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Apple Pay Expands to Singapore Through American Express Partnership, Visa Support Coming Soon

Monday April 18, 2016 5:09 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today updated its website and its Apple Pay support document to note the expansion of the Apple Pay payment service to Singapore. With the addition of Singapore, Apple Pay is now available in six countries, including Canada, China, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Apple Pay is available in Singapore through a partnership with American Express, first announced by Apple in October of 2015. By partnering with American Express, Apple has brought Apple Pay to Singapore, Canada, and Australia and will expand it to Hong Kong and Spain later this year.

applepaysingapore
According to Apple's Singapore website, Apple Pay is currently available to American Express users in the country. American Express cardholders can add their credit cards to the Wallet app by opening the app and tapping on the "+" button or using Settings and tapping "Add Credit or Debit Card."

Apple Pay is limited to cards issued by American Express, but the website says Apple Pay support will expand to major credit and debit cards from top banks "soon." Visa is listed as a credit card partner that will support Apple Pay in Singapore in the future, as are the following banks: DBS, UOB, and Standard Chartered.

Apple Pay is available in a range of retail locations in Singapore, including Starbucks, FairPrice, StarHub, Uniqlo, TopShop, and Shaw Theaters, along with other stores that have NFC-equipped payment terminals. Additional partners like BreadTalk, Cold Storage, FoodRepublic, Giant, and more will be adding support for Apple Pay soon.

Apple Pay will also soon be available within apps, with Uber and HomeAway Asia set to be two of the first apps that will offer Apple Pay support in Singapore.

iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, 6s Plus, and SE users can now use Apple Pay in retail stores, and with the Apple Watch, Apple Pay is extended to the iPhone 5, 5c, and 5s. Apple Pay within apps is available on the iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, 6s Plus, SE, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, and both iPad Pro models.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay
[ 97 comments ]


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fermat-au
44 months ago
AMEX only, like Australia, where many store don't accept AMEX and therefore ApplePay, due to their high fees.
Rating: 4 Votes
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RedOrchestra
44 months ago

AMEX only like Australia, where many store don't accept AMEX and therefore ApplePay, due to their high fees.


European merchants also despise AMEX due to their overly high processing rates.
Rating: 3 Votes
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iGeek2014
44 months ago

Apple Pay = Flop


I disagree. I've been using the service since it launched last July here in the UK.

There are only a few things holding it back: major supermarkets like Sainsbury's (and Asda) don't have contactless terminals yet (although Sainsbury's are launching it next month). There are a few more banks that should be on board (Metro Bank, Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank & The Co-Operative Bank) and whilst a lot of stores have contactless payment, they don't work for transactions over £30.00.

Seeing as American Express are tending to launch before Visa/MasterCard in places like Singapore, Canada etc I'm guessing it works better abroad. From what I've read it's very hit and miss for people in the UK (the card will process via contactless and not Apple Pay or the retailer doesn't accept AmEx because of the processing fees).
Rating: 2 Votes
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Sefstah
44 months ago
I wish Apple would make something like Samsung Pay. Much more practical and convenient than Apple Pay.
Rating: 2 Votes
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patjem
44 months ago
Still waiting for the Spanish rollout. Hopefully it will follow real soon. NFC payments are business as usual here in Barcelona
Rating: 2 Votes
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slayerz96
44 months ago

I disagree, quite often when you hand over your card the cashier will reach over the till and place your card on the contactless unit. In fact you now seem to have more issues if your card isn't Paywave enabled as they will try the contactless a couple of times before understanding that it won't work.

Nearly every store here, excluding 7-11, has contactless terminals and it's much more prevalent than the UK

In most of my shopping today, I opt for PayWave when the option is available. Cashiers will usually just turn the contactless reader towards you so that you can tap your card. Otherwise, the reader is already facing you - true for many supermarket outlets.

I think the adoption of Apple Pay in Singapore will be quite fast, especially for people who already use contactless. I'm hoping that our public transport network will support it soon.
Rating: 2 Votes
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62tele
44 months ago
What difference does it make if they expand credit card companies, banks and credit unions if merchants aren't offering it.
At least in NE Florida there are few businesses that accept Apple pay. I continue to be disappointed in it's lack adoption at retailers and merchants. I need for Apple pay to accepted at grocery stores, restaurants etc. It ain't happening here.
It works great and I love it but it's a massive fail in terms of adoption.
Rating: 2 Votes
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CoolGuy9890
43 months ago
Just called Apple Support Singapore and they told me that Apple Pay is not limited to DBS, POSB, UOB, or Standard Chartered. When Visa / Master Card will come out as one of issuers of Apple Pay, it will work with any card just as long as its issued in Singapore, so banks like OCBC, Citi and others will work. This is great news for me!

(The funny thing is when I called up OCBC before calling Apple, they told me that I have to go to the Apple Store to register my card and the Apple Store in Singapore is not even open yet..):);)
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
peterh988
44 months ago

I disagree. I've been using the service since it launched last July here in the UK.

There are only a few things holding it back: major supermarkets like Sainsbury's (and Asda) don't have contactless terminals yet (although Sainsbury's are launching it next month). There are a few more banks that should be on board (Metro Bank, Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank & The Co-Operative Bank) and whilst a lot of stores have contactless payment, they don't work for transactions over £30.00.

Seeing as American Express are tending to launch before Visa/MasterCard in places like Singapore, Canada etc I'm guessing it works better abroad. From what I've read it's very hit and miss for people in the UK (the card will process via contactless and not Apple Pay or the retailer doesn't accept AmEx because of the processing fees).


I think we're lucky in the UK in that the infrastructure makes it work as easily as possible, probably the way Apple envisaged it working.

If more stores would get the £30 limit dropped, and the hold-out stores would get on board, (i'm talking about you, Tesco) I could quite easily do 95%+ of my purchasing with Apple Pay.
Rating: 2 Votes
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BuddyTronic
44 months ago

K…how about visa in Canada. Amex tap works no where.



News flash! Apple Pay soon to work with Diners card in Canada. When? Real Soooooooon!

Visa will work in Canada in 2 years, they promise!
Rating: 2 Votes

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