What is the limit for contactless payments?

[Anonymous]

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@imaximous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Just a DP. Tried google pay with Amex delta gold at CVS, around $101.4. Did not go through.

I was requested to give last 4 digit of credit card, but the POS device keep claiming the number provided was wrong (which is false).

Samsung pay is definitely different, it can mimic credit card magnet stripes, which is basically same as swiping the card.

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What last 4 digits did you give them? The ones on your actual card or virtual card?

The only reason why I think you'd get declined is if you used the last 4 numbers on your physical card. 

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Additionally, AmEx in Google Pay uses something called "magstripe mode" contactless (aka MSD), which causes merchants to use the magstripe card flow instead of the chip one. I suspect Samsung Pay for that transaction amount would have produced a similar result, regardless of whether the NFC reader's used or not.

[ChargedUp]

I've been using Samsung Pay quite a bit lately, and it's been very hit and miss with the card terminal and my phone not communicating correctly. Ingenico pads at Wal Mart seem to be the worst, prompting card read error most of the time. I did manage to get it to work once for a purchase of around $110 at Wal Mart on my Amex Gold and was prompted for the CVC code on the back. I entered it and it was approved. Another time for a similar amount it came back declined, I stuck the same card in the chip slot and it was instantly approved. I feel hardware glitches cause most of the issues with NFC payments at the current time.

Ironically, I've had the best luck at smaller businesses and shops, along with a local 7-11. Rarely any read errors and quick authorizations.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Just got the time to chat with Amex and ask them. They confirmed you all are correct. There is no limit on contactless transactions. I'm guessing, like you said, that my local supermarket or their processor is limiting it then.

I guess I just assumed that since the UK has limits in place (according to articles I've read it was £30 per transaction in early 2018), there would be the same policy in the US.

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I think the UK limits are because the normal mode is Chip&Pin, whereas contactless with just the card is obviously less secure so they limit the amount.  And I guess mobile wallet gets treated the same even though that has more security.

With no PIN in the US, contactless is about as secure as using the card.

[joltdude]

Trivia... Did you know that Samsung Pay originally was avalible for IOS via a fob..... company was called Looppay.. Samsung bought them out and became Samsung Pay....