Author: Terry Harts
USAA’s new contactless card is expected to be available later in 2022. This new card is supposed to make payments at sales terminals better and safer.
What is a Contactless Card?
A contactless card is a credit or debit card that makes use of contactless technology to enable secure, quick, and easy payments at sales terminals.
How to Use USAA Contactless Cards?
Follow the three simple steps below to make payments with your USAA Contactless Card:
- Step 1. Look for the contactless symbol on the sales terminal when it’s time to pay.
- Step 2. Next, tap the contactless card on the sales terminal, or hold the card slightly over the contactless symbol.
- Step 3. Finally, you can leave once the payment is confirmed, which usually happens within seconds.
Where Can You Use a USAA Contactless Card?
Various merchants worldwide accept tap-to-pay cards, and USAA’s contactless card can be used in those places.
Here are a few:
Stores and shops
- Convenience stores
- Grocery stores
- Retail stores
- Drugstores and pharmacies
Everyday services
- Coffee shops
- Fast-food restaurants
- Vending Machines
Transportation
- Taxis
- Transit systems
- Gas stations
- Parking
How to Get a USAA Contactless Card?
According to USAA, the company will issue a new contactless card whenever a card is replaced or renewed.
How to Know If Your USAA Card is Contactless?
To determine if your card is contactless, check for a contactless indicator on both sides of your card. If the symbol is present, then your card is ready for tap-to-pay.
What’s the Difference Between USAA’s Contactless Card and its USAA ATM Card?
ATM Cards access a person’s savings account only, and it isn’t meant for making payments, so ATM cards can’t be used for tap-to-pay terminals.
On the other hand, only USAA credit and debit cards that come with contactless technology can be used for tap-to-pay.
Benefits of USAA’s Contactless Card
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Secure
With contactless cards that use NFC (near field communication), you don’t need to input sensitive card information when making a payment with a merchant’s terminal.
In essence, contactless technology protects your card from terminals that contain malicious software made to steal passwords, account information, and other sensitive data.
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Fast
Another significant benefit of contactless cards is that you can make payments instantly by tapping your card on the contactless-enabled terminal.
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Touch-Free
There’s no need to give someone your card at checkout, meaning you can make payments while the card stays in your hand the entire time.
Drawbacks of USAA’s Contactless Card
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Not available for online payments
You can only use contactless cards at terminals with contactless technology. However, you can still use the card number or digital wallets for online payments.
Conclusion
USAA’s new contactless card can improve the purchase experience at sales terminals while keeping users’ data safe from hackers or cyber criminals.
The card’s contactless technology prevents your password from being stolen at malicious terminals.
Additionally, payments with contactless cards happen within seconds, making the overall purchase experience quick, easy, and secure.