Apple Pay

• Compatible with Major Banks and Credit Card Issuers
• Easy set-up
• Simple NFC-Payment System
• Reliable Security
• Apple Credit Card Option
• Apple Wallet
• Positive Customer Reviews

Compatible with Major Banks and Credit Card Issuers

Apple Pay is available to use with almost all major banks and credit card institutions, roughly totaling over 2,500 in the US, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, with more being added regularly. Credit card companies which support adding their cards into the Apple Pay app include: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Users are able to easily integrate their bank information through a simple verification processes. Some banks, of which Capital One is an example have created apps of their own to better accompany and serve Apple Pay users.

Easy Set-Up

Users can easily add credit cards to their digital wallet by taking a picture of their card from the app, verifying information which is auto-populated for accuracy and approving the card's addition to one's Apple Pay wallet. Information is stored on Apple servers, equipped with servers with redundant security measures. Additionally, financial information is not shared during any transaction, with a unique token generated by the app for each card, which improves the security of the app. All cards are consolidated into PassBook with the user's coupons, etc.

Simple NFC-Payment System

Apple Pay relies on near-field communication (NFC) technology to support contactless payments. This innovative technology allows you to exchange payment data between readers and devices that support Apple Pay. Wearable Apple products, such as the Apple Watch also feature NFC, allowing you to easily make purchases with your watch if you don't want to pull out your phone. If your Apple Watch is stolen, you don't have to worry about thieves stealing your information because the watch forces users to enter a password when it senses that it's no longer touching skin.

Reliable Security

The contactless NFC technology makes users' point-of-sale experience quick and painless. Different mobile wallet point of sale technologies have many debated pros and cons. 

When a compatible device is active (turned on) and detects the NFC at check-out, users are asked to provide their Touch ID (fingerprint) or passcode. The Secure Element on the device provides the payment system with a specific Device Account Number and a transaction-specific dynamic security code. Once the appropriate financial institution approves the payment (which happens in most cases within a few seconds) the payment is completed at the terminal. This process of encryption is in many ways more secure than using physical credit cards.

Apple Credit Card Option

Apple has a credit card products that lives on the iPhone; although you can also use a physical card. The card has no fees and features tools to help you pay less interest. In addition, the card offers generous rewards with unlimited 2 percent daily cash back whenever your iPhone or Apple Watch with Apple Card to make a payment; you can access greater cash back rewards when shopping with Apple and select merchants, such as, Uber and Walgreens.

Apple Wallet

You can store Apple Cash, credit cards, debit cards, as well as boarding passes, and tickets in Apple Wallet. In addition, specific apps take advantage of Apple Wallet, allowing you to quickly and easily make payments without having to pull out your physical card(s).

Positive Customer Reviews

The majority of Apple Pay reviews are 5-star. Satisfied customers frequently highlight the following:

• Convenience — sending and receiving money from friends and family, and making contactless payments
• Ability to easily make payments with Apple Watch
• Secure payments
• Apple Card cash back rewards

Customer Review: Tanner Hales from Pleasant Grove, Utah

"I absolutely love Apple Pay. I cannot tell you how many times that it has saved my bacon when I am in the store and realize that I have forgotten my wallet. I simply pull out my iPhone and pick which card I want, then boom. DONE. I have never had issues with the security of it either. I can keep close tabs on who uses it with notifications when money has been spent using my Apple Pay account."

Negative reviews are limited, but some customers have noted experiences in which it appeared that a payment didn't go through so they tried again, resulting in a double charge.

• Not Accepted at all Retail Locations
• Proprietary to iOS devices
• Limited use outside of U.S.

Not Accepted at all Retail Locations

Although the list of merchants that accept Apple Pay is extensive and growing, there are some retailers that may not accept it for payment. However, in most cases if the retailer's payment terminal accepts tap, you should be able to use Apple Pay to complete a transaction.

Proprietary to iOS Devices

As one could expect with a product designed by one of the major devices and operating systems, this app is not available or compatible with a device which is not made by Apple. Additionally, the operating system which is required for the app to function is iOS 8.1 or higher, so users with older devices will not be able to use Apple Pay at all. Estimates suggest that Apple devices make up less than 40 percent of the mobile market in the United States, so the majority of mobile phone users are left out of being able to use this service.

Limited use outside of U.S.

For those who travel internationally, Apple Pay is only offered in the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom and Australia.