How come only American Express will list transactions when the physical card is used

[dontwalkhand]

I have noticed that with all of my Apple Pay cards, only American Express will actually pop up on my phone inside of Apple Pay, even when the card's physical chip is inserted (not using the iPhone to pay at all). I love this feature of Apple Pay, and does anyone know if other cards can do this, if so how to enable it?

None of my debit cards work, and only show the transaction when its made with the physical iPhone.

 

[nburwell]

I have noticed this as well. I believe it's specific to AMEX. I could possibly be wrong though.

 

[now i see it]

If you have the Amex app installed, that's probably why. My visa CC (with app installed) doesn't notify my like Amex does.

 

[mhn1234]

I have noticed that with all of my Apple Pay cards, only American Express will actually pop up on my phone inside of Apple Pay, even when the card's physical chip is inserted (not using the iPhone to pay at all). I love this feature of Apple Pay, and does anyone know if other cards can do this, if so how to enable it?

None of my debit cards work, and only show the transaction when its made with the physical iPhone.

I’m not sure what you mean. When I use Apple Pay on my iPhone and select my Bank of America credit card I get an email from BofA saying I made a transaction without the physical card. I haven’t tried my debit card so I don’t know if it does it for that and it may be depended on the credit or debit card issuer how they handle non physical card transactions. I didn’t have to do anything to get my BofA credit card to email those notifications

 

[dontwalkhand]

I’m not sure what you mean. When I use Apple Pay on my iPhone and select my Bank of America credit card I get an email from BofA saying I made a transaction without the physical card. I haven’t tried my debit card so I don’t know if it does it for that and it may be depended on the credit or debit card issuer how they handle non physical card transactions. I didn’t have to do anything to get my BofA credit card to email those notifications

I don't mean email, when I use the Amex physical card, it pops up right in Apple Pay, as if I've used the phone to pay. Right on the lock screen. I love this feature, as it helps if your card got lifted from your wallet.

 

[MacDawg]

My AMEX behaves the same, and I wish my Visa did as well

 

[dontwalkhand]

My AMEX behaves the same, and I wish my Visa did as well

I also love how instantaneous the notifications are with AMEX (because its through Apple Pay) compared to the other banking apps.

 

[bigjnyc]

My capital one card does it. But I set it up via the capital one wallet app.... In other words I clicked a button in the app to add the card to wallet, so perhaps that created a link.

 

[CTHarrryH]

I think it is just a feature that AMEX chose to implement.

 

[quietstormSD]

Yes I love this feature. I wish other credit card companies would do this.

 

[ecschwarz]

Most of my transactions are with Apple Pay these days—I feel that Amex gets the edge because of their attention to detail on the implementation, even though I try to use cards for what best fits the job from a rewards standpoint. I'd put Discover is on the better than average side—they don't list all transactions, but use the little message area under the card like Amex does. Most other issuers I've used (past and present) seem to do the bare minimum like BofA.

 

[cynics]

It just depends on the bank and/or card issuer. Some banks or card issuers only show the transactions done from the phone. Some will show the initial balance and others will wait for the final (initial charge while getting gas, payment prior to tipping).

Amex shows all transactions. My particular Discover doesn't show anything anywhere (I get an prompt alert from the app though). And Apple Pay Cash (Discover Debit) shows everything.

But it just comes down to they handle digital wallets. Amex used to have a way to enable it and disable it from within the app but as far as I can see that option is now gone. I never tried calling but it could be possible that is something that certain banks and card issuers can turn on for individual users.