Linking Halifax Clarity Card to Google Pay: Clarification needed.

SydSnott

On holiday, I mainly use my Clarity card for local payments and take just a small amount of currency with me.
The benefits of the preferential exchange rate saves me a lot and recently I was considering using Google Pay and linking this card to it. 
I note that Google pay say that your credit card details are not visible to the merchant when using contactless payment, you are not in fact using the card, but a "Token".
Don't fully understand that and really don't need to except to understand if the same terms would apply to a contactless transaction using either the phone or the card itself.
Would I still get the same advantageous exchange rate?

[Deleted User]

They create a virtual card number that is linked to your main account and the answer is yes. 

SydSnott

Thanks Deleted User, I've downloaded the Google Pay App and attempted to link my chosen card.
Another snag arises!
I'm asked for a 6 digit PIN.
I have always kept my phone completely accessible, no PIN/Pattern/Finger Print/Facial Recognition required or wanted!
Google can't tell me despite phrasing my question in every way possible, if the required PIN will lock/unlock my entire phone for any kind of access.
I'm happy to have a PPIN lock on the App itself but I really do not want to have to use a PIN every time I consult the web, read an email/text etc.

Migster

With Google Pay you can make contactless payments of any value, so you are not restricted to the normal £45 or whatever the applicable limit is in the country you are visiting. This is because you are authenticating yourself by unlocking your phone, so it's a bit like entering a PIN for a card payment.

 As such you need to have your phone secured by a PIN or biometrics (fingerprint or face unlock). This is good practice anyway, especially if you are abroad, as if you lose your phone someone could potentially run up a large bill for you by making international calls.

SydSnott

I was afraid that might be the case.
The convenience of being able to pay with my phone on the rare occasion that I am without other means is not worth the inconvenience of being shackled to some unlocking performance every time I use my phone.
I really don't understand why it has to be a global lock when the Banking Apps I use each have their own individual security procedures . 

born_again

SydSnott said:

Thanks Deleted User, I've downloaded the Google Pay App and attempted to link my chosen card.
Another snag arises!
I'm asked for a 6 digit PIN.
I have always kept my phone completely accessible, no PIN/Pattern/Finger Print/Facial Recognition required or wanted!
Google can't tell me despite phrasing my question in every way possible, if the required PIN will lock/unlock my entire phone for any kind of access.
I'm happy to have a PPIN lock on the App itself but I really do not want to have to use a PIN every time I consult the web, read an email/text etc.

You should always have a security code/face id/touch id set up. Or your phone is a fraudsters joy.

When I set up google pay on Halifax CC you scanned card, then had to call Halifax to set it up at their end (app dialed no for you)
But you can not set up either Google Pay or Apple Pay without have security  set up on the phone...

[Deleted User]

born_again said:

SydSnott said:

Thanks Deleted User, I've downloaded the Google Pay App and attempted to link my chosen card.
Another snag arises!
I'm asked for a 6 digit PIN.
I have always kept my phone completely accessible, no PIN/Pattern/Finger Print/Facial Recognition required or wanted!
Google can't tell me despite phrasing my question in every way possible, if the required PIN will lock/unlock my entire phone for any kind of access.
I'm happy to have a PPIN lock on the App itself but I really do not want to have to use a PIN every time I consult the web, read an email/text etc.

You should always have a security code/face id/touch id set up. Or your phone is a fraudsters joy.

When I set up google pay on Halifax CC you scanned card, then had to call Halifax to set it up at their end (app dialed no for you)
But you can not set up either Google Pay or Apple Pay without have security  set up on the phone...

I'm guessing that the OP doesn't have or use biometrics on their phone - this is why GPay will insist on a screen lock or deactivate automatically. Certainly it wasn't optional on my old Samsung S3 LTE as it doesn't have a fingerprint scanner. 

born_again

If the Op has no security (lock screen etc) on their phone. Then that is just like leaving you card out for anyone to use.