Contactless

We’re here to answer all your contactless questions. But before you get in touch, check out our myth-busting FAQs.

Where can I use contactless?

The majority of UK supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, petrol stations, chemists, book shops, DIY stores, trains and buses accept contactless for payments of £45 and under. Just look for the contactless symbol.

Is the £45 contactless transaction limit available at all retailers?

Retailers will gradually adopt the £45 limit from 1 April 2020. The previous contactless payment limit in the UK was £30. If you are declined a transaction between £30 - £45 it may be because the retailer is yet to have updated their terminal. You may need to pay using chip and PIN to complete these transactions.

Can I use contactless overseas?

If your Halifax contactless card was issued after 17th November 2017, it can be used worldwide wherever you see the contactless symbol.

If your card was issued before this date, you will have to keep using Chip & PIN abroad until you receive your next replacement card.

Withdrawing cash in a currency other than pounds, or withdrawing pounds outside the UK, (at a cash machine or over the counter)

If you use your debit card to withdraw cash in a currency other than pounds, or to withdraw cash in pounds outside the UK, the amount is converted to pounds on the day it is processed by Visa using the Visa Payment Scheme Exchange Rate. We will charge you a foreign currency transaction fee of 2.99% of the amount of the transaction, this is a fee for currency conversion. We will also charge you a foreign currency cash fee of £1.50 for each withdrawal, except for withdrawals of Euro inside the EEA where you will not be charged a foreign currency cash fee. Where you elect to allow the cash machine operator/financial service provider to make the conversion to pounds for you, we will only charge a foreign cash fee of £1.50 for each withdrawal, except for withdrawals of Euro inside the EEA where you will not be charged a foreign cash fee. The provider of the foreign currency may make a separate charge for conversion.

Buying goods or services in a currency other than pounds

If you use your debit card to make a purchase in a currency other than pounds, the amount is converted to pounds on the day it is processed by Visa using the Visa Payment Scheme Exchange Rate. We will charge you a foreign currency transaction fee of 2.99% of the amount of the transaction, this is a fee for currency conversion. We will also charge you a foreign currency purchase fee of £0.50 for each payment, except for payments of Euro inside the EEA where you will not be charged a foreign currency purchase fee.

How can I keep track of contactless payments?

Contactless payments appear in the main section of your online statement within a few days. Some payments may show up in the ‘pending transactions’ section first.

Please note, payments don’t always appear immediately on your Mobile and Online Banking statements. If you can’t see a transaction, please wait a few days.

What Halifax bank accounts offer contactless cards?

Contactless is available on Current Account, Student Current Account, Reward Current Account, Ultimate Reward Current Account, Express Cash and Cash Card.

Is contactless safe?

Yes. All your contactless payments are 100% protected against fraud, giving you the same level of security as Chip & PIN – and more protection than cash.

None of your personal details, passwords or security information are shared. And you’ll occasionally be asked to enter your Chip & PIN if extra security is required.

If your card is lost or stolen, you’re protected against fraud loss – providing you take the kind of precautions we recommend and let us know as soon as you realise it’s gone. To minimise the risk of fraud we recommend that you never tell anyone your PIN, always look out for the padlock symbol when shopping online and always shred receipts and documents with personal information before disposing of them.

Could I be charged more than once for a transaction?

No. The reader only accepts your card once for each transaction. After the payment is approved, it won’t take another, even if your card is still nearby.

Occasionally a payment may be unsuccessful and you will be asked to try your contactless card again, but you only pay for a transaction once.

Could I pay for things by mistake?

No. The reader needs to be activated by the retailer before it can take your card information. Once the reader is active, you need to put your card very close to make a payment.

What if I have more than one contactless card in my wallet / purse when I tap it?

Card readers reject payments if they see more than one contactless card present.

To prevent this happening, we don’t recommend tapping your wallet against the reader if you have more than one contactless card.

How does contactless technology work?

Contactless cards have an antenna hidden inside the plastic. When making a payment, this antenna securely sends your card’s information a short distance to the retailer’s card reader. It doesn’t require you to insert your card or enter a PIN.

Can I use contactless on public transport?

If the transport operator displays the contactless symbol on their card readers, you can use your contactless card.

There is no daily spend limit, you just need to have enough in your account to pay for your complete fare.

Why are the contactless payment limits increasing?

In an initiative to help limit the amount of chip and PIN payments and cash transactions we have increased the contactless payment limit from £30 to £45 for individual payments within the UK.

For example, if you shop at your local supermarket you will now be able to complete transactions up to £45 by using your debit card for a contactless payment.

Will the new limit be available now?

The contactless payment limit increase will gradually be rolled out by retailers from 1 April 2020. It may take a few weeks for all retailers to adjust.

What do I do if my payment is declined?

If your contactless payment is declined, you may be required to pay using chip and PIN.