Best Credit CardsContactless
Selected from 1,500+ credit cards for May 2024
Updated May 1, 2024Fact checked
By:John Kiernan, Credit Card Editor
|May 1, 2024
Reviewed by:Alina Comoreanu, Senior Researcher
Fact checked
A contactless credit card is a chip card that uses RFID technology to communicate with a contactless-enabled payment terminal to complete a transaction without the cardholder having to insert the card into the terminal or swipe the card’s magnetic stripe. Contactless credit cards all have a symbol that looks like a sideways Wi-Fi icon on the front of the card to indicate its contactless capabilities.
Best Contactless Credit Cards of May 2024
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card - Best Overall
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express - Best for Cash Back
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® - Best for No Annual Fee
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card - Best for Travel
- Citi Double Cash® Card – Best for Fair Credit
- Chase Freedom Rise℠ – Best for Limited Credit
- Discover it® Secured Credit Card – Best for Bad Credit
- Wells Fargo Reflect® Card – Best for 0% APR
- Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card – Best for Students
The best contactless credit cards are Chase Freedom Unlimited, American Express Blue Cash Preferred, Bank of America Cash Rewards for Students and Citi Double Cash, among other notable offers. Roughly 70% of new credit card offers are contactless, so applicants have a lot of options to choose from, including most of thebest credit cards overall.
Below, you can learn more about WalletHub’s editors’ picks for the best contactless credit cards available right now, which were selected from more than 1,500 credit card offers based on their rewards, interest rates, fees and contactless capabilities.
WalletHub tracks 1,500+ credit cards (other sites only consider a much smaller number of cards, so they naturally miss a lot of great cards)
WalletHub picks the best credit cards overall (other sites pick the best cards from their advertising partners)
WalletHub uses a sophisticated card rating system to objectively find the best cards (other sites’ picks are influenced by their own biases)
WalletHub has 100% editorial independence (other sites just provide a billboard for advertisers)
WalletHub does not have a conflict of interest (other sites are biased due to promoting their own lending and banking offers)
WalletHub has 15+ years of credit card experience (other sites simply don’t have the same expertise)
WalletHub's best credit card picks and ratings are completely independent and not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any issuer. In addition, our editors follow a strict editorial policy. Some offers may come from WalletHub's advertising partners.WalletHub independently collected information forsome of the cards on this page.
10 Best Contactless Credit Cards of 2024
Best Overall
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
4.4WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.4
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
User Reviews
3.2
Market Comparison
4.4
fees: 3.8
rewards: 4.7
cost: 4.7
Other Features: 0.0
Apply Now
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months from account opening
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Transfer Fee: 3% intro for 120 days, then up to 5% (min $5)
Regular APR
20.24% - 29.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
2% Cash Rewards
Bonus Offer
$200 Cash Rewards
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months from account opening
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Transfer Fee: 3% intro for 120 days, then up to 5% (min $5)
Regular APR
20.24% - 29.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
2% Cash Rewards
Bonus Offer
$200 Cash Rewards
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
The best contactless credit card is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it has a $0 annual fee, offers introductory interest rates of 0% for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, and rewards users with 2% cash rewards on all purchases. Wells Fargo Active Cash, which has been contactless since it launched in 2021, also offers new cardholders an initial bonus of $200 cash rewards after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
It’s also worth noting that you don’t need an excellent credit score to get approved for Wells Fargo Active Cash. It’s available to people with good credit, too.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for No Annual Fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
4.1WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.1
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
User Reviews
3.6
Market Comparison
4.0
fees: 3.8
rewards: 3.4
cost: 4.7
Other Features: 0.0
Apply Now
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after)
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after)
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why It’s One of the Best Contactless Credit Cards:The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the best contactless credit cards with no annual fee because it also offers good rewards, giving 1.5 - 5% cash back on purchases.
Plus, new cardholders get an introductory APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. When you combine that with a $0 annual fee and features like contactless capabilities, it’s a pretty attractive package.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for Cash Back
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
4.0WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.0
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.7
User Reviews
3.9
Market Comparison
3.9
fees: 2.1
rewards: 4.3
cost: 4.6
Other Features: 0.0
Apply Now
Terms Apply|
Purchase intro APR
0% for 12 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 12 months
Transfer Fee: 3% (min $5)
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Rewards Rate
1 - 6% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$250
Purchase intro APR
0% for 12 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 12 months
Transfer Fee: 3% (min $5)
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Rewards Rate
1 - 6% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$250
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why It’s One of the Best Contactless Credit Cards: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the best contactless credit card for cash back because of its impressive bonus earning rates in popular spending categories. The Blue Cash Preferred Card’s bonus rewards begin with a welcome offer of $250 statement credit for spending $3,000 within 6 months of opening an account, and they continue with ongoing rewards rates of 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year), 3% back at U.S. gas stations, and 3% back on all manner of transit expenses. The card’s normal earning rate, which applies to all other eligible purchases, is 1% cash back, whichis received in the form of reward dollars and can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
If your spending matches up well with Blue Cash Preferred’s bonus cash back rates, the card will be well worth its $95 annual fee (charged from the second year on).
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for Travel
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
4.2WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.2
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Travel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
User Reviews
3.9
Market Comparison
4.1
fees: 3.3
rewards: 4.2
cost: 4.1
Other Features: 5.0
Apply Now
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1 - 5 points / $1
Bonus Offer
75,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1 - 5 points / $1
Bonus Offer
75,000 points
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why It’s One of the Best Contactless Credit Cards:The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great contactless credit card for people with good credit who like to travel. For starters, it offers 75,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, worth $937.50 in travel through Chase.
The Sapphire Preferred Card also has very good ongoing rewards – 1 - 5 points per $1, depending on the spending category – and a variety of other money-saving perks. As a result, the card’s $95 annual fee is easily worthwhile.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for Fair Credit
Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
4.9WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.9
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Improve Credit by Paying in Full Each Month"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
User Reviews
3.4
Market Comparison
5.0
fees: 5.0
rewards: 5.0
cost: 5.0
Other Features: 5.0
Apply Now
Transfer intro APR
0% for 18 months
Transfer Fee: 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 4 months, after that 5% ($5 min) for each transfer
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
2% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$200
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good, Fair
Transfer intro APR
0% for 18 months
Transfer Fee: 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 4 months, after that 5% ($5 min) for each transfer
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
2% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$200
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good, Fair
Editors’ Thoughts
Why It’s One of the Best Contactless Credit Cards:The Citi Double Cash® Card is the best contactless credit card for fair credit because it has a $0 annual fee and excellent rewards. The Citi Double Cash Card rewards cardholders with 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay for those purchases), plus 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24. That’s about twice the market average. You can also get an initial bonus of $200 for spending $1,500 in the first 6 months.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for Limited Credit
Chase Freedom Rise℠
Chase Freedom Rise℠
5.0WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
5.0
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Improve Credit by Paying in Full Each Month"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
Market Comparison
5.0
fees: 5.0
rewards: 5.0
cost: 5.0
Other Features: 5.0
Apply Now
Regular APR
26.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good, Limited History
Regular APR
26.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good, Limited History
Editors’ Thoughts
Why It’s One of the Best Contactless Credit Cards:The Chase Freedom Rise℠ is the best contactless credit card for limited credit because it rewards cardholders with 1.5% cash back on all purchases. It also has a $0 annual fee.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for Bad Credit
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
4.5WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.5
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Rebuild Damaged Credit by Paying in Full Each Month"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
User Reviews
3.7
Market Comparison
4.4
fees: 5.0
rewards: 5.0
cost: 4.6
Other Features: 3.0
Apply Now
Transfer intro APR
10.99% for 6 months
Transfer Fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Regular APR
28.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 2% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Limited History, Bad
Transfer intro APR
10.99% for 6 months
Transfer Fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Regular APR
28.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 2% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Limited History, Bad
Editors’ Thoughts
Why It’s One of the Best Contactless Credit Cards: The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is the best contactless credit card for bad credit for two simple reasons: It works for contactless purchases, and it’s the best credit card available for people with bad credit. Discover it Secured Credit Card has a $0 annual fee, reports monthly to the major credit bureaus, and offers great rewards. Cardholders earn 1 - 2% cash back, depending on the purchase category, and Discover doubles the first year’s earnings for new cardmembers as an anniversary gift.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for Students
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
5.0WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
5.0
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Build Credit by Paying in Full Each Month (Students)"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.7
Market Comparison
5.0
fees: 5.0
rewards: 5.0
cost: 5.0
Other Features: 5.0
Apply Now
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 8% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$50
Accepted Credit
Fair, Limited History
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 8% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$50
Accepted Credit
Fair, Limited History
Editors’ Thoughts
Why It’s One of the Best Contactless Credit Cards:The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is the best contactless credit card for students, thanks to its low cost and generous rewards. It offers an initial bonus of $50 for spending $100 in the first 3 months. Plus, you can earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), along with 1% back on all other purchases (except for 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 10% back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats through 11/14/2024). The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has a $0 annual fee.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for 0% APR Purchases
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
4.2WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.2
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Finance New Purchases"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.8
User Reviews
3.3
Market Comparison
4.2
fees: 4.0
rewards: 0.0
cost: 4.0
APR: 5.0
Apply Now
Purchase intro APR
0% for 21 months from account opening
Transfer intro APR
0% for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Transfer Fee: 5% (min $5)
Regular APR
18.24% - 29.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Purchase intro APR
0% for 21 months from account opening
Transfer intro APR
0% for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Transfer Fee: 5% (min $5)
Regular APR
18.24% - 29.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why It’s One of the Best Contactless Credit Cards:The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is the best contactless credit card for a 0% introductory APR because it offers 0% for 21 months from account opening on purchases and has a $0 annual fee. This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros, Cons & Details
Best for Balance Transfers
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
4.1WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.1
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Lower Cost of Existing Debt"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.8
User Reviews
3.7
Market Comparison
4.0
fees: 5.0
cost: 3.5
APR: 4.4
Learn More
Purchase intro APR
0% for 18 billing cycles
Transfer intro APR
0% for 18 billing cycles
Transfer Fee: 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 60 days, after that 5% ($5 min) for each transfer*
Regular APR
18.74% - 29.74% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Purchase intro APR
0% for 18 billing cycles
Transfer intro APR
0% for 18 billing cycles
Transfer Fee: 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 60 days, after that 5% ($5 min) for each transfer*
Regular APR
18.74% - 29.74% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why It’s One of the Best Contactless Credit Cards:The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is the best contactless credit card for balance transfers because it offers an introductory APR of 0% for 18 billing cycles, with a $0 annual fee and a balance transfer fee of 3% intro fee ($5 min) for each transfer in first 60 days, after that 5% ($5 min) for each transfer*. You also get an intro APR of 0% for 18 billing cycles on purchases.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros, Cons & Details
Best Contactless Credit Cards Comparison
| Contactless Card | Best For | Annual Fee | WalletHub Rating |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | Best All-Around | $0 | 5/5 |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | Best for Cash Back | $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after | 4.7/5 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Best for No Annual Fee | $0 | 5/5 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Best for Travel | $95 | 5/5 |
| Citi Double Cash® Card | Best for Fair Credit | $0 | 5/5 |
| Chase Freedom Rise℠ | Best for Limited Credit | $0 | 5/5 |
| Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Best for Bad Credit | $0 | 5/5 |
| Wells Fargo Reflect® Card | Best for 0% APR | $0 | 4.8/5 |
| Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (see ) | Best for Students | $0 | 4.7/5 |
Contactless Credit Cards by Major Credit Card Company
| Credit Card Company | Contactless Cards |
| American Express | Most cards are contactless |
| Bank of America | All cards are contactless |
| Barclays | Cards are not contactless |
| Capital One | Most cards are contactless |
| Chase | All Visa cards are contactless |
| Citibank | All cards are contactless |
| Discover | Most cards are contactless |
| Synchrony | Cards are not contactless |
| USAA | Cards are not contactless |
| U.S. Bank | Most cards are contactless |
| Wells Fargo | All cards are contactless |
Methodologyfor Selecting the Best Contactless Credit Cards
To identify the best contactless credit cards, WalletHub’s editors routinely compare the latest rewards, interest rates, fees, approval requirements, and contactless features offered by 1,500+ credit cards, including cards from WalletHub’s partners and notable new offers. We then select the best contactless credit cards for each credit rating, as well as for each major credit card category, using two-year cost and other WalletHub Rating components.
How Two-Year Cost Is Calculated
Two-year cost is used to approximate the monetary value of cards for better comparison and is calculated by combining annual and monthly membership fees over two years, adding any one-time fees or other fees (like balance transfer fees), adding any interest costs, and subtracting rewards. Negative amounts indicate savings. When fees or other terms are presented as a range, we use the midpoint for scoring purposes.
Rewards bonuses and credits have been taken into account for two-year cost calculations. However, bonuses applicable to only a very small portion of cardholders are not considered. For example, credits and bonuses awarded for spending or redeeming rewards through a company portal with non-co-branded cards have not been taken into account. Similarly, bonuses and credits related to spending with specific merchants using a non-co-branded card have not been taken into account (for example, if Card A offers credits with DoorDash, this feature would not be factored into calculations because it is hard to assess how many cardholders would use the benefit or exactly how much value they'd get from it).
Cardholder Spending Profiles
Given that different users have different goals and are likely to use their credit cards differently, we identified spending profiles that are representative of different users’ financial priorities and behaviors. For each cardholder type, we have assumed a specific amount of monthly spending by purchase type (e.g., groceries, gas, etc.), as well as an average balance, balance transfer amount, amount spent on large purchases and average monthly payment. Spending assumptions are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Questions & Answers
Finding the best credit card can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered. WalletHub independently collected information for some of the cards on this page.
Most Popular
6
Upvotes
What is a contactless credit card?
Reply
6
WalletHub
@WalletHub
A contactless credit card is a credit card equipped with a short-range radio frequency (RF) antenna that allows cardholders to pay by hovering their card near a payment terminal, or “tapping to pay,” without inserting or swiping their card. Contactless credit cards have a small symbol on the front or back of the card, similar to a sideways Wi-Fi symbol, to indicate that they can make contactless payments. Contactless-enabled payment terminals may also have the symbol.
How to Use a Contactless Credit Card
To pay with a contactless credit card, simply tap the card on the contactless-enabled payment terminal, or hold the card within a few inches of the terminal. The RF antenna then transmits a one-time-use code - called a “token” - which represents and masks the cardholders' account information while facilitating the transaction.
For this reason, contactless credit card transactions are safer than swiping and just as safe as EMV chip transactions. Contactless cards also make for a much faster transaction than “dipping” an EMV chip.
Some of the Best Contactless Credit Cards
Overall:Wells Fargo Active Cash® CardWells Fargo Active Cash® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website- Terms ApplyCash Back:Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressBlue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Initial Bonus:Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardChase Sapphire Preferred® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- No Annual fee:Chase Freedom Unlimited®Chase Freedom Unlimited®Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
You can also check out our editors' latest picks for the best contactless credit cards on the market to weigh your options.
How to Get a Contactless Credit Card
If your current credit card isn't contactless-enabled yet, call the number on the back of your card to see about getting a contactless replacement. Some card issuers have transitioned all of their credit and debit cards to contactless, while others only offer contactless capability on some credit cards.
More specifically, many major credit card companies jumped on the contactless bandwagon by late 2019, including Chase, American Express, Capital One, Wells Fargo, Citibank, U.S. Bank, USAA, Bank of America, and Barclays.
1
5
Upvotes
What is an RFID credit card?
Reply
5
WalletHub
@WalletHub
An RFID credit card is a contactless credit card that interacts with a card reader over a short range using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. RFID-enabled credit cards - also called contactless credit cards or “tap to pay” cards - have tiny RFID chips inside of the card that allow the transmission of information. The RFID chip itself is not powered, but instead relies on the energy transferred by an RF-capable payment terminal.
If a credit card...
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1
7
Upvotes
How do I get a Chase contactless card?
Reply
7
Christie Matherne, Credit Card Writer
@christie_matherne
You can get a Chase contactless card by applying for any Chase credit or debit card. All newly-issued “Chase” credit cards and Chase debit cards have allowed contactless payments since January 2019. All of their co-branded credit cards do, too.
If you have a Chase credit card that recently expired, it's likely you already have contactless payments enabled on your replacement card. Eligible Chase credit cards that expired in 2019 were automatically replaced with contactless cards....
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2
Upvotes
How do I get a Bank of America contactless card?
Reply
2
Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator
@m_adams
You can get a Bank of America contactless card by requesting a replacement eitheronline, through the mobile appor over the phone at(800) 421-2110.
Here's how to get a Bank of America contactless card:
- Online: If you choose to make an online request, sign in to your online banking account and select “Order a new or replacement card.” Your new card will be mailed to you in the next 7-10 days, and it...
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2
87
Upvotes
What is a Bluetooth credit card?
Reply
87
1
WalletHub
@WalletHub
A Bluetooth credit card is another name for the type of “smart” card that loads payment information from your phone using Bluetooth wireless technology when you need to make a transaction. Some good examples are Fuze and Stratos. Their main selling point is that you can load lots of different cards to your account, basically turning many cards into one and giving you less to carry around. But one big drawback is the cost; for...
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6
2
Upvotes
Does Capital One have contactless cards?
Reply
2
Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator
@m_adams
Yes, Capital One does have contactless cards. Capital One began sending out contactless cards to new applicants and replacements for expired cards a while back. Currently, most Capital One credit cardscome as contactless cards.
Some of the Best Capital One Contactless Cards
- Best Overall:Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit CardCapital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Best for Building Credit:Capital One Platinum Credit CardCapital One Platinum Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Best for Students:Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit CardCapital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
Contactless cards let cardholders make a transaction without "dipping" or swiping a credit card. All you have to do is tap your card on a terminal. Sometimes, card issuers call this feature...
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Upvotes
What are the dangers of using a contactless card?
Reply
Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator
@m_adams
The dangers of using a contactless card have to do with the possibility of skimming. But even though it's possible for fraudsters to collect some data from your credit card, the information they would be able to capture is usually not enough to complete a purchase.
That's because a typical card transaction requires the account number, the expiration date, the security code on the back of the card (CVV) and/or the ZIP code from...
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How can I get one of Amex's contactless cards?
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Michael Battle, WalletHub Credit Card Analyst
@mikebattle
You can get an Amex contactless card either by applying for an American Express credit card, or by requesting a replacement card. However, these are not the only options.
It is worth noting that Amex began issuing contactless cards to new and existing cardholders a while back.
How to get one of Amex's contactless cards:
- By applying for anyAmerican Express credit card
- By requesting an updated, contactless-enabled card either online, or by calling the...
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Is Citi Double Cash contactless?
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WalletHub
@WalletHub
Yes, the Citi Double Cash Card is contactless. Citibank began issuing contactless cards to new and existing cardholders a while back. Using Citi Double Cash Card for contactless payments eliminates the need to swipe or insert the card into the payment reader. But Citi Double Cash Card still comes with both anEMVchip and themagnetic stripe, so it can be used for standard credit card payments, too.
To tell if a payment reader will accept contactless cards, look for the contactless indicator...
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Are contactless credit cards secure?
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Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator
@m_adams
Yes,contactless credit cardsare secure because they use the same security standards for transactions as EMV chip credit cards. Whether you're using a contactless credit card and tapping to pay or inserting your EMV chip card into a card reader, the sensitive information sent to the card reader is encrypted.
Both contactless and EMV chip credit cards create a unique, one-time-use code for the transaction instead of sending your name, billing address, CVV code, or...
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