Barclaycard (non) contactless in 2022

geoffplus

As at 25 July 2022, for the last month or possibly longer, Barclaycard users who use their actual card (rather than their mobile) to pay for goods, will find that contactless simply stops working. New cards will work up to a set number of transactions, but then stop. Once it has stopped, only chip and pin will work for the card. You can still use Apple Pay or the (dire) Android Barclaycard app to use the card details to pay contactless (on Android Barclaycard won't allow Google Pay or similar to use their card, only their own app).

What is concerning is that Barclaycard have been saying they are working hard to fix this, but some users are saying this has been going on since March 2022. I experienced it with my new card from end of June. It is also concerning that it took me a long time and some hours to get Barclaycard to admit what the issue was. I have been with Barclaycard for some time, but there are many other card providers whose contactless card does work, and who do allow their card to be used with other systems on Android so probably time to change I think

Maple08

For me, it's not major but the Barclaycard Avios card and its experience has been the worst due to their app functioning poorly. The app regularly has error messages and I cannot see my statements on the app, only the transaction history. The functions in the app being unable to me makes me think it's some beta product that's still going testing, but I don't know as I've only been using the card/app for two months.  

4justice2

Thanks for posting this! I had a new card in June, and suddenly the last three times I've used it it's asked for the PIN. Thought it was a fault with just my card. Has Barclaycard actually advised it's customers, as I haven't received any info about this from them? 

400ixl

Cards will under certain criteria require the occasional usage of the chip and PIN to verify the user, even if you are always under the contactless limit for the transaction. Although when the contactless transaction is refused and the request to use chip and pin it should then allow contactless to work again until the point where the requirement is next triggered.

I assume from what you have put that the resetting of contactless is not happening on the Barclaycard end and it is always stuck in chip and pin?

Have you checked if the Barclaycard app has the ability to switch on/off the contactless feature. Maybe that is getting toggled off, or if not, maybe toggling it off an on will reset it (you will need to use chip and pin for the first transaction after activating chip and pin though).

Failing that, if they don't quickly issue a fix as you say there are plenty of alternatives out there. Are there any special benefits that your card is giving you?

double_dutchy

I have had this problem since early June.

Barclaycard tell me (via "chat" through their app) that this is an issue affecting "some of our customers" and they are still investigating the cause. Seems to be a long time investigating, never mind fixing.

Where possible I'll use another card

Brie

Haven't used my Bcard for so long I wonder if I remember the pin.....But I do use my M&S card most days and I get asked about 50% of the time for the pin.  In one shop the woman at the till commented that this has been happening with a lot of people's cards.  Her opinion was that it's linked to the limit for contactless going up to £100 so more checks are being done to prevent fraud.  

Sandtree

400ixl said:

Cards will under certain criteria require the occasional usage of the chip and PIN to verify the user, even if you are always under the contactless limit for the transaction. Although when the contactless transaction is refused and the request to use chip and pin it should then allow contactless to work again until the point where the requirement is next triggered.

I assume from what you have put that the resetting of contactless is not happening on the Barclaycard end and it is always stuck in chip and pin?

Have you checked if the Barclaycard app has the ability to switch on/off the contactless feature. Maybe that is getting toggled off, or if not, maybe toggling it off an on will reset it (you will need to use chip and pin for the first transaction after activating chip and pin though).

Failing that, if they don't quickly issue a fix as you say there are plenty of alternatives out there. Are there any special benefits that your card is giving you?

Its a known issue according to https://status.uk.barclays... its been flagged on there for at least a few weeks

wiseonesomeofthetime

It was the additional full stops that broke it - https://status.uk.barclays/

Former_MSE_Sophie

Thousands of Barclaycard customers have been unable to use the contactless option on their credit card following a technical glitch. The issue is ongoing but here's what we know.

Read the full story:

Thousands of Barclaycard customers left unable to use contactless following a technical glitch 

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.

miller

My old Barlcaycard is manufactured by Thales which I've not seen these problems with. Have Barclaycard changed their card manufacturer - what does it say on the back of these newer cards?

Either that or they've changed the way they're provisioned.

S_t_e_v_e

miller said:

My old Barlcaycard is manufactured by Thales which I've not seen these problems with. Have Barclaycard changed their card manufacturer - what does it say on the back of these newer cards?

Either that or they've changed the way they're provisioned.

Still says Thales on the back. My 5th replacement card since March because none of the staff I spoke to mentioned anything about this problem and just wanted to send a new card. Each one worked for a week or so and then stopped working. My wifes joint card on the same account has never been affected.