Payment Status
Slowly but surely, all my cards are transitioning to credit card with chips (usually chip-and signature). My favorite debit card, Charles Schwab, should be arriving with the chip this week.
Pro Tip: Charles Schwab checking is now .06% interest and still has ATM-reimbursement. This is great for international travel since you're not charged international currency fees.
So, that means that only my Discover IT card to remain without a chip (which will hopefully convert soon).
I was reminded by my trip to Canada how slow the USA has responded to transitioning to card chip technology. Canada has been fully converted for a few years now; and when Canadians see cards without the chip, they are slightly confused and eyes look dumbfounded. They don't know what to do with a credit card without a chip for at least two seconds; and Americans are confused on how to use credit cards with chips (for now). If you haven't been to Canada or elsewhere, they actually bring the charge machine to you so you can insert your card to pay (even allows you to tip by percentage). The merchant does not touch your card at all during this process. This provides an extra layer of security and privacy.
But as someone who would like to be walletless, Canada seemed to be more tap-to-pay friendly as well. Even their gas stations have a tap-to-pay option! (though I didn't know if gas was cheaper or more expensive compared to the USA...)
To be honest, when I see new credit card devices at merchants that don't have NFC capability, I get really annoyed and get a urge to speak to the manager. Then, I realize that their manager probably didn't have any influence on picking out credit card devices.
Canada may have tap-to-pay but Canada also still have functional pay phones...
But even those accept credit card with chips...
I'm still waiting on Samsung Pay for my Galaxy S6... It's pretty frustrating to have the capability on the phone and not be able to use it... I'm sure that the LoopPay rebranded by Samsung would have been sufficient...