Apple Pay Officially Launches in the United Kingdom Today

[appleboyy]

I've made a site to capture what stores accept apple pay in the UK..

www.whoacceptsapplepay.co.uk

Its very basic at the moment, will be updated to look amazing soon, if anyone wants to help me with design and building it, PM ME

 

[kjm18]

just been to my local co-op food store and no Apple pay signage up anywhere to display whether it's available there was planning on trying it but didn't want to risk just in case, typical where I live shops to do this but need to post something I sold tomorrow at the post office so will try there. Also had to pick up a prescription in my local boots and nothing there either

 

[scottish]

My girlfriend and I share a NatWest current account with our own separate cards, both Visa debit cards. Hers is purple and contactless and mine is blue and non-contactless. Only hers can be added to Apple Pay. NatWest are denying that only contactless cards work but in my case that seems true. It's certainly not account based, it's the same account.

I've ordered a new contactless card as NatWest later advised me that I did need one for it to work. As they seem a bit confused and you seem clued up, I'll ask you! Will my new contactless card be 'offline' or are these two separate concepts and it's not guaranteed? Even if it's not guaranteed, do you think it's likely? Thanks.

P.S. It doesn't matter too much anyway as I just added my girlfriend's card. It all comes from the same account.

It seems strange to me that even though you have a joint account, you don't both get an offline card. They will have credit scored you both and perhaps they differentiate the card types depending on the result despite it being the same account. The blue card is what you'd expect to get on their basic (no overdraft, chequebook) account.

Good that they are sending you a contactless card now though which will definitely be offline. I expect it will be the same as your girlfriend's.

I'd be wary about adding the card to multiple devices if there is a chance they could be used at the same time in different locations. Wouldn't go down well if there was a fraud on your account.

So apparently I must have a basic account with RBS, what account do you need? One of those where they charge you like £11 a month for "insurance"?

Just applied and got accepted for the free Select Account with RBS, I guess we will see what happens now, wasn't even aware I had a basic account.

That's good! I imagine either when you opened your account initially they deemed you unsuitable for the full account or you simply selected it.

Sainsbury's are rolling out new POS software updates to enable all forms of contactless. I wouldn't expect it to be enabled until late next year though.

Late next year?! That is a long time away.

Wonder when/if Yorkshire Bank will ever have Apple Pay...

They are only just about to start accepting online bank account applications so it could be some time yet.

Set up my non-contactless credit card today and used it in M&S to buy my lunch.

Observations:

1 - Too slow. Ok in a shop, no good as an Oyster replacement.
2 - I just used my credit card to buy my lunch which is of course pointless. I could add my debit card as well but then I'd have to faff about selecting it, and frankly it's quicker to just pick the right card out of my wallet. Ok, I could set my debit card as the default but then I don't really gain anything over just using the contactless card.

I think where it will be good with my credit card is for in-app purchases.

HOWEVER - I don't know if this has been answered of not, but are you still covered by Section-75 card protection if you use this? Or is it like if you use PayPal linked to your credit card you aren't covered?

Why is it pointless to use a credit card to pay for your lunch?

 

[virginblue4]

So I've used it in three separate co-op food stores today, twice on my iPhone and once on my Apple Watch, all worked flawlessly!

The first time the cashier was an older lady and was absolutely stunned by me paying using my iPhone. She said that she had never seen or heard of anything like it and wants to get an iPhone just to use it.

The second time I used my Apple Watch, as as soon as I lifted my wrist the cashier called his colleague to come and watch me do it. They were both amazed, as was the long line of customers behind me.

In the third store I asked to pay contactless and the guy looked at me funny when I first held my phone up, but once I paid, he kept asking me loads of questions. Again all the customer were totally fascinated!

Have to say, I love Apple Pay! Super fast and impressive!

just been to my local co-op food store and no Apple pay signage up anywhere to display whether it's available there was planning on trying it but didn't want to risk just in case, typical where I live shops to do this but need to post something I sold tomorrow at the post office so will try there. Also had to pick up a prescription in my local boots and nothing there either

Anywhere that accepts contactless will accept Apple Pay.

 

[virginblue4]

I've made a site to capture what stores accept apple pay in the UK..

www.whoacceptsapplepay.co.uk

Its very basic at the moment, will be updated to look amazing soon, if anyone wants to help me with design and building it, PM ME

Well for starters, you may as well add all the retailers that are on the Apple Pay page.

https://www.apple.com/uk/apple-pay/where-to-use-apple-pay/

 

[bigchrisfgb]

Late next year?! That is a long time away.

They are rolling out the update now, the small stores will get it first which is expired to be complete this year, then the big stores will get it. That alone could take a year, only when every store has it will contactless be enabled.

In that year it gives customers plenty of opportunity to get in either direct contact with the CEO or tell Sainsbury's that you wish to pay via Apple pay. Not only that but you would expect both Samsung pay and Android pay to have launched over as well, this will just add to the demand for these payments systems. Ok it may take some stores a year or so to start accepting it, but in that year more and more stores will and there is a greater chance that by the time the stores who take their time to adapt to it do get on board then they will start off with limitless transactions.

Today the ball has started rolling here in the UK, it 's only a matter of time before pretty much everyone accepts it. Barclays have to rush out and do a deal with Apple due to demand, it won't take long for the remaining banks too as well. Look at the USA, real insecure banks are now enabling Apple pay, more and more retailers each day are signing up to it. That's going to start here as well.

 

[dbrose]

Used it first in the restaurant at work - it worked perfectly. The server was extremely bemused at my suggestion to pay with my phone at first and she closely examined the receipt when it printed.

When I tried at Waitrose my phone said it had worked and showed the amount paid but the payment terminal and recognise it and continued to prompt for payment. I reauthorised and it worked.

Morrisons was a disaster. TouchID recognition failed - probably due to sweaty fingers - and then when it finally did work the system went into processing mode and eventually the transaction declined. Again the phone said it was a success. Not sure what caused this seeing as it should work everywhere but Morrisons saying on Twitter that they will support from tomorrow. The slightly rude self checkout assistant tried to tell me that it was Apple Watch only.
.

Had no problem in Morrisons today but the self checkout girl did look confused.

 

[dbrose]

just been to my local co-op food store and no Apple pay signage up anywhere to display whether it's available there was planning on trying it but didn't want to risk just in case, typical where I live shops to do this but need to post something I sold tomorrow at the post office so will try there. Also had to pick up a prescription in my local boots and nothing there either

Don't need signage to use it. Just use it. It works with almost all contactless terminals.

 

[scottish]

They are rolling out the update now, the small stores will get it first which is expired to be complete this year, then the big stores will get it. That alone could take a year, only when every store has it will contactless be enabled.

In that year it gives customers plenty of opportunity to get in either direct contact with the CEO or tell Sainsbury's that you wish to pay via Apple pay. Not only that but you would expect both Samsung pay and Android pay to have launched over as well, this will just add to the demand for these payments systems. Ok it may take some stores a year or so to start accepting it, but in that year more and more stores will and there is a greater chance that by the time the stores who take their time to adapt to it do get on board then they will start off with limitless transactions.

Today the ball has started rolling here in the UK, it 's only a matter of time before pretty much everyone accepts it. Barclays have to rush out and do a deal with Apple due to demand, it won't take long for the remaining banks too as well. Look at the USA, real insecure banks are now enabling Apple pay, more and more retailers each day are signing up to it. That's going to start here as well.

Thanks for further info. To me that seems a long time to roll out an update but I admit I know little about retailers POS systems. Must be a big change to their systems and processes? Morrisons managed to roll out contactless pretty quickly and I understand they are pretty archaic with that sort of thing. Appreciate they have half the amount of stores.

 

[Reason077]

What's a shame is that they don't somehow combine your Apple Pay device ID and your Oyster account so that you can use it as an Oyster Card substitute. I have a Zone 2-6 monthly travelcard so I can only use my watch if I'm going into Zone 1, like today.

I suspect that TfL will (sooner or later) allow you to purchase Travelcards online and attach them to a specific contactless card, or Apple Pay device, instead of an Oyster card.

 

[bigchrisfgb]

Thanks for further info. To me that seems a long time to roll out an update but I admit I know little about retailers POS systems. Must be a big change to their systems and processes? Morrisons managed to roll out contactless pretty quickly and I understand they are pretty archaic with that sort of thing. Appreciate they have half the amount of stores.

They wanted to start rolling it out last year but the trial brought a few bugs to light. Most stores should be ok gettin the update but as everything now it will be downloaded via the Internet. This is ok for stores in areas with good internet connection, but for more rural stores it maybe a problem to download such large amounts of software overnight. Also some stores are using computers nearly 29 year old for their tills. These along with stores that don't have contactless ability card readers will all have to be replaced.
Going back 10 years or so ago, the only thing computers had to do in stores were run a till system, keep an eye on stock, and have email abilities. The hardware didn't need to do much and didn't need to be replaced. Now though you have more and more people wanting to pay by card, you have to communicate with the head office, with other stores, directly with suppliers. Computers in stores need to do so much more than they needed to do 10 years ago. New hardware and software is needed because there was never any need for supermarkets to update their computers. This will be a big reason why larger supermarkets will take time adapting to contactless and Apple pay. The same is largely true in the USA where pretty much every major supermarket have not enabled it, Walmart is a big example of this.

 

[bigchrisfgb]

I'm going in to town later on. Will see if the Metro supports it.

I wax just wondering, did the Metro take Apple pay?, were you able to pay at the barriers or did you have to use the tickets machines?

I'm not sure if the new barriers even have an NFC reader, I rarely use the Metro these days.

 

[kdarling]

I suspect that TfL will (sooner or later) allow you to purchase Travelcards online and attach them to a specific contactless card, or Apple Pay device, instead of an Oyster card.

It would also be nice if Apple opened up NFC access like Android does, and let Oyster write their own card emulation app.

 

[bigchrisfgb]

It would also be nice if Apple would open up NFC like Android does, and let Oyster write their own card emulation app.

TFL are moving away from Oyster towards contactless because Oyster is now too limited for their requirements.
Besides why do they need to open it up? Apple allow cards in Passbook, all the TFL have to do is make the passbook app for it.

 

[Fried_Gold]

That's good! I imagine either when you opened your account initially they deemed you unsuitable for the full account or you simply selected it.

When I originally opened the account I had no idea they actually had different accounts, must of been well over 10 years ago. It's always worked online and in store so never even thought of changing anything lol.

 

[Reason077]

TFL are moving away from Oyster towards contactless because Oyster is now too limited for their requirements.
Besides why do they need to open it up? Apple allow cards in Passbook, all the TFL have to do is make the passbook app for it.

It's not so much that Oyster is limited in capabilities. It's more that Oyster is expensive for TfL to operate. All those queues at stations to buy cards and top up go away. They no longer have to pay third-party retailers a commission to apply top-ups. They no longer have to maintain such a large fleet of top-up machines, etc.

It's all just simpler and cheaper for TfL if banks (and now, consumer electronics companies like Apple) provide the cards and devices. Ticketing for TfL just becomes a software layer on top.

 

[GreyOS]

It seems strange to me that even though you have a joint account, you don't both get an offline card. They will have credit scored you both and perhaps they differentiate the card types depending on the result despite it being the same account. The blue card is what you'd expect to get on their basic (no overdraft, chequebook) account.

Good that they are sending you a contactless card now though which will definitely be offline. I expect it will be the same as your girlfriend's.

I'd be wary about adding the card to multiple devices if there is a chance they could be used at the same time in different locations. Wouldn't go down well if there was a fraud on your account

Thanks for your thoughtful response. Our different cards could come down to two things: 1. My girlfriend has had her own personal account with NatWest for many years but this is my first account (and card) with them. 2. Our joint account started off as a 2nd account under her name only and I only added my name to it and got my card a few weeks later. I'd be surprised if my rating was lower than hers to be honest!

Aaanyway, ta for the advice about possible fraud detection. I probably won't use Apple Pay again (after testing at lunch- success!) till I can set up my new card in a few days. And also when HSBC launch it so I can set up my own personal card on it!

 

[retrospek]

I'm so sold on the concept of an offset mortgage that I don't think I'll change. I'm taking the fact that hardly any banks offer offset mortgages as evidence that they are great for customers, not so good for banks I guess the reason for the 3 years of staff training is down to the same issue.

Going to call back to see if I can get an update on activation.

Did you call them back ? Any update ?

 

[8012R3]

I bought 2 bottles of water in Ikea with  Pay. It worked. *shrug* Cashier said nothing!

 

[scottish]

When I originally opened the account I had no idea they actually had different accounts, must of been well over 10 years ago. It's always worked online and in store so never even thought of changing anything lol.

The only difference I can think of is you wouldn't be able to use it at a pay at pump petrol station or for contactless! And no overdraft. If you don't require to use any of these then it will have been much the same as any account.

Thanks for your thoughtful response. Our different cards could come down to two things: 1. My girlfriend has had her own personal account with NatWest for many years but this is my first account (and card) with them. 2. Our joint account started off as a 2nd account under her name only and I only added my name to it and got my card a few weeks later. I'd be surprised if my rating was lower than hers to be honest!

Aaanyway, ta for the advice about possible fraud detection. I probably won't use Apple Pay again (after testing at lunch- success!) till I can set up my new card in a few days. And also when HSBC launch it so I can set up my own personal card on it!

I would say that either or both could have an influence on what kind of card they gave you. Perhaps they didn't do a full credit check on you when you applied to make it a joint account.

Hopefully you'll be up and running soon though one way or another.

 

[kjm18]

Don't need signage to use it. Just use it. It works with almost all contactless terminals.

All their machines had on was please insert card wasn't sure if we're setup or not as no Apple pay logo on them, need post office and petrol for car tomorrow so will give it a go then

 

[iGeek2014]

I used it in my local Boots this evening. Was much quicker than my local Co-Op but the girl serving me didn't seem to know too much about it.

 

[Reason077]

Apple allow cards in Passbook, all the TFL have to do is make the passbook app for it.

Passbook cards can't use NFC, though. They're limited to using barcodes. This is slower and less reliable than NFC, and not all retailers have hardware capable of reading them off a phone screen. TfL ticket gates certainly don't.

Opening up NFC could have a lot of advantages.

You'd be able to load loyalty cards like Nectar or Air Miles into Passbook/Wallet and have them automatically sent to the retailer at the same time you tap to use Apple Pay.

Or purchase, say, a discounted intercity rail ticket from a ticketing app like Trainline, have it load into your passbook showing your reservation details and seat numbers, and simply tap your phone on the ticket gate to use it. No messing around at ticket machines having to collect an antiquated paper ticket.

 

[bbfc]

I wax just wondering, did the Metro take Apple pay?, were you able to pay at the barriers or did you have to use the tickets machines?

I'm not sure if the new barriers even have an NFC reader, I rarely use the Metro these days.

I used change as I had some. I usually use my contactless card. You can't buy a ticket on your phone, and I don't think the barriers will have NFC, but it wouldn't matter anyway. I might try it tomorrow or whenever I next go into town. I would presume you could use Apple Pay at the ticket machine and it would just spit a ticket out, as it does now with a contactless card.

I only use the Metro when my Arriva weekly pass has ran out and I don't need to buy another one. I'm on holiday this week from work so just using the metro whenever I need to get somewhere.

 

[Gibbage]

Did you call them back ? Any update ?

They called me back in the end, took some details on the phone and then said my card would be activated in a few hours. This was around 5pm and it's not activated yet, I'm hoping it will work tomorrow.