Apple Pay Limit Rises to £30 in UK

It's worth mentioning that the limit is for merchants that use the original Contactless infrastructure in the UK, which is very prevalent. The low limit is a security feature, since contactless cards don't require any authorisation in order to make a transaction.

It is possible, for merchants with newer equipment, to take Apple Pay for higher value transactions. But it'll be a while before all the shops upgrade their systems…

Anywhere that has an Apple Pay symbol [rather than just a contactless ")))" symbol] there is no limit, because your fingerprint is used in place of your PIN.
(This isn't new, but I thought it was worth reminding British users because some aren't aware of it.)

I think this is one of the benefits of being an Apple Pay "official" sponsor that we see on the Apple.com webpage. Some stores who have the logo have sometimes rejected my payment, but this could be because their backend hasn't updated.

Up to £30 anywhere.. No cap with official retailers.

I've replied to this in the other threads where you have posted this but it isn't true. Morrisons and Lidl both display the Apple Pay logos at the tills and in store but are still subject to the limit and another member has also confirmed Waitrose is the same.

Any recommendations for any of the mentioned banks? I am tired of waiting for Barclays.

I've had mixed results with Apple Pay in the UK. M&S seems quite reliable in their big stores, although it recently failed at the new Simply Food at Newcastle Central Station. Costa also seems variable and the extra annoyance is that their loyalty phone app is quite slow - it often takes two attempts, by which time I could have given the barista my card for swiping.

I'm not sure how much of a benefit it is, though I tend to have my phone in my hand more often than my wallet.

If Apple et al can somehow combine apps that keep loyalty cards in the Wallet app with Apple Pay so that its a simple, single use of the phone (or watch) on a card reader, then it will immediately become more useful. Not sure if companies could associate bank cards with a loyalty account (would that bypass the security controls?) but that would actually make the whole process much simpler at many stores and at the same time encourage use of both systems to mutual benefit.

I use it at M&S and Starbucks quite frequently, and it works every time. Haven't tried it in Boots yet.

I haven't tried to use it at the new Central Station store, though I only get on a train maybe a few times a month.

What I still don't understand is that some of the UK's largest retailers don't even support contactless yet. I'm looking at you Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's.

I find this limit due to the existing infrastructure kind of funny. All I ever see is UK folks talking about how silly Americans are for not having it, now it's the fact you already had it that is causing problems.

What problems is it causing? People here are used to having the £20 limit for contactless payments so not sure why they'd suddenly have issues buying a sandwich or a coffee as they would have without Apple Pay.

As with all changes to technology it'll take time to fully roll out (it's been a little over a month since launch). I'm sure there are still banks, unions and retailers in the US that don't support Apple Pay and yet they have no obstacles in their way...

The reason a lot of these places have a £30 limit is because it uses the same network of wireless paying methods that we had for years before - these include credit cards, a "smart band" from Barclays I think and other technology - the shop can take the limit off if they want and some have and some haven't - though I can see in the future they will be removed...

Any recommendations for any of the mentioned banks? I am tired of waiting for Barclays.

First Direct.

Great Customer Service and they'll give you £100 for joining.

I've had mixed results with Apple Pay in the UK. M&S seems quite reliable in their big stores, although it recently failed at the new Simply Food at Newcastle Central Station. Costa also seems variable and the extra annoyance is that their loyalty phone app is quite slow - it often takes two attempts, by which time I could have given the barista my card for swiping.

I'm not sure how much of a benefit it is, though I tend to have my phone in my hand more often than my wallet.

If Apple et al can somehow combine apps that keep loyalty cards in the Wallet app with Apple Pay so that its a simple, single use of the phone (or watch) on a card reader, then it will immediately become more useful. Not sure if companies could associate bank cards with a loyalty account (would that bypass the security controls?) but that would actually make the whole process much simpler at many stores and at the same time encourage use of both systems to mutual benefit.

Living in the US it has been a struggle as we wait for merchants to accept Apple Pay (although the tide is painfully and slowly turning). My EU friends always ribbed me with the fact that you all had contactless for years, but Apple had just not jumped the pond. Now we see the truth, you have it but it is limited to what is about $USD60. With the prices of groceries where I live, this would be the same as not being able to use it. Although the 1 million vending machines and McDonald's that Tim quotes I guess would still work (I just never use either).

I find this limit due to the existing infrastructure kind of funny. All I ever see is UK folks talking about how silly Americans are for not having it, now it's the fact you already had it that is causing problems.