[AYBABTME]

This, I'm living exactly the same situation right now.

Last time I came to the US, I realized my cards' magnetic bands weren't working. Would have never noticed otherwise, chips don't wear off. Had to prepare for new cards before my next trip. Chips came so long ago in Canada that I can't recall when. My surprise every time I remember they're still not here.

Then cash only places and having to receive coins; the worst. And then what do you do with the coins, hope that one day you'll get the chance to use them? That never happens. You must accumulate coins in your pockets. Accumulate discomfort and never dare throwing them away. And what's up with cents, what do you buy with a cent?

Back in Canada, all I carry is a debit/credit card (wink) and a health insurance card (wink).

[pyre]

> Chips came so long ago in Canada that I can't recall when.

I left Canada in 2008, and I don't remember chip & pin being prevalent as it is now, so it's not quite as "long ago" as you are implying.

But... you might have issues carrying just a credit card. Many places only accept debit due to there being smaller merchant fees and there are still many cash-only places (in Toronto at least).

And seriously? When I end up with cash / change in my pockets I end up using it. Your comments about "OMG! What do I do with physical money?! It's sooooo useless" are a bit hyperbolic.

[AYBABTME]

Yeah the hyperbolism was on purpose. =P

[bokonist]

And then what do you do with the coins, hope that one day you'll get the chance to use them?

You dump the coins in a change jar on top of your dresser. Then once a year or so, when you have accumulated $100 in coins, you bring the jar to a coinstar machine at your local supermarket and get the coins converted to an Amazon gift certificate.

[chiph]

I have an algorithm for minimizing my coin count. When I buy a soda or snack from a machine, I put the smallest denomination coins in first (nickles) and then work my way up (dimes, then quarters) until I have put enough money in to make my purchase. The machine gives me change, and as long as the item costs at least 25 cents (a practical certainty!), I'm sure to have fewer coins in my pocket afterwards.

[bostik]

> chips don't wear off

The chips may not, but the contact surfaces corrode. Then, when you're facing a slightly aged payment terminal with also corroded contacts, your card gets rejected no matter what you do.

So from my view, NFC in phone has two things going for it: it can be toggled on and off, effectively preventing drive-by cardjacking; and it is better protected from elements.

The fact that I have other personal reservations about contactless payments is different matter altogether.

[Serow225]

Pencil erasers do a great job to clean these type of contacts :)

[gambiting]

>>Would have never noticed otherwise, chips don't wear off.

Oh that's so not true. I keep my cards in my pocket and I already had to replace a few due to the fact that they wouldn't be recognized at terminals anymore. And I am a huge supported of chip+pin.

[fla]

Same thing here (but in Europe). I wonder if Apple Pay will really get some momentum here.

[chmars]

I am optimistic. Today, I have to remove my credit card from my wallet to hold it close to the card terminal, in the future my iPhone will be sufficient …