Contactless payments
Find out how contactless payments work and their set limits.
How do contactless payments work?
Contactless payments are a simple and easy way to pay for things.
Check your card has the contactless symbol
If it does, you're ready to use contactless.
Tap your card on the card machine
You'll need to tap your device if you're using a wallet app like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
Make sure the card machine authorises your payment
Your device will usually notify you to confirm a payment, if you're using a wallet app.
Information:
When you use contactless, some shops won't check with us to see if you have enough money in your account before you pay. So your balance could go below £0, or over an arranged overdraft or credit limit. Make sure you have enough money in your account before you make a contactless payment.
Contactless payment limits
You can make contactless payments of up to £100 from all our adult current accounts and credit cards.
The contactless payments limit for our FlexOne children's account is £45.
You can make as many contactless payments as you'd like in a day. But sometimes you'll need to use Chip and PIN to verify it's you.
Contactless mobile payment limits
You can also make contactless payments using wallet apps on your mobile phone, including:
There’s no limit to how much you can pay in one transaction using wallet apps. But some retailers might set their own limits for these payments.
Can you change your card's contactless limit?
We can't change your card's contactless limit.
If you'd rather not have the contactless feature, we can send you a new card with contactless disabled. To get a replacement card, you'll need to give us a call, or visit your local branch.
Remember, you don't have to use contactless to pay for something. You can continue to make Chip and PIN payments instead.
Current account holders
Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Sundays 9am to 5pm.
UK: 03457 30 20 11
Abroad: +44 1793 65 67 89
Credit card holders
Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Sundays and bank holidays, 9am to 5pm.
UK: 03456 00 66 11
Abroad: +44 2476 43 89 97
Is your contactless not working?
Try using Chip and PIN instead. Put your card into the card machine and enter your PIN.
You'll need to use Chip and PIN:
- when you’re using a new contactless card for the first time
- if you’re making a payment of more than £100
- every now and then so we can check it's you using your card.
How to get a contactless card
When you open a current account or take out a credit card with us, we'll send you a contactless card to use. If you’re opening a FlexOne current account, you can choose a cash card instead of a contactless card.
Once you've activated your card, you'll be able to make contactless payments.
How to activate your contactless card
You'll be able to use contactless after you've made your first Chip and PIN payment. That's when you put your card into a card machine and enter your PIN to pay for something.
Are contactless payments safe?
Contactless payments are a safe and secure way to pay. They use the same technology as normal Chip and PIN payments. And there are limits on how much you can spend.
Using contactless abroad
You can pay with contactless outside the UK. Your payment limit is different when you use contactless abroad.