When traveling around Singapore, MRT is the most common mode of transportation. Besides being cheaper compared to other modes of transport such as offline and online taxis, Singapore MRT covers almost the entire country.
Now, Singapore MRT supports contactless payments available on BCA Visa and Mastercard credit cards*. With the contactless feature, payments can be made simply by tapping a BCA Visa or Mastercard credit card onto the contactless-enabled payment machine.
*Payment methods using the Contactless feature can be used throughout Singapore MRT trains that support contactless transactions.
To find out whether your BCA Visa or Mastercard credit card is equipped with the Contactless feature or not, you can check it by looking on the front card of the card. If you find a contactless logo as shown below, it means your card supports the contactless feature.
However, to use the Contactless feature on your BCA Visa and Mastercard credit cards, please ensure the following:
- BCA Visa or Mastercard credit cards are active
- Have made 1 (one) transaction using the “contact” method and PIN on an EDC machine/ATM
- Once it’s done, the Contactless feature will be automatically activated and ready to use
Maximum transaction amount using the Contactless feature:
- In Indonesia ( maximum transaction up toRp1,000,000 or 10x transactions per day with a total of Rp3,000,000)
- Abroad (Maximum limit according to the provisions of the destination country or 10x transactions per day for a total of Rp3,000,000)
Don’t forget to always keep your BCA credit card safe! Because the contactless feature allows for no-PIN transactions. If you lose your credit card, block it immediately via BCA mobile or contact Halo BCA 1500888.
Our editorial team and expert review board work together to provide informed, relevant content and an unbiased analysis of the products we feature. The editorial content on our site is independent of affiliate partnerships and represents our unique and impartial opinion. Learn more about our partners and how we make money.
Summary
Contactless credit cards are easy to use, efficient, safe and, at this point, ubiquitous. Learn more about how they work as well as whether your card is contactless and how to use it.
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards, or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.
Contactless credit cards are pretty mainstream in the U.S. now. So, how do these next-generation chip cards work, and what is different about them?
“Contactless cards make the payment process easier and more efficient,” says Daniel Mouadeb, president of U.S. Card at Capital One. “They eliminate the need for swiping at checkout or dipping your card into the terminal,” he says.
Contactless cards allow you to make payments by tapping your card close to a contactless-enabled point-of-sale terminal, rather than having to insert or swipe it.
At this point, you can assume that most issuers offer contactless cards. If your current card doesn’t have contactless technology, call your issuer and ask if you can request a contactless replacement card.
What is a contactless card?
A contactless card is a chip card with technology embedded in it that lets you pay over a secure radio interface, much like Apple Pay, Android Pay or other mobile wallets.
How do contactless credit cards work?
Contactless cards have “a payments app, per se, all built into the card,” says Melanie Gluck, a vice president at Mastercard. “An antenna picks up when it’s close to a reader and allows info to be transmitted to the point-of-sale terminal.”
You have to be within close proximity — a few inches — to the contactless-enabled credit card terminal for the radio antenna to pick up your card’s signal.
Contactless cards are called dual interface cards because they contain the now standard EMV chip and contactless technology. This way, consumers can use either method depending on what interface merchants are using.
How can you tell if your card is contactless?
So, how do you know if a card is contactless? Easy: Your card will have a contactless symbol — four curved lines that increase in size from left to right – on the front of it.
And to determine if a merchant is contactless-enabled, “just look for the contactless symbol at checkout,” Mouadeb says.
How to use a contactless card
When you go to pay, just position your card within a few inches of the checkout screen. Depending on the screen, you’ll either tap on, above or below it. When you tap your contactless chip card, a cryptographic code is created that’s unique to the card and to the transaction.
“The cryptogram can only be decoded by your bank to validate your transaction,” says Jack Jania, vice president of product management and innovation at CPI Card Group. “It cannot be replayed.”
This process can save the consumer time spent waiting to complete a purchase at the point of sale.
“The bank decides, ‘This is one of my cards, and this is one of my clients’ transactions.’ It’s a handshake between the point-of-sale terminal and the card issuer,” Gluck says. “All of this magic happens in literally 300 milliseconds.”
Where can I use my contactless card?
You can use a contactless card at merchants across the U.S. and typically anywhere — from fast food places to convenience and grocery stores to vending machines. And in some cities, like New York, Portland, Chicago and Miami, you can even use them for public transit.
Each credit card network sets a dollar limit for tap-and-go transactions. Mastercard, for example, has a $200 limit on contactless payments. If a consumer exceeds the card issuer’s limit, they can key in their PIN for additional security.
A contactless card “is designed for lower values, for speed and convenience. It’s not meant for major purchases,” Gluck says.
Bottom line
When you use a contactless card, you just tap and go. Just keep in mind that you’ll be using the feature for making smaller purchases. Think gas stations, convenience stores, grabbing lunch or buying a bus ticket or subway pass where possible.
The advantage? You’ll spend less time waiting in the checkout line, experts say.
Tweet
Share
Share
Editorial Disclaimer
The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.
Carmen Chai is a former CreditCards.com personal finance contributor.
On this page
- What is a contactless card?
- How do contactless credit cards work?
- How can you tell if your card is contactless?
- How to use a contactless card
- Where can I use my contactless card?
On this page
Jump toEssential reads,
delivered straight to your inbox
Stay up-to-date on the latest credit card news 一 from product reviews to credit advice 一 with our newsletter in your inbox twice a week.