Discover cards are now Contactless

Anonymous · ‎01-11-2020

@randomguy1 wrote:
Not sure if this has been posted but I couldn't find it in a quick search. It looks like Discover has contactless cards now.

Timeline:
I first received my Discover IT card at the end of August 2019. A month after, I found out I can get a second card with a new design so I ordered a second card. Both cards were not contactless.

Last week I ordered a new card because I wanted a new design and received it today. It is a contactless card. I double checked my other two cards and they did not have the contactless symbol. This card included a pamphlet advertising the card was contactless.

Is this new? I'm assuming it is as my last two fairly recent cards were not contactless.

See this is exactly why I love this forum. You learn something every day, and you find more opportunities to get shiny credit cards in the mail!

All I'm going to say is that I never logged on to Discover.com so fast

I do have a question though. When I go to pick the design of the card I want, it gives me 2 options. "Add a card" or "Replace a card". I'm thinking obviously replace a card but what does "Add a card" really mean? Why would I want to add a card? It wouldn't be a new account, would it? Is it the same card number? I don't get it.

ficosuave · ‎01-12-2020

@Anonymous wrote:
I do have a question though. When I go to pick the design of the card I want, it gives me 2 options. "Add a card" or "Replace a card". I'm thinking obviously replace a card but what does "Add a card" really mean? Why would I want to add a card? It wouldn't be a new account, would it? Is it the same card number? I don't get it.

Same account, just an extra card basically. I believe you can have up to 5 activated at once. The only distinction, besides the design, is the alpha-numeric indicator on the back of the card. Your current one should have something like 'A001' in the corner. Any subsequent cards added would be A002, A003, etc.

Anonymous · ‎01-12-2020

Good info, none of my discovers are contactless btw.

Anonymous · ‎01-12-2020

@Nomad3 wrote:
@randomguy1 wrote:
^^ you are welcome.

Coincidentally I received an email a few days ago (after I posted) from Discover advertising being contactless. As somewhat of a germaphobe, I don't mind not having to hand over my card. Not to mention NFC/Apple Pay/etc is faster.
I'm not sure about that statement, in my experiences jamming the chip in is faster, NFC/etc is 2nd and contactless takes the longest

Interesting as I have NOT seen that case. My experiences are contactless is ever so fast.

Nomad3 · ‎01-12-2020

I guess the merchants I deal with use old/cheaper pads then, they definitely look antiquated. Contactless is more of press the card flat against the box and wait several seconds for it recognize there is a card there. I jam it up inside the chip hole and it's quicker for me.

Maybe if people out here upgraded their pin pad boxes

Anonymous · ‎01-12-2020

@Nomad3 wrote:
I guess the merchants I deal with use old/cheaper pads then, they definitely look antiquated. Contactless is more of press the card flat against the box and wait several seconds for it recognize there is a card there. I jam it up inside the chip hole and it's quicker for me.

Maybe if people out here upgraded their pin pad boxes

Good infromation! Where I have been using the cards is at new equipment. Never gave a thought to what it might be like if the equipment is older. Will keep this in mind as I have to believe one day I will run into the older equipment situation.

Of interest, I use a large grocery store so at check out we told the casher we were going to have a payment contest. The cashier was cool with it so we did. The contactless came in first with an Apple Smart Phone next then a slide the card next was the chip and last but certainly not least was the check writer. Will not say any more as it was interesting. Some folks who were not in the modern loop were blown away by the Smart Phone and contactless card.

Anonymous · ‎01-12-2020

I have the luxury of having both option, antiquated and new machines. One od the places you have to forcibly hold the card in the ready for the chip to work, 50/50 chance it actually works then you gotta slide the magnet strip if it doesn't.

Then there's the other place that does not have contactless nor wallet pay options. Though i will say that the chip transaction are fairly quick, evebn rivaling tap. Though not 100%, as I've enver timed them.

Then there's the third place where I shop the most because of the Grocery category, it supports Tap & Pay, and TBH I haven't quite decided what's better. You still have to remove said card from wallet and place it on the machine and wait for the beep. Same as inserting the chip and waiting for the beep. That said i do feel that tap is quicker because you're not fighting with sliding the card in and out, and I don't think I've ever encountered "chip malfunction" using it. Like I have with inserting it.