Contactless works through short-range wireless technology. The merchant terminal picks up a signal from your Card when it's very close to it. 

Most American Express products have contactless technology. To check your Card, look for the contactless symbol on its back or front.

Different contactless limits apply across most countries. At some retailers, you may also be asked to enter a PIN to validate higher value contactless transactions. Please always check in-store when making a payment.

In case contactless payments are not yet accepted where you are shopping, you will still be able to use the Card as a standard chip and PIN, chip and signature or swipe and signature.

Yes, it's very secure. Contactless payments use the same security as Chip & PIN, using dynamic and unique encryption key which protect against counterfeiting. If a fraudster tries to read your Card with a skimming device, without personal information such as your full name and security code, they won't be able to make a payment. Contactless payments are also sent to us for validation, which means they go through the same intelligent fraud algorithms and security checks as a Chip & PIN transaction.

We don't recommend tapping your wallet or purse on the reader if you have more than one contactless Card in it. Take out your chosen Card and hold it close to the terminal instead.

Not all merchants accept contactless. Check that the Card reader is enabled for American Express contactless payments by looking for the contactless symbol. If it is but your Card isn't working, you can request a new one by calling us. You can still use your Card with your PIN in the meantime.  

All of our Cardmembers are covered through our Fraud Protection Guarantee. This means you won't be held responsible for any confirmed fraudulent charges, provided you have taken reasonable care to protect your Card, Account details, PIN and any device you have stored your Account details on.

If your Card is lost or stolen, please call American Express immediately day or night on +44 (0) 1273 868 900. We will issue a replacement usually within 48 hours.

Yes, your contactless purchases are eligible for rewards like any other transaction.

All payments, including contactless payments, can take up to 48 hours to be processed and appear on your statement. 

Contactless payments are designed to let you make inexpensive purchases quickly and conveniently, so you won't always be offered a receipt. Although, most staff members will be happy to give you one if you ask.