Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of Visa payWave for cardholders?

The benefits of Visa payWave include:

Shorter queuing times
Quicker transaction times
Added convenience

What will the Visa payWave card look like?

The Visa payWave card will feature the distinctive indicator mark. Cards which feature this symbol have a tiny antenna embedded into the chip, which securely transmits payment instructions to and from a specially adapted card terminal.

In the future, Visa payWave is set to become a standard feature on many Visa debit and credit cards. In the meantime, participating banks will be offering Visa payWave to a selection of customers.

Will I have to pay extra for Visa payWave?

Visa Europe has no influence over the charges or fees set by banks and card issuers. However, we do not expect that banks will charge extra for Visa payWave.

How do I get Visa payWave?

How and when your card is issued will depend on your bank or card issuer. If you are interested in experiencing Visa payWave for yourself, you should look out for communications from your bank or any related advertisements.

How does Visa payWave work?

Visa payWave uses highly secure short range wireless technology to exchange payment instructions between a chip card and a chip card terminal. For payments of less than or €15 (or £10 or less in the UK), you simply ‘wave’ your card in front of the card reader. The transaction takes place in less than a second.

Although the transaction does not require a PIN, several sophisticated anti-fraud measures have been incorporated. For example, a pre-set limit for Visa payWave transactions will be set by the card issuer. This limit is automatically re-set each time a standard chip and PIN transaction is conducted. If this pre-set limit is ever exceeded, the Visa payWave terminal will automatically ask for a standard chip and PIN transaction to be conducted.

What consumer research has been conducted?

Visa has already worked with banks to introduce Visa payWave to cardholders in Asia and the USA. As part of this process a significant amount of research has been conducted. It shows that they are receptive to Visa payWave, they welcome the speed and convenience, and have complete confidence in the Visa brand.

Here in Europe, we have supplemented these learnings with extensive consumer research.

Can tips or gratuities be added to a Visa payWave payment?

Yes, subject to the capability of the terminal.

The tip would need to be added before the card is presented for payment, as the total would be subject to the €15 maximum (£10 in the UK).

Can I get cash back with Visa payWave?

Yes if the card is being used for a normal chip and PIN transaction above €15 (or £10 in the UK) at point of sale wherever cash back is available. However, if you use your card for a contactless transaction below this amount, you will not be able to get cash back. You will be able to use your Visa payWave cards for withdrawals at ATMs as you would with a standard Visa payWave card.

Will credit card issuers treat Visa payWave payments as cash transactions?

No. Visa payWave payments will be treated just like any other purchase – unless, of course, the transaction is usually treated as cash (e.g. a foreign currency advance).

How do I know that only one Visa payWave transaction has been conducted?

All Visa payWave terminals are tested and certified to confirm that a card is only read once before the transaction is concluded. Visa payWave terminals are designed to only make one transaction per card. As a safeguard, each transaction must be complete or void before another one can take place.

Will I get a receipt for a Visa payWave transaction?

Many terminals will be capable of producing a receipt, in which case you can always request one from the merchant. Other terminals such as vending machines may not be capable of printing a receipt. However, clear messages and indicators on the card reader will confirm that a transaction has been successful.

Will my statement show which payments were made using Visa payWave?

All transactions will appear on the card statement like any other transaction made on the same Visa credit or debit card.

What types of retailer will accept Visa payWave?

We expect Visa payWave to be popular in busy locations where payment values tend to be small, and speed of service is a real priority.

Typically, this may include fast food outlets, sandwich shops, coffee bars, vending machines, car parking machines, convenience stores, newsagents, pubs, and transport providers.

Can I use Visa payWave abroad?

Your card will soon be accepted for Visa payWave transactions wherever you see the symbol – at home or around the world.

Of course, you can still use your Visa card for normal chip and PIN, internet, telephone or mail order wherever you see the Visa sign – at approximately 24 million merchants worldwide.

If I get too close to a Visa payWave terminal, is there any risk of my card getting ‘charged’ accidentally?

No. We have designed Visa payWave to ensure that the cardholder is always in control. To conduct a transaction, your card must be ‘waved’ right in front of the card reader (within five centimetres) for more than half a second.

If a merchant doesn’t have a Visa payWave terminal, can I still use my card?

Yes. If the merchant accepts Visa, you can still make chip and PIN payment as normal.

How secure is my card?

Very secure. The chip on your card uses the highest level of cryptography and the latest smart card technologies. Visa payWave uses the same secure technology that’s behind chip and PIN.

Could the information from Visa payWave be intercepted during a transaction?

Visa payWave only works when a card is in very close proximity with a card reader – making it virtually impossible for the payment information to be intercepted en route.

Also, each card reader contains security technology based on industry-wide standards.

Visa has worked with a wide range of industry bodies and technology companies to ensure only the best security solutions are adopted.