NatWest Contactless faster than Barclays Contactless ?

Ryan101

I know there will be a technical reason for this somewhere but I have just received a Barclays Contactless debit card to replace the non contactless debit card on my barclays current account.

The card begins 4658 58.

My Natwest Debit card begins 4751 29.

When I use my Barclays Contactless card the machines always say 'Authorising' and then 'Approved', with the NatWest card is just says 'Approved' as soon as it is tapped against the machine.

If I use it in the Post Office the receipt will show something like Auth Code: 37541, the NatWest card will simply show: Auth Code
And no number in their.

I thought all contactless cards where the same ?.

buttonmoon

When I use my barclays contactless card it always beeps immediately and states approved.

JuicyJesus

Some Barclays contactless cards authorise online for every transaction. Your Barclays card will be one of them.

Ryan101

JuicyJesus wrote: »

Some Barclays contactless cards authorise online for every transaction. Your Barclays card will be one of them.

I wondered about that, but how will they work on the Tube in London and on the Buses in London as surely they cant be online, not to mention the fact that you are supposed to just tap and go and not wait around while it gets authorised.

reclusive46

Ryan101 wrote: »

I wondered about that, but how will they work on the Tube in London and on the Buses in London as surely they cant be online, not to mention the fact that you are supposed to just tap and go and not wait around while it gets authorised.

Actually on transport for london (since the whole network went contactless), every card is checked on the first tap that its valid (10p check). So it won't make any difference. After your first tap it won't authorise again (They just take the card details and process it through at the end of the day). Authorisation is very quick on the 10p check.