 GMT

It's about time. It's my only card too without contactless and it's my gas card.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

TheRedHat — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 17:29:11 GMT

Finally! Welcome to the 21st century, USAA!

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

Matt9543 — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 22:52:02 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
It's about time... I think the only cards in my wallet that aren't contactless are USAA.

Even as recent as a month or two ago the official USAA line was there was no plan to offer contactless; thankfully they had a change of heart.

https://www.usaa.com/contactless

Contactless cards FAQ
Why is USAA issuing contactless cards?
Contactless cards are fast, easy, and secure. And to provide members convenience and security, later this year USAA will be starting to offer contactless credit and debit cards. USAA ATM cards will not be available with contactless technology.

How do I get a contactless card?
Starting later this year, USAA will send a contactless card any time a card is renewed or replaced.

I will say I like the design of the card in the graphic.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

UncleB — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 03:19:43 GMT

@Matt9543 wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
It's about time... I think the only cards in my wallet that aren't contactless are USAA.

Even as recent as a month or two ago the official USAA line was there was no plan to offer contactless; thankfully they had a change of heart.

https://www.usaa.com/contactless

Contactless cards FAQ
Why is USAA issuing contactless cards?
Contactless cards are fast, easy, and secure. And to provide members convenience and security, later this year USAA will be starting to offer contactless credit and debit cards. USAA ATM cards will not be available with contactless technology.

How do I get a contactless card?
Starting later this year, USAA will send a contactless card any time a card is renewed or replaced.
I will say I like the design of the card in the graphic.

I noticed that as well... of course we have no way of knowing if the image is supposed to represent only contactless or an upcoming change in their card designs.

As mediocre as some of the current designs are, they're still worlds better than just a few years ago, LOL.

Of course I'd be willing to take the most hideous design if they'd only change their current policies/rewards to be more competitive with other issues. I won't be holding my breath on that happening, though.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

BearsCubsOtters — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 19:29:28 GMT

Looks like they are already rolling them out and the design on the usaa.com/contactless website is the new design. Old designs still on the main website.

Someone posted this to Reddit:

I really liked the 2015-2022 design language but I am thankful that they are not vertical.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 00:53:56 GMT

Now Chase is my last card with raised numbers.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 07:40:32 GMT

UncleB

Back in 2010 USAA offered a World Master Card that was all black with gold lettering and red/gold MCs with a Pin option for overseas. It looked very exclusive!

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

UncleB — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 12:51:19 GMT

Just a heads-up that the USAA Amex cards are apparently now offered in contactless as well:

In addition to contactless the artwork was also redesigned; basically it's the same as the new Visa just with the Amex logo.

Due to issues I had with false fraud alerts few months ago I'm not sure if I want to get a replacement now or just wait... will have to think about that. 🤔

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

UFGuy2006 — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 18:22:12 GMT

Looks like the amex option is now available to request as a replacement card online. Just did it. :-)

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

ptatohed — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 06:05:46 GMT

Curious. What is the point of contactless? I think I used it once (at Del Taco) and that was just to see what all the hype was about. It didn't seem to be that much easier than sticking my chip in the reader. I think both NFC (contactless) and EMV (chip) are secure, right? I will say I could see a security benefit at gas pumps since they are outside and more susceptible to card skimming but as my luck would have it, I actually haven't seen contactless payment available at the pumps I frequent. But what's the benefit to NFC indoors?

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

Adkins — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 08:57:58 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
Just a heads-up that the USAA Amex cards are apparently now offered in contactless as well:

In addition to contactless the artwork was also redesigned; basically it's the same as the new Visa just with the Amex logo.

Due to issues I had with false fraud alerts few months ago I'm not sure if I want to get a replacement now or just wait... will have to think about that. 🤔

They've been advertising the new card on billboards around my nearest big city.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 08:11:27 GMT

In the past the bank stated you could use a Smart Phone and access "contactless" so there was not a need for the physical card to include such an option.

When you review their cards online their rewards are less than many other FIs.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

UncleB — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 16:40:25 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
Curious. What is the point of contactless?

It's usually faster than inserting the card and you don't have to worry about skimmers, which sadly can still be an issue since even chip cards still have a magnetic stripe.

@ptatohed wrote:
I will say I could see a security benefit at gas pumps since they are outside and more susceptible to card skimming but as my luck would have it, I actually haven't seen contactless payment available at the pumps I frequent.

This is surprising. The only place I've bought gas in the last year that does not have NFC at the pump is Kroger, which isn't surprising since Kroger is stubbornly keeping NFC turned off even in the store. It's not unusual for me to find NFC/contactless at the pump even at stations in rural Alabama these days.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

UncleB — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 16:47:08 GMT

@Adkins wrote:
They've been advertising the new card on billboards around my nearest big city.

This doesn't surprise me at all... they love to spend advertising dollars these days (e.g. Gronk commercials).

@Anonymous wrote:
In the past the bank stated you could use a Smart Phone and access "contactless" so there was not a need for the physical card to include such an option.

When you review their cards online their rewards are less than many other FIs.

Yeah, their cards are honestly nothing to write home about.

The only decent offering they have right now is the Cashback Rewards Plus American Express, which gives 5% cash back on gas purchases. Otherwise, IMO they're a niche product suitable for the sock drawer until a BT offer comes around (which these days isn't too often).

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

ptatohed — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 22:57:59 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
Curious. What is the point of contactless?
It's usually faster than inserting the card and you don't have to worry about skimmers, which sadly can still be an issue since even chip cards still have a magnetic stripe.

@ptatohed wrote:
I will say I could see a security benefit at gas pumps since they are outside and more susceptible to card skimming but as my luck would have it, I actually haven't seen contactless payment available at the pumps I frequent.
This is surprising. The only place I've bought gas in the last year that does not have NFC at the pump is Kroger, which isn't surprising since Kroger is stubbornly keeping NFC turned off even in the store. It's not unusual for me to find NFC/contactless at the pump even at stations in rural Alabama these days.

Hmm, ok, thanks. I'll pay better attention at the pumps. I pretty much go only to a one-off station called Excaliber and Speedway.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

Bockrocker — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 00:01:33 GMT

The only place I use contactless is the vending machine at work. It's pretty finicky about card placement so was never really impressed. New cards look nice anyway.

Kinda odd they spend so much on advertising when membership is limited. Wish they would open it up a bit more, maybe let existing members make one referral a year or something.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

SeaProbe — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 01:07:04 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
In the past the bank stated you could use a Smart Phone and access "contactless" so there was not a need for the physical card to include such an option.

Exactly.

I think I tried contactless with the card once or twice and also found it finicky. With an NFC phone, there is no point in pulling out a wallet, reaching for the right card, and then placing it over the reader; using the phone is faster and easier for me.

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 08:53:19 GMT

@Bockrocker wrote:
The only place I use contactless is the vending machine at work. It's pretty finicky about card placement so was never really impressed. New cards look nice anyway.

Kinda odd they spend so much on advertising when membership is limited. Wish they would open it up a bit more, maybe let existing members make one referral a year or something.

Question? When there are so many good products and FIs in the market place, why spend time on anything less?

Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

mgood — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 15:27:32 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
Curious. What is the point of contactless?
It's usually faster than inserting the card and you don't have to worry about skimmers, which sadly can still be an issue since even chip cards still have a magnetic stripe.

I've gotten in the habit of using them, or at least trying to. At least one time in four, it doesn't work and I have to insert the card. Using Google Pay seems even less handy. I have to log in to my phone, then log in to Google Pay, then select payment, then if it's not the first card, I need to scroll through to the correct card. I could have pulled the card out and inserted it in a small fraction of that time. It has come in handy a time or two when I wanted to use a particular card I was not actually carrying but had in Google Pay. But even with the card in hand, it seems very questionable whether it's quicker to pay contactless or to just jam it in the slot. Many of the readers I encounter seem to be finicky about exactly where you hold the card in order for it to read it.

I don't have any accounts with USAA, but those pictures of the new cards look cool!