A few days ago my bank called, asking about some suspicious charges. They were fraudulent. The bank had caught them in time so the thieves didn’t get anything.

The bank deactivated my card and sent me a replacement via FedEx. The new card is much different than all previous cards that I’ve had.

Its front has only the name of my bank and “VISA”.

Its back has my name, the card number, the expiration date, the CVV number, and some phone numbers.

And the card number isn’t embossed, so unusable in the old roll-over machines that printed your card number on a merchant’s bill. Haven’t seen any of those in years though.

The metallic plating on the embossed CC number soon wore off, making it hard to read. The CC number on the new card is durably printed in a contrasting color – easily read by me, but not seen by others during a “swipe”, because it’s on the back of the card.

All told, a big improvement. But somewhat achedemic since I nearly always use Apple Pay nowadays.

Not new, but it is fairly recent, in the last couple of years, roughly. As your other cards, if any, expire and get replaced, they will look like this, too.

Of all my bank cards, only one, a Visa ATM/debit from my credit union, has any extensive decoration on the front side. They gave me a multi-page book with different ones to choose from. My first one was a basket of kittens. There is also no option for a plain one.

Apple card:

Yeah, they have come a long way since the embossed metal plate crimped to a piece of cardboard.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Apple card:

Nice manicure you've got there.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: egregore,

The CC companies discontinued the acceptance of paper imprinter charges shortly before Covid. I'm glad those cards are gone.

I’m another for Apple Card.

You just open up your iPhone Wallet app and apply. In a short times, sometimes in just a few minutes, you may be approved for the card, which is a Goldman-Sachs’s Mastercard. It can be used through Apple Pay or you can receive the titanium physical card if you tick that option during signing up.

The card, as seen above, has your name, the chip, and the magnetic strip on it. Anytime there is a charge, you instantly receive a text with all of the information and a map of the location on your iPhone. This should alleviate any anxiety when you hand it to a merchant who walks away with the card to complete a transaction.

The card information is in the Wallet app, where you can have all of your credit/debit cards and more, including boarding passes. The card number you see for the Apple Card isn’t really the actual card number, but a number you use as the card number. If it gets compromised, you just go into the Wallet app and simply click on the “request new card number.” There is no waiting for a new card in the mail. Again, you just get another number.

The rewards are small, but you get them within a day or two of your transaction. If you use the card, it is generally 1% cash Bach, but using Apple Pay gets you 2%. Some merchants give you 3% cash back, like Walgreens and anything Apple, including AppleTV. They add up, and mine go into the Wallet app virtual card called “Cash.” You can use it like a card to make purchases with it. Mine is tied to my bank, so I transfer my cash back ‘earnings’ right over with just a few clicks.

Also, the Apple Card has no yearly fee. Again, in a short time after applying and approval, you can start using it. If you choose receiving the physical card, it arrives soon thereafter in a package. I’m almost always using Apple Pay for the higher cash back percentage and security, but there are still holdouts like Walmart where I’m having to use my card.

quote:

Originally posted by ftttu:

Also, the Apple Card has no yearly fee. Again, in a short time after applying and approval, you can start using it.

No fees at all. No late payment penalty fee, no currency conversion fee if spending outside U.S.A, no fees at all.

Re applying, they initially turned me down. I did not understand why, as I have great credit, so I contacted their very responsive support team. Turned out that I had a lock on my credit report with TransUnion. I put a temporary "unfreeze" on that, the card was approved almost immediately.

My new CC is mostly black. I think it has a magnetic strip (hard to see). But I won’t be using that, or tap-to-pay, anymore. From now on it’ll be Apple Pay or cash – nothing else. Online merchants will have to support iPhone click-to-pay if they want my business. The fraudsters will have to find an easier mark.

Apple Pay is so easy with my Apple Watch. Even easier than with my iPhone.

Another thing I like about Apple Card/Apple Pay is you don’t have to sit on hold forever to talk to someone for an issue - you just text them at your convenience.

Also, the Wallet app has all of your purchase history. I have no idea about other card companies, so all of these features may be common.

I’m interested to know how the OP is getting back to 1981 to need to use the roll type credit card machines.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:

I’m interested to know how the OP is getting back to 1981 to need to use the roll type credit card machines.

DeLorean. 88mph.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:

I’m interested to know how the OP is getting back to 1981 to need to use the roll type credit card machines.

DeLorean. 88mph.

To be fair, year wise it’s about the same trip that McFly made.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
I’m interested to know how the OP is getting back to 1981 to need to use the roll type credit card machines.

I think he's just making a comparison.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
I’m interested to know how the OP is getting back to 1981 to need to use the roll type credit card machines.

I’ve already said, “it’ll be Apple Pay or cash – nothing else”.
Read the thread.

And I’ve seen the roll-over imprinters about ten years ago, I think.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
I’m interested to know how the OP is getting back to 1981 to need to use the roll type credit card machines.

I’ve already said, “it’ll be Apple Pay or cash – nothing else”.
Read the thread.

You might use that Apple Pay or cash to purchase a sense of humor. I did READ THE THREAD. V-Tail got it without issue.

^^^^Yeah, then I could be a real joker like you.

Another growing trend is the use of metal cards rather than plastic. Apple's is actually titanium, other I've seen appear to be an Aluminum alloy. Much more durable, I've had plastic cards develop a longitudinal split many times. Maybe it's just my fat ass!

I suspect we will soon see all "cards" as nothing more than an entry in a database, no physical presence. Even now, an Apple card in the Wallet has a different number than the card itself, and one can change the number at will. Locking/unlocking through a mobile device is also becoming more routine.

VA just joined the fraternity of States that allow storing your driver's license in Apple Wallet, SO you dpon't need to carry a physical DL any more.

Just don't go anywhere without your cell phone! And a means to charge it, low batt can make you a pauper!

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
^^^^Yeah, then I could be a real joker like you.

We all have financial goals.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
Another growing trend is the use of metal cards rather than plastic. Apple's is actually titanium, other I've seen appear to be an Aluminum alloy. Much more durable, I've had plastic cards develop a longitudinal split many times. Maybe it's just my fat ass!

I suspect we will soon see all "cards" as nothing more than an entry in a database, no physical presence. Even now, an Apple card in the Wallet has a different number than the card itself, and one can change the number at will. Locking/unlocking through a mobile device is also becoming more routine.

VA just joined the fraternity of States that allow storing your driver's license in Apple Wallet, SO you dpon't need to carry a physical DL any more.

Just don't go anywhere without your cell phone! And a means to charge it, low batt can make you a pauper!

My wife and daughter got the titanium Apple Card soon after release. Time went by, and I noticed the paint wearing off of mine and not on their cards.

It isn’t that I want a pretty card, but I want one that doesn’t make me look like an idiot when I hand it over. I eventually got a new wallet, and the second card didn’t wear the paint away.

So, not too long after receiving the new card Apple sent me to periodically replace the old one, I was at a station in NC. It was in a Harris Teeter parking lot, but I can’t remember now if it was theirs or not.

Well, I inserted my pristine new card into the pump’s reader, and it locked it in during the process. However, it malfunctioned, failing to release the card.

I got the clerk to come out, and his only solution was to pull it out with pliers. He did it before I was able to recommend first adding protection to my card. Of course, my new card had plier marks down to the metal. You just can’t win!