Apple Card launches today for all US customers • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple Card launches today for all US customers

#141

Post by hvidgaard » Wed, Aug 21, 2019, 1:35 PM UTC

ghaff wrote: post #139

rconti wrote: post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

US chip cards require a signature in Europe virtually 100% of the time, even on low-value transactions that would be under the signature threshold in the US. However, using contactless avoids signatures 99% of the time. I think I had to sign once on my last trip at a contactless terminal.

That's actually my main use for Apple Pay. It's easier in Europe as a way to avoid having to do the signature thing (which the cashier is often not prepared for) with my US chip card. But it only works up to $30 or so.

What do you mean with it only works up to $30? I pay bills of several thousands with Apple Pay without pin or signature - I am from EU, but I expect them to work the same.

Re: Apple Card launches today for all US customers

#142

Post by js2 » Wed, Aug 21, 2019, 1:36 PM UTC

irq wrote: post #76

js2 wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Odd, I was given an option to make it the default card in my Wallet, but I don’t recall an option to make it the payment method for my Apple ID. I also don’t see anything magical here about how to add it to my Apple ID: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209225

You change the setting in the Wallet app. Tap your Apple Card, then tap the 3 dots in the top right corner. Press the button labeled “Make Default at Apple”.

I looked there. I really don’t have that button. At this point I’ve manually copied the card info for both my Apple IDs but I don’t think I had that button at any point. Maybe it’s because I have separate IDs for iCloud and iTunes.

Re: Apple Card launches today for all US customers

#143

Post by Someone1234 » Wed, Aug 21, 2019, 1:47 PM UTC

jxcl wrote: post #137

lode wrote: post #115

Tip for those signing up: when you sign up you agree to arbitration (ie. signing away the right to sue in court), but you can opt-out within 90 days. Opting out can be done right on your phone, through messages: https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/20/20813800/apple-card-pay-a...

For what it’s worth, almost every bank/card I’ve signed up for has this clause. Apple is the only one I’ve seen where you can opt out by text message, usually it requires mailing a letter.

It isn't worth anything. This saves them money.

Plus in all cases they bury it in the terms and expect nobody to notice/opt out. It is a practice illegal elsewhere[0] and Apple doing something to save themselves money doesn't make them the consumer's hero, it is still an immoral anti-consumer practice that should be illegal.

Now if they required that you select opt in during sign up, that would be quite different. But that's not the case. Instead it is on Page 14/15 on an agreement you don't even need to read.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_arbitration#Consumer_...

Re: Apple Card launches today for all US customers

#144

Post by zainhoda » Wed, Aug 21, 2019, 1:52 PM UTC

ghaff wrote: post #138

oblio wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why does it even have a magnetic stripe in this day and age, as a completely new tech product from Apple?

As others have said, still lots of mag stripe readers in the US. In fact, many Square readers still seem to be swipes. https://squareup.com/us/en/hardware/reader The main thing that makes me pretty much "meh" on the card is that the 2% is only for Apple Pay which I use for a tiny percentage of my purchases. So it's really more like 1% back and I already get that and more with other cards.

I think that's part of the point -- to encourage customers to ask for Apple Pay and get merchants to adopt it.

Re: Apple Card launches today for all US customers

#145

Post by fredophile » Wed, Aug 21, 2019, 2:00 PM UTC

hvidgaard wrote: post #117

fredophile wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm travelling in Europe right now and I can tell you that signatures are definitely still required with the chip. The only exception is if I use the one card I have with contactless payment.

You normally use a pincode. I cannot remember the last time I had to sign anything anywhere in EU when paying with a chip card.

Chip and pin is very uncommon in the US. It took forever just to get to chip and signature.

Re: Apple Card launches today for all US customers

#146

Post by cascom » Wed, Aug 21, 2019, 2:01 PM UTC

I’ve been using the card for several weeks, couple of thoughts:

- signup and activation is pretty slick

- Like the physical card

- privacy element if it is real is best selling point - not sure it’s real, but really the only reason I would keep using the card

- rewards are lackluster (but enjoy daily cash remit)

- can’t download your transactions which is idiotic

- transaction categorization is pretty poor at the moment (e.g. United Airlines (Travel) shows up as United Club (Food Dining)

- interest rate is high for those that might carry a balance

- ancillary benefits are limited/lackluster I.e. status in a hotel chain or insurance coverage etc.

Re: Apple Card launches today for all US customers

#147

Post by ghaff » Wed, Aug 21, 2019, 2:12 PM UTC

hvidgaard wrote: post #141

ghaff wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's actually my main use for Apple Pay. It's easier in Europe as a way to avoid having to do the signature thing (which the cashier is often not prepared for) with my US chip card. But it only works up to $30 or so.

What do you mean with it only works up to $30? I pay bills of several thousands with Apple Pay without pin or signature - I am from EU, but I expect them to work the same.

Per Apple Support (US page): United Kingdom You might not be able to use Apple Pay for purchases over 30 GBP.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207435

I've almost exclusively just tried to use it in the UK and this has been my experience at convenience stores.

Re: Apple Card launches today for all US customers

#148

Post by ghaff » Wed, Aug 21, 2019, 2:15 PM UTC

zainhoda wrote: post #144

ghaff wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As others have said, still lots of mag stripe readers in the US. In fact, many Square readers still seem to be swipes. https://squareup.com/us/en/hardware/reader The main thing that makes me pretty much "meh" on the card is that the 2% is only for Apple Pay which I use for a tiny percentage of my purchases. So it's really more like 1% back and I already get that and more with other cards.

I think that's part of the point -- to encourage customers to ask for Apple Pay and get merchants to adopt it.

I have no doubt you're right. And I'm sure GS wants to be in early on whatever change in payment mechanisms happen in the US over time as well. But it doesn't change the fact that it's not too useful for me today. Sticking a card in a chip reader may not be as high tech as NFC using a phone or watch (or even using a contactless card) but in practice it's pretty convenient.

Re: Apple Card launches today for all US customers

#149

Post by hvidgaard » Wed, Aug 21, 2019, 2:20 PM UTC

ghaff wrote: post #147

hvidgaard wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do you mean with it only works up to $30? I pay bills of several thousands with Apple Pay without pin or signature - I am from EU, but I expect them to work the same.

Per Apple Support (US page): United Kingdom You might not be able to use Apple Pay for purchases over 30 GBP. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207435 I've almost exclusively just tried to use it in the UK and this has been my experience at convenience stores.

Jeez, that really limits Apple Pay. I don't carry my CC because I have Apple Pay.

Re: Apple Card launches today for all US customers

#150

Post by ghaff » Wed, Aug 21, 2019, 2:28 PM UTC

hvidgaard wrote: post #149

ghaff wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Per Apple Support (US page): United Kingdom You might not be able to use Apple Pay for purchases over 30 GBP. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207435 I've almost exclusively just tried to use it in the UK and this has been my experience at convenience stores.

Jeez, that really limits Apple Pay. I don't carry my CC because I have Apple Pay.

I had assumed the restriction was more widespread but it seems to be (mostly) a UK thing for some reason. (Though France as well I see.) I hadn't really looked into it because I almost always have a card with me in the US--given how many places don't take Apple Pay--and most of my European travel is UK.

ADDED: Apple's support page mostly says "Your mileage may vary." I haven't tried to do larger purchases more than once or twice when they didn't work because I don't want to be the guy holding up the line fiddling with payment options. I don't know if I got unlucky or if it's the norm.