Has anyone had a contactless card that worked for a while but then stopped working?

[UpperNwGuy]

My CSR expired about 9 or 10 months ago, and the new card that Chase sent me was contactless.  I dutifully tried it out on a contactless machine, and it worked.  It was still working last winter when Chase offered 500 URs if I made a certain number of contactless transactions.  I relegated my CSR to the sock drawer from mid-March through the end of May because I wasn't incurring any dining or travel expenses.  When I put it back in my wallet to take advantage of Chase's COVID-19 promotions, I discovered to my dismay that the contactless feature no longer worked.  I can still use the card by inserting it into the payment device so the chip can be read the old fashioned way.  My Freedom card still works as a contactless card at those same machines.  Has this happened to anyone else?

[Anonymous]

I've never had a contactless card work once. I've tried different cards and they just don't work for me. It could be me, but I did some reading on it and followed the steps, but to no avail. 

I'm wondering if that technology is a little bit flaky. I'm interested to see if others have any consistent luck with them.

[SarahJo]

When first approaching the reading device, say three Hail Mary's.  Then, with a dropper filled with oil of juniper, cast out any harboring demons.  And then, this is key, spend more time trying to use the dang contactless until you relinquish your power and submit to the stupid reader thingie that yells at you.  Repeat as necessary 😒.

In all seriousness, the most success I've had with contactless is at Walgeeens.  Even when I tolerated an iWatch for several years if I looked at the dang thing wrong the transaction had to be redone...yes, hopefully the technology will become more consistent. 

[Anonymous]

I have had lots of success with the Apple Pay on the Watch. I find it annoying on the phone. It's been hit or miss with the physical credit cards.

I have had issues with Apple Pay at places where it used to work. That might be the related to the issue you're having with the card.

[NichelleN]

I've never had one that worked and then stopped. In that case, I'd just get it replaced. As for using them, I've had really good luck. And, as said above, Walgreens has been pretty perfect. The two cards I use most often are my Costco Citi and Delta Amex. It's been nice just to use those cards and never have to touch anything to complete the transaction.

[wasCB14]

By the time I got a contactless CSR, my spend was mostly of the "waiter takes your card" or "pay online or in the app" variety. I'm not sure if I ever used the contactless feature of the card. My contactless history is mostly with Amex and Citi Costco.

But I've never had problems with a contactless chip on a physical card failing...just failed transactions from an expired card or not knowing how to use the phone. Cards either hit their expiration date or peel apart before the chip fails.

I'm rarely checking out in stores since COVID (getting stuff delivered or paying in advance and picking up), but before that I would usually press my card up against the terminal with the chip right in the middle of the screen, and keep it still so the terminal could read it easily.

[ChargedUp]

My Discover has been quirky for contactless payments recently, but I've only been using it at the local gas station. Last 3 times I used it inside the store, contactless reads but always declines. Stick the chip in and it works fine. CFU and Amex BCP work fine on the same Ingenico pin pad with contactless.

Next month restaurants kick in for Discover, so I'll be trying it in some different places.

[BmoreBull]

My bank card wasn't working right for a while, so I started using Apple Pay a whole lot. What I learned was if you just tried to put the phone to the machine it wouldn't work. And then the cashier would see what I was doing and so, oh wait a minute. Then they would hit something on the register and the card would work. So now, I'm in the habit of just walking up and saying, Apple Pay, before I use a contactless card or my phone. Once I say it to them, they hit the button and a light will blink on the reader ( Royal Farms, Wawa, 7-11). Once I see that light I tap my card/phone and never have a problem. I think it's a little misleading as they make it seem like you can just tap your phone or card anytime. 

[staticvoidmain]

I never have issues with contactless completely not working. Theoretically, the chip should wear out first before the NFC. It really depends on what exactly happens when you try to use contactless as there could be several points of failure. When this happens to me, two things are usually the cause: either the terminal is not ready to read, or there is interference (like my metal wallet). I figure out which one, then it just works. There also seem to be some terminals that need you to be closer (like really tap it), but I just hover the cards over the terminal most of the times.

[UpperNwGuy]

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@BmoreBull wrote:

then the cashier would see what I was doing and so, oh wait a minute. Then they would hit something on the register and the card would work. 

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^^^ This explanation resonates with me.  I think the cashiers at most stores are trained not to "hit something on the register" until the chip has been inserted into the slot.  The machine is not enabled for contactless prior to that point.