Apple Pay Adds 35 New Participating Issuers in United States

[JeffyTheQuik]

Same here. When Apple Pay was announced, I asked my local bank if they were going to offer it. I was initially told a flat "no". I asked them again as adoption spread and their response was, "We're thinking about it". But AFAIK, they haven't even applied. So far, none of my local (as opposed to multinational) banks offer it. When I can link Apple Pay with my debit card instead of my credit card, I'm all in.

I did the same with my bank, and after getting the generic "we're looking into it," I got a customer service survey, and I ripped them a new one.
Yesterday, I got a phone call from the bank, and I told them that I don't appreciate a 3 paragraph "corporate speak" for "we're telling you nothing and keeping our options open."
After pressing the guy, I found out that they're looking for release in 4Q15. I told the guy I appreciated that, and I won't be there on October 1 demanding it, but will appreciate it when it does come out.

 

[centauratlas]

I agree. Trader Joe's, Winn Dixie, Walgreens, Panera among a number of others work nicely with it.

Notwithstanding your humor, I've used it multiple places besides McD and WF, including gas stations, Walgreens, Pandora Jewelry, and anywhere that has one of the logo, I try it, and so far, I'm at 100% in the Seattle area.

 

[macintologist]

Still no Ally Bank

 

[nouveau-apple]

So how does it work, they just update it on a server or something?

 

[macduke]

Where I live Apple Pay still isn't accepted at the grocery and home improvement stores I frequent. The campus I work at has added support to many of their terminals this summer. It's really convenient (and especially fast on the Watch) and I can't wait for more locations to support it.

What I really can't wait for are restaurants to support it. It seems so archaic to hand them your card and they go to some back area to run it. Sure, here's my card number, expiration date, and CCV code. Just take it all to the back! Dumb.

My worry is that places will up pushing Android Pay instead because Google will likely hand over all transaction information to the retailer. They'll probably also provide your complete Google advertising profile for a fee! "This guy keeps his Nest thermostat set pretty low. He must get hot easily. We should market ice cream at him every time he comes into the store, tries to browse the web, or through email and social media!" Meanwhile the real reason I'm hot is because I've been working out a ton, building stuff on my house, trying to get into better shape. But then there's just ice cream everywhere tempting me to stay chunky. Just a hypothetical glimpse at the future. Hopefully it's not that bad! Unfortunately I see this as tame compared to what they could do. I got an advertising minor just a couple years ago along with my design degree and that's the kind of crap they talked about in class. Just wait.

 

[raydragon]

I just spoke with a Member Services girl with (NC)SECU regarding when/if Apple Pay will be allowed. At first she said she had not heard of Apple Pay (if she is in Raleigh, I find that hard to believe), but then said she would ask someone who knew. After quite a while of me on hold, she came back saying she apparently did not get the e-mail regarding Apple Pay that was recently sent out internally, but someone just forwarded it to her. According to the e-mail (she paraphrased), Card Accounts and Security are both working to determine/ensure that Apple Pay is "compatible" with their systems and does not put SECU or its members at financial risk before a decision will be made. I asked if I could add my feedback to those concerns, then I proceeded to remind her that SECU allowed me to freely use my Visa Check Card issued by them at Home Depot, Target, BJ's, and Belks, to name a few, and had to be cancelled and reissued after massive data breaches at those retailers. I also reminded her that SECU have issued a new card to me 7 times in the last 5 years for "security concerns" and technology upgrades, so I know decisions can be made quicker than the 11 months they have been "looking into" whether to support Apple Pay.

I was told that if they do start supporting it, it will likely "just start working", but if they make a decision to not support Apple Pay, we will probably not be informed. So much for the second largest CU in the U.S. caring about their members more than they care about their new headquarters tower downtown.

 

[unplugme71]

Didn't Best Buy announce they will accept it. So that will probably be the first major retailer other than Apple themselves.

 

[bookwormsy]

Dammit discover. Hurry up

 

[tmiw]

A few things on the posts regarding USA usage:

1. More issuers means more demand for the use of contactless systems. Also, the tipping point is coming this summer. In October, 2015, the risk is on the retailer for fraud if they do not take chip and PIN cards (like a lot of the world has).
http://money.usnews.com/money/perso...g-next-fall-more-chip-and-pin-cards-in-the-us

This isn't guaranteed for a couple of reasons:

1. It's still possible to buy a chip-enabled terminal that has no NFC hardware support at all. A significant number of (albeit smaller) businesses have done this.
2. Even if the hardware supports it but it's not guaranteed that retailers will make the necessary software changes, at least right away.

As a result it's totally possible that by the time October rolls around the 750k number won't be significantly higher.

2. Usage for retailers in the USA... Look for this as a good probability that ApplePay will work:

[snipped]

There are a lot of places that don't have either where it works fine. Indicator lights (either 1 green/3 clear circles on the screen or elsewhere on the terminal) seem to be a better indicator, though some don't even have that.

What I really can't wait for are restaurants to support it. It seems so archaic to hand them your card and they go to some back area to run it. Sure, here's my card number, expiration date, and CCV code. Just take it all to the back! Dumb.

Unlikely considering US chip enabled cards won't even have a PIN or one that gets used for "attended" transactions, and businesses know this. In my limited experience with restaurants that have upgraded they still take the card away from you and if you have a chip and PIN card the server comes back and has you walk to the back of the restaurant to enter the PIN (ask me how I know). I wouldn't be surprised if acquirers/processors simply disable PIN support and force all chip-enabled cards to be chip and signature at the restaurant's request if they start hearing complaints. Apple/Android Pay in-app for restaurants is more likely if they even bother IMO.

My worry is that places will up pushing Android Pay instead because Google will likely hand over all transaction information to the retailer. They'll probably also provide your complete Google advertising profile for a fee! "This guy keeps his Nest thermostat set pretty low. He must get hot easily. We should market ice cream at him every time he comes into the store, tries to browse the web, or through email and social media!" Meanwhile the real reason I'm hot is because I've been working out a ton, building stuff on my house, trying to get into better shape. But then there's just ice cream everywhere tempting me to stay chunky. Just a hypothetical glimpse at the future. Hopefully it's not that bad! Unfortunately I see this as tame compared to what they could do. I got an advertising minor just a couple years ago along with my design degree and that's the kind of crap they talked about in class. Just wait.

Both use the same NFC protocols so one can't simply disable one without disabling the other.

 

[Nevaborn]

I went in to Starbucks in the UK today and they have gotten rid of their NFC machines. I can scan barcodes through wallet but no NFC. Why are we going backwards !

 

[Manatlt]

I went in to Starbucks in the UK today and they have gotten rid of their NFC machines. I can scan barcodes through wallet but no NFC. Why are we going backwards !

That particular store may have problems with their terminal and probably getting a new replacement soon.

Because Starbucks in the UK is one of Apple's approved stores of accepting Apple Pay.