Most major banks and credit card issuers now send contactless cards by default with new accounts, and if your current card doesn’t have the feature, you can usually get one by requesting a replacement. You can also start making contactless payments right away by adding your existing card to a digital wallet on your phone.
Check Whether Your Card Is Already Contactless
Before requesting a new card, look at the one you already have. A contactless card displays a small symbol that looks like a sideways Wi-Fi icon, four curved lines radiating outward. This is the EMVCo Contactless Indicator, and it’s the universal sign that your card can tap to pay at any terminal displaying the same symbol. You’ll usually find it on the front or back of the card, near the card number or the chip.
If your card has that symbol, you’re set. Hold or tap the card against the payment terminal where you see the matching icon, and the transaction processes in a second or two without inserting or swiping.
Request a Replacement From Your Bank
If your card doesn’t have the contactless symbol, the simplest path is to ask your issuer for a replacement. Here’s how that typically works:
- Call the number on the back of your card and ask for a contactless-enabled replacement. Most customer service reps can process this in a few minutes.
- Use your bank’s app or website. Many issuers let you request a replacement card through account settings. Look for options like “replace card,” “request new card,” or “manage card.”
- Visit a branch. If your bank has physical locations, a banker can order the card for you on the spot, and some banks issue temporary cards immediately.
Replacement cards typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days. Some issuers offer expedited shipping for a fee, getting the card to you in one to three days. Your new card will have the same account number in most cases, though the expiration date and security code will change, so you’ll need to update any automatic payments tied to the old card.
There’s generally no fee for requesting a contactless replacement, since issuers have been migrating their card stock to contactless technology for years. If your card is close to its expiration date, you can also just wait. The renewal card your bank sends will almost certainly be contactless-enabled.
Open a New Account With Contactless Included
If you’re shopping for a new credit or debit card anyway, contactless capability is nearly standard. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover all support contactless technology across most of their card products. When comparing cards, check the issuer’s product page for the contactless symbol or look for “tap to pay” in the feature list.
Once approved, your new card ships with the NFC chip already embedded. There’s nothing extra to activate for the contactless feature. Just activate the card itself as you normally would, and the tap-to-pay function is ready.
Use a Digital Wallet Instead
You don’t need to wait for a physical card to make contactless payments. Adding your current card to a digital wallet on your phone gives you tap-to-pay capability immediately, even if the physical card itself isn’t contactless. Your phone uses its own NFC antenna to communicate with the payment terminal.
To add a card to Google Wallet:
- Open the Google Wallet app and tap “Add to Wallet.”
- Select “Payment card,” then “New credit or debit card.”
- Scan the card with your camera or enter the details manually.
- Tap “Save and continue,” then accept the issuer terms.
- Verify your identity if prompted (usually a text code or a call from your bank).
Apple Wallet follows a similar process through the Wallet app on an iPhone. You can also add cards directly from many banking apps by looking for an “Add to Apple Wallet” or “Add to GPay” button. If your bank’s app doesn’t show that option, your specific card or institution may not support that wallet yet.
Digital wallets work at the same terminals that accept contactless cards. Hold your phone near the payment reader, authenticate with your fingerprint, face, or passcode, and the payment goes through. Smartwatches from Apple and Samsung work the same way, letting you pay from your wrist without pulling out a phone or card.
Where You Can Tap to Pay
Contactless terminals are widespread at grocery stores, pharmacies, fast food restaurants, coffee shops, transit systems, and most national retailers. The acceptance rate has grown rapidly, with millions of merchant locations now equipped. Look for the four-curved-line symbol on the card reader at checkout. If it’s there, you can tap.
Contactless transactions have the same fraud protections as chip transactions. The card or phone transmits a one-time code for each payment rather than your actual card number, so your account details aren’t exposed to the terminal. Transaction limits vary by merchant and country, but in the U.S., most contactless payments don’t require a signature or PIN for everyday purchase amounts.