What is contactless?
Contactless is a payment function for transactions of up to £45. You can pay for your goods simply by holding your card in front of a card-reader.
What are its benefits?
It’s quick, convenient and saves you time - there’s no need to rummage around for the right amount of change, or enter your PIN for most of your contactless transactions.
Is paying in this way secure?
Contactless uses the latest secure Mastercard technology required by the payment industry. In the unlikely event that it is lost or stolen, your card also has protection against fraud loss - providing that you let us know as soon as you realise you no longer have it.
Where can you use it?
Our credit cards featuring contactless technology are designed for use in most countries around the world. However there are a few countries where you may not be able to make a contactless payment. If you attempt to make a contactless payment and are unable to do so you can still make purchases by using chip and PIN or swipe transactions. For a full list of all the places where you can use contactless, including your local retailers, visit Mastercard Contactless.
Will I be charged twice if I accidentally double tap on the reader?
No. The reader and card are configured to ensure that you will only be charged for one transaction.
Can a purchase be made without my knowledge (for example, will the card-reader activate if I walk past it)?
No. Your card has to be extremely close to the reader - typically between two and four centimetres - and the retailer must have first entered the amount for you to approve.
What happens if I try to pay for goods over the contactless limit of £45?
For transactions over the contactless limit, the retailer will need you to make purchases using chip and PIN or swipe transactions.