Re: USAA To Issue Contactless Cards

ptatohed · ‎01-06-2023

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?

[Until I can make a pretty signature, here’s an updated draft]

Everyday 5% CB:
Chase prime Visa // citi CUSTOM CASH “A” // citi CUSTOM CASH “B” // citi SHOP YOUR WAY (5% gas (in points), lucrative spending offers) // mylowe’s Rewards // Target circle card

5% CB rotating:
Chase “OG” freedom Visa // DISCOVER it Cash Back // nusenda CU Platinum Cash Rewards

Everyday 4% CB:
US Bank Smartly (v1.0)

Everyday 3% / 2.2% CB:
AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%, sockdrawered) // upgrade Cash Rewards Elite (2.2%, sockdrawered)

Welcome Offer / credits only:
Chase SAPPHIRE PREFFERED (grabbed my $1,000, sockdrawered, will cancel) // NFCU FLAGSHIP REWARDS (elevated Welcome Offer, annual prime credit, sockdrawered)

Hotel card:
Chase IHG ONE REWARDS PREMIER (elevated Welcome Offer, 1 free night/yr)

On my radar:
Langely FCU Signature Cash Back (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // Safe CU Cash Back+ (Quarterly rotating 5% CB cats plus bonus cats) // upgrade MyFive Cash Rewards (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // US Bank Kroger (and family) World Elite Master Card(s) (5% CB Mobile Wallet)

Adkins · ‎01-07-2023

@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.

Last HP 08-07-2023

Anonymous · ‎01-07-2023

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.

UncleB · ‎01-07-2023

@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.

UncleB · ‎01-07-2023

@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).

ptatohed · ‎01-07-2023

@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.

[Until I can make a pretty signature, here’s an updated draft]

Everyday 5% CB:
Chase prime Visa // citi CUSTOM CASH “A” // citi CUSTOM CASH “B” // citi SHOP YOUR WAY (5% gas (in points), lucrative spending offers) // mylowe’s Rewards // Target circle card

5% CB rotating:
Chase “OG” freedom Visa // DISCOVER it Cash Back // nusenda CU Platinum Cash Rewards

Everyday 4% CB:
US Bank Smartly (v1.0)

Everyday 3% / 2.2% CB:
AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%, sockdrawered) // upgrade Cash Rewards Elite (2.2%, sockdrawered)

Welcome Offer / credits only:
Chase SAPPHIRE PREFFERED (grabbed my $1,000, sockdrawered, will cancel) // NFCU FLAGSHIP REWARDS (elevated Welcome Offer, annual prime credit, sockdrawered)

Hotel card:
Chase IHG ONE REWARDS PREMIER (elevated Welcome Offer, 1 free night/yr)

On my radar:
Langely FCU Signature Cash Back (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // Safe CU Cash Back+ (Quarterly rotating 5% CB cats plus bonus cats) // upgrade MyFive Cash Rewards (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // US Bank Kroger (and family) World Elite Master Card(s) (5% CB Mobile Wallet)

Bockrocker · ‎01-07-2023

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.

SeaProbe · ‎01-07-2023

@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.

Anonymous · ‎01-08-2023

@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?

mgood · ‎01-08-2023

@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!