To pay with your phone while abroad, you typically have a few options available depending on the country you are visiting and the mobile payment services supported in that region. Here are some common methods:
Mobile Payment Apps: Check if the mobile payment apps you commonly use in your home country, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, are supported in the country you are visiting. These apps allow you to store your credit card or payment information securely and make contactless payments using your phone at supported merchants.
Local Mobile Payment Apps: Research the local mobile payment apps available in the country you are visiting. Many countries have their own popular mobile payment services, such as Alipay (China), WeChat Pay (China), Paytm (India), or GrabPay (Southeast Asia). Download the relevant app and set it up with your payment details.
Contactless Payment: Check if your debit or credit card has contactless payment functionality (look for the contactless symbol on the card). In many countries, you can make payments by tapping your card on the payment terminal. Ensure your card has international compatibility and inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid any issues.
SIM-based Payments: Some countries offer SIM cards that include mobile payment functionality. These SIM cards allow you to make payments directly from your mobile phone account. Research if such services are available in the country you are visiting, and if so, purchase a local SIM card that supports mobile payments.
Peer-to-Peer Payment Apps: Peer-to-peer payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, or TransferWise can be used to send and receive money between individuals. If these apps are available in the country you’re visiting, you can use them to make payments to local individuals or businesses.
QR Code Payments: QR code payments are widely used in many countries. Merchants display a QR code, which you can scan using your phone’s camera through a mobile payment app. The app will then prompt you to confirm the payment. Check if any local payment apps or your existing mobile payment apps support QR code payments.
Remember to consider any applicable transaction fees, currency exchange rates, and potential data roaming charges when using your phone for payments abroad. It’s also a good idea to inform your bank or credit card company about your travel plans to prevent any unexpected payment blocks or security concerns.
Paying contactless also offers several benefits that make it a convenient and secure payment option. Here are some reasons why you might consider paying contactless:
Convenience: Contactless payments are quick and easy. You can simply tap your card or mobile device on a contactless-enabled payment terminal, and the transaction is completed within seconds. This saves you time compared to traditional payment methods like cash or chip and PIN.
Speed: Contactless payments are designed for speed, particularly for small-value transactions. They are especially useful in situations where there is a need for fast and efficient transactions, such as busy retail environments, transportation services, or when you’re on the go.
Hygiene: Contactless payments reduce the need for physical contact with payment terminals, which can be beneficial for maintaining good hygiene, especially during times when health concerns are heightened. It minimizes the risk of transmitting germs or viruses compared to handling cash or using a PIN pad.
Security: Contactless payments use advanced security measures to protect your financial information. They typically employ tokenization, where your card details are replaced with a unique identifier, ensuring that your actual card information is not transmitted during the transaction. Additionally, contactless payments often have built-in fraud protection and encryption mechanisms.
Wide Acceptance: Contactless payment technology has gained widespread adoption globally. Most modern payment terminals and card issuers support contactless payments, making it convenient to use in various locations such as retail stores, restaurants, public transportation, and more.
Mobile Wallet Integration: Many contactless payments can be made using mobile devices like smartphones or smartwatches, which offer the added convenience of consolidating multiple cards into a single device. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay allow you to store your payment cards digitally and make contactless payments with just your phone.
Contactless payment should still work even if you don’t have cellular data when you travel. It only requires the connection between your phone and the payment terminal; however, you won’t get purchase notifications in the app until you log into Wi-Fi. If you lose your phone or your phone gets stolen, you can log into your account from a secure place that will let you deactivate any cards in your digital wallet.
Keep in mind, even though most places accept contactless payment nowadays, there might be times when the internet connection is down, the payment terminal won’t work, etc. and you need to insert or swipe your credit card manually. Also, depending on the country and the amount of your purchase, you might still need to use a credit card or cash.
