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Testing our USA contactless Visa cards

Tampa, Florida
Level Contributor
83 posts
Testing our USA contactless Visa cards
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We (USA) have requested and just received contactless versions of our Capital One Visa cards. There have been stories of US Visa contactless cards not working in London. We arrive at Gatwick in September and wondered if there is any way to test our cards before we try to board a Thameslink train, or do we just try to use them and if they don't work we'll have to go back and get Oysters. How far would that be? Thanks.

London, United...
Level Contributor
6,340 posts
26 reviews
43 helpful votes
1. Re: Testing our USA contactless Visa cards
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You won't get through the barrier if the card doesn't work. You may wish to set up google/apple pay as a back up.

r c
Portland, Oregon
Level Contributor
26,279 posts
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
2. Re: Testing our USA contactless Visa cards
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testing something new is always fun.

consider yourself as beta testers.

good luck and have fun.

Dallas, Texas
Level Contributor
6,706 posts
3. Re: Testing our USA contactless Visa cards
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that would be a good test.

West Yorkshire...
Level Contributor
2,343 posts
55 reviews
36 helpful votes
4. Re: Testing our USA contactless Visa cards
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If you wish to avoid the embarrassment of "barrier says no" try them first by purchasing a drink or something.

But, really no-one bats an eyelid, as rc says good luck and have fun!

Surbiton, United...
Level Contributor
10 posts
28 reviews
19 helpful votes
5. Re: Testing our USA contactless Visa cards
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Even if the card works, will there be a foreign transaction charge every time you tap?

This may mean using your US contactless very expensive.

North Yorkshire...
Destination Expert
for Wiltshire, London
Level Contributor
33,222 posts
756 reviews
289 helpful votes
6. Re: Testing our USA contactless Visa cards
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Transaction charges every time you use it ——No the system is very clever and charges only once per day based on a single daily payment which is capped at a daily limit depending on the geographical extent of your travel....

New Mexico
Level Contributor
18,573 posts
100 reviews
164 helpful votes
7. Re: Testing our USA contactless Visa cards
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<Even if the card works, will there be a foreign transaction charge every time you tap?>

Nope, Capital One cards in the US do not charge foreign transaction fees.

Edit: even if you use a card (some American Express cards issued in the US come to mind). The typical foreign exchange fee is 3%, so 3% of £6.60 would be about 20p, hardly expensive IMO.

Edited: 6 years ago
Level Contributor
3,608 posts
8. Re: Testing our USA contactless Visa cards
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Buy a coffee at Arrivals and try using your card to pay contactless-ly in Costa Coffee or whatever similar coffee shop you find.

Stirling, United...
Destination Expert
for Stirling
Level Contributor
18,649 posts
7 reviews
29 helpful votes
9. Re: Testing our USA contactless Visa cards
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But is there a minimum fee per transaction, which could be a nasty surprise?

Illinois
Level Contributor
22,874 posts
15 reviews
29 helpful votes
10. Re: Testing our USA contactless Visa cards
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There's no fee with a Capital One card used in London. Unless there's a fee specific to using the contactless feature. (My Capital One card isn't contactless.)

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