Apple Pay

NFH

I've been using Apple Pay for several days now, and I have run into some minor problems, all of which are temporary or can be overcome. Every problem is where, after pre-authorising a payment, the message on the iPhone changes from "Hold Near Reader to Pay" to "Done", falsely indicating that the payment was successful.

1. On TfL's yellow card readers, both standalone machines and at ticket barriers, the iPhone sometimes changes to "Done" but the yellow card reader gives an error. Where a ticket barrier fails to open, this is obvious, but at a standalone yellow card reader, it is easy to pay more attention to the "Done" message on the iPhone than to the error on the TfL yellow card reader. On one occasion, I didn't notice the error on the TfL yellow card reader and was consequently charged a maximum fare. When I phoned TfL (as journey history is currently unavailable for Apple Pay with Amex), they refunded the whole charge (nearly £10) to my bank account, not only the overcharged amount.
2. In some pubs and bars, I see the "Done" message on the iPhone, but the merchant's card reader gives an error and says to insert or swipe the card. This is because the merchant's card reader hasn't yet been updated to the "latest network contactless specifications", in which case it would know that Apple Pay isn't a physical card. In one pub, trying the payment again resolved the issue, but in another bar, the barman patiently retried it several times, but eventually I had to get out my physical Amex card and pay contactlessly with that. I can foresee disputes where some iPhone users will insist that their card has been charged but the merchant says payment has not been received. Although it appears that the merchant will usually be right, this won't prevent some iPhone users from insisting that the payment was successful and arguing with merchants.

Paul_1977

So I walk into an off license, I buy two cans of coke for £1.20

I pay with Apple pay.

After I leave, I check my bank account a few days later and find £1200 has been charged.

Where would I stand?

NFH

Paul_1977 wrote: »

So I walk into an off license, I buy two cans of coke for £1.20. I pay with Apple pay.
After I leave, I check my bank account a few days later and find £1200 has been charged. Where would I stand?

Your card issuer would resolve it. In any case, you would see the wrong amount:

1. On the retailer's terminal before authorising the payment
2. On the iPhone's screen immediately after authorising the payment
3. On the paper receipt after payment
4. On a push notification from your card issuer a few minutes after payment

I hope that Apple also finds a way to make receipts electronic as well. Like most people, I put receipts in my wallet after a transaction. Therefore Apple Pay doesn't negate the need to get my wallet out of my pocket.

Landofwood

Paul_1977 wrote: »

So I walk into an off license, I buy two cans of coke for £1.20

I pay with Apple pay.

After I leave, I check my bank account a few days later and find £1200 has been charged.

Where would I stand?

No different to if your credit card had been overcharged. What are you getting at?

Chino

NFH wrote: »

Like most people, I put receipts in my wallet after a transaction. Therefore Apple Pay doesn't negate the need to get my wallet out of my pocket.

So stop putting receipts in your wallet. Problem solved.

NFH

Chino wrote: »

So stop putting receipts in your wallet. Problem solved.

And where else should one put them so that they don't get lost?

Landofwood

NFH wrote: »

And where else should one put them so that they don't get lost?

In your bra?

jmclusky

zhyoo wrote: »

Anyone got this amex problems?

Yes, I've had problems paying in my local Morrisons using Amex, but my Visa card worked fine (both from my Apple Watch). I've not tried Amex anywhere else yet, but have had several other successful transactions using the Visa, including three in Switzerland (I was on holiday when Apple Pay went live - it confused the hell out of the railway station ticket office worker!)

Paul_1977

Landofwood wrote: »

No different to if your credit card had been overcharged. What are you getting at?

When you pay with Apple Pay, does your debit card get charged by Apple, and then Apple pay for the purchase.

?

NFH

Paul_1977 wrote: »

When you pay with Apple Pay, does your debit card get charged by Apple, and then Apple pay for the purchase.

Although you can use a debit card with Apple Pay, I don't see the point as you then lose out on airmiles, cashback or points using a credit card. When you register a credit card (or debit card) with Apple Pay, your card issuer issues a virtual card number that is stored in your iPhone. You see only its last 5 digits (called the Device Account Number). Apple is not involved in the transaction at all; it only delivers the technology. As usual, the transaction is confirmed between your card issuer and the merchant.