[grandalf]

To your last point, how is letting someone scan the magnetic stripe less spooky?

Considering that augmented reality app that translates words on signs in real time, I suspect there is far less entropy in the raised numbers on a credit card... though you may be right that the variety of layouts would make it harder than it would at first seem.

[mrduncan]

Technically, it is not at all.

Socially however, I'd wager that fewer people would let you take a picture of their card compared to swiping it. People are simply used to having credit cards swiped, they aren't used to having pictures taken of them.