Visa payWave lets you make contactless payments for purchases under $100 by simply tapping the card on the payment terminal at participating retailers.

If you setup Apply Pay or Google Pay, you can also use your phone to make contactless payments at retailers.

  • What is Visa payWave?

    Visa payWave is a contactless payment method using your Visa Card. The cards have an embedded antenna which securely transmits payment instructions to and from a specially adapted payment terminal. To make a payWave transaction, you simply hold your card against the contactless terminal, and you're done. No PIN is required for purchases under $100. The card is still able to be used in the same way as a normal Visa Card by inserting it into an EFTPOS device or ATM.

  • How do I use my payWave card?

    Contactless terminals at retailers will feature the contactless symbol.

    When making a payment, hold your card within 4 cm of the secure contactless reader. Four green lights will appear. This takes no more than half a second. You can then remove your card and a display message will appear confirming that your transaction has been successful.

  • What are the benefits?

    You don't always have to carry cash or worry about looking for exact change when making small value purchases at participating merchants

    • You can save time due to quicker transactions.

    • You are in control because your card never has to leave your hand when making a payment at the terminal.

    • You don't have to sign anything or enter a PIN for purchases of under $100.

  • Is this technology as secure as traditional Visa cards?
    Visa payWave enabled cards are just as secure as any other Visa chip card and carry the same multiple layers of security protection, including Zero Liability, which ensures you are not responsible for fraudulent or unauthorised transactions. In addition, with Visa payWave, you retain control of your card during the transaction, which reduces the risk of fraud.

    You won't be double-charged for the same transaction even if the card touches the reader more than once. The Visa payWave platform is based on secure EMV chip technology which provides both data protection and transaction security via the use of keys and the latest encryption technology. Transactions are processed through the same, reliable payment network as magnetic strip and chip transactions.

    Your card has to be waved within 4 centimetres of the card reader for more than half a second and the retailer must have first entered the amount for you to approve. Terminals can only process one payment transaction at a time, thereby reducing transaction errors.
  • Do I need to select credit, savings or cheque buttons when I make a transaction?

    No, you do not need to make any selection as Visa payWave transactions are automatically routed through to your Snow Star Credit Union account.

  • Is there a limit on the value of goods you can purchase with Visa payWave technology?

    Contactless Visa payWave transactions can be made up to a value of $100 per transaction. Any transactions above this amount will require you to insert the card into the payment terminal and enter your PIN.

  • Are there any fees for making a Visa payWave contactless transaction?

    No. Visa payWave transactions are free and unlimited, the same as transactions when the credit button is pushed on the payment terminal.