A store clerk holds a card reader as a woman pays with a contactless credit card.

What is a Contactless Credit Card?

7 min read

Last Updated: August 20, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

A contactless credit card allows you to make a secure transaction without swiping or inserting your chip.
If you see the contactless symbol on the back of your payment card and on the payment reader, you can tap to pay.
Contactless pay is widely accepted, but you can swipe or insert your contactless chip card when needed.

If you’ve ever seen someone pay for their morning coffee with a simple tap of their credit card or debit card, you likely understand the appeal of contactless pay. Paying with a quick tap, instead of using an EMV chip reader or swiping the magnetic stripe, seems so seamless and easy. But is it as secure as it is convenient? Read along for everything you need to know about contactless credit cards.

What are contactless credit cards?

A contactless credit card, or a “tap-to-pay” card, is typically an EMV chip card with a contactless option.

You may make a quick payment by simply tapping or waving your contactless card over a payment reader. Contactless credit cards use Near Field Communication (NFC) to transmit payment information, including necessary credit card information, instantly when you make a purchase. Generally, contactless payment is fast and easy.

Some debit cards also use contactless payment technology.

Does Discover^® have contactless cards?

Yes, Discover^® offers contactless credit cards. You can tap to pay with your contactless Discover^® Card¹ at participating terminals for a quick checkout. Not all Discover Cards offer contactless pay, so it’s a good idea to confirm before trying to tap your card.

If you have a Discover Card and want to know if it has tap-to-pay capabilities, just look for the EMVCo Contactless Indicator—four semi-circles that grow bigger from left to right—on the back of your card.

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How do you use a contactless credit card?

A contactless credit card is a quick and easy payment method.

First, make sure the retailer accepts contactless payments. Look near the register for the EMVCo Contactless Symbol, which typically resembles the wireless internet symbol rotated clockwise and a hand holding a card. If you’re not sure, ask the cashier. Contactless credit cards typically have EMV chips, so you may swipe or insert your card at the card reader if the store doesn’t accept tap-to-pay.

When you’re ready to make a contactless credit card payment, look for the contactless payment symbol on the back of your card. Then, you may tap that symbol on the contactless payment reader or hold your card above it until you receive confirmation. When the payment is approved, you may see a message on the screen or a green light, or hear a beep.

Contactless debit card transactions work the same way. Just tap your bank card or hold it above the contactless payment symbol until the payment goes through.

How do you ensure charges go to your contactless card and not your other cards?

Contactless payment systems are a simple way to pay on the go, but it’s possible for contactless technology to pick up and "read" other nearby credit cards and debit cards.

The contactless payment method only works if your card is very close to the reader, meaning you don’t have to worry about accidentally paying for someone who’s standing ahead of you in line. But if you have another contactless credit or bank card in your wallet and you use your whole wallet to pay, the card reader may charge the wrong card.

That’s why it’s important to make sure that only the card you’d like to use for the contactless purchase is close to the contactless reader when it comes time to checkout.

Are contactless credit cards as secure as inserting your card?

Adopting a new type of technology can raise questions about security. Is contactless payment technology safe?

In short: yes. NFC technology doesn’t require a physical connection between your device and the participating merchant’s checkout terminal to complete a purchase. Each contactless transaction produces a one-time encrypted security code that transmits only the necessary payment information—like your credit card number—at the payment terminal. Mobile payments typically use a similar technology.

A contactless credit card generally provides the same level of security against credit card fraud and identity theft you’re used to receiving from other EMV cards.

Sometimes, when you make a contactless purchase, the merchant may ask for a signature as an additional verification method. As always, it’s a good idea to check your statements carefully through your online banking tool to make sure there’s no unusual activity.

How can you request contactless cards?

As contactless technology has become mainstream, many credit card issuers have begun automatically sending out cards with contactless payment capability. So, you may not have to request a new card.

If you don’t see an EMVCo Contactless Symbol on your credit card, you may be able request a contactless product in your credit card issuer’s online account portal, online banking tools, or a mobile banking app.

If you request a contactless Discover Card, will your account information change?

You don’t need to open up a new Discover account to take advantage of contactless payment technology. If your Discover Card doesn’t have contactless payment capability, you may request a replacement that does. The contactless payment card you receive will have the same number and CVV code. A new contactless card from Discover also won’t have an impact on your credit score, since you maintain the same account information.

Is contactless your only payment option?

Nope. You don’t have to use contactless pay just because your credit card offers it. Contactless cards are usually standard credit cards. Depending on a merchant’s payment terminal, you may also insert your chip into the card reader, swipe, or make a mobile payment.

Not all merchants accept contactless payments. A cashier or payment terminal may direct you to pay via swipe or chip. If a contactless transaction is declined, the merchant may ask you to swipe or insert your card instead. If the card transaction is still declined, there may be a problem with your card.

You may also link contactless credit cards (or even a debit card without a contactless feature) to digital wallets on your mobile phone or wearable device using Google Pay^™, Samsung Pay^™, or Apple Pay^®. Then, you may pay by tapping your device instead of a physical card. If you pay with your digital wallet, make sure you store your physical card in a safe spot and don’t lose it.

If you suspect your card has been lost or stolen, or you think someone else may have accessed your credit card information, alert your credit card company immediately to get a replacement card.

Can a contactless card be used for online or over-the-phone purchases?

Yes. Contactless credit cards are just like normal credit cards, complete with a 16-digit card number, expiration date, and CVV code. You may use them for any credit card purchase, including online and over-the-phone transactions.

Where can you tap to pay with your contactless card?

Many places, like restaurants, grocery stores, and clothing stores, have contactless card readers, so you likely have many opportunities to use a contactless credit card throughout your day. Wherever you are, look for the contactless symbol on the payment terminal during checkout.

Contactless payment technology is also used on major transit systems in parts of the U.S. and worldwide. For example, the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority has used the technology for years and, according to NYC311, contactless payments will soon replace the MetroCard.

Did you know?

As with any card, contactless options still leave you eligible to earn credit card rewards for your purchases, which will show up on your monthly statement. These cards may also have a specific balance transfer APR, no annual fee, and more.

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The bottom line

Whether you’re buying dinner or getting on the subway, a contactless card is a quick, easy, and secure way to pay. You may already have a contactless credit card—just look for the EMVCo Contactless Symbol to find out. If not, you may contact your credit card issuer for a replacement card if you want a new, convenient payment method.

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