On its earnings call, Apple has announced a further expansion of Apple Pay in partnership with American Express, to Australia and Canada in 2015 as well as Spain, Singapore and Hong Kong next year in 2016. Exact details are still murky — Tim Cook very specifically said ‘eligible American Express customers in these regions’ so it isn’t going to be as big as a rollout for Apple Pay as we saw for the US or UK.
However, it’s a start and will effectively double the number of countries with Apple Pay support, bringing the total to four for 2015. Apple remains ‘committed’ to expanding the mobile payments feature going forward. The American Express arrangement explains why Apple Pay logos started appearing in Australian Apple Maps. Tim Cook restated Apple Pay’s double-digit growth month-on-month in terms of transactions.
American Express Will Bring Apple Pay to Card Members in Key Global Markets
NEW YORK–American Express (NYSE:AXP) announced today that Apple Pay™ will be available in key global markets allowing American Express® Card Members to pay on the go with an iPhone, Apple Watch or iPad. Apple Pay is expected to be available for Card Members in Canada and Australia this year and in Spain, Singapore and Hong Kong in 2016. With Apple Pay, Card Members in these countries will have the ability to seamlessly add their eligible consumer, small business and corporate American Express® Cards(i) and pay with iPhone or Apple Watch in stores where contactless payments and American Express are accepted. Card Members will also be able to use their iPhone or iPad to pay within participating merchant apps.
When paying with Apple Pay, Card Members will continue to get all of the protection and customer service they expect from American Express.
“With our global reach, we are able to bring Apple Pay to Card Members quickly in these important countries,” said Tony Prentice, vice president, mobile products and payments, American Express. “We believe it is critical to be on the forefront of seamless and innovative payment solutions for our Card Members and we are pleased to be able to deliver on that with Apple Pay.”
“Our customers love their experience with Apple Pay and we want to bring it to as many of our users worldwide as possible,” said Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay. “With a global issuer like American Express, we are thrilled to seamlessly bring our easy, secure and private way to pay to more customers internationally.”
Just like in other countries that accept Apple Pay, Card Members who use an eligible American Express Card with Apple Pay will get these features:
Real-time notifications and details for purchases
Seamless connection to the Amex® Mobile app for enhanced account monitoring, servicing and access to available rewards and offers
Trusted Safety & Security
Whether a Card Member swipes, clicks or taps to pay, American Express has their back. With fraud and online protection, American Express is working to safeguard Card Members.
Security and privacy is at the core of American Express and Apple Pay. When a Card Member adds a Card to Apple Pay, the actual Card numbers are not stored on the device. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element on their device. Each transaction is authorized with a one-time unique dynamic security code.
For more information on Apple Pay please visit www.amex.co/applepay.
About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card and business travel.
[i] An “eligible American Express Card” means an American Express Consumer, Small Business or Corporate credit or charge Card that is not cancelled and that is issued to you by a subsidiary of American Express. Prepaid cards and products are not eligible. For American Express-branded cards issued by other financial institutions, please contact your issuer to see if they participate in Apple Pay.
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Thank God I didn’t cancel my AMEX after receiving my new MBNA card. :P
Interesting play as this eliminates the Canadian banks from the equation (at least for now) as the cards are issued by AMEX directly, not the banks. (Scotia offers an AMEX card but I doubt it would be supported as part of this announcement).
My GAAAAADD !!!! Bring it on Aussies – hope All Amex Card and not just the direct Amex cards – get this luv !!!
It’s only the Amex issued ones for now, not those obtained through a bank.
Now if only my damn bank will get on board as both my personal and corporate cards are Visa
In Montreal Canada, I know many places who do not accept AMEX cards.. So not really good news for Canada here..
In Toronto Canada, I know many places who gladly accept AMEX cards.. So really good news for Canada here..
Market share for Amex is pretty low in Canada compared to VISA and Master Card, so it doesn’t matter how many stores accept Amex…
Just last week, TD Canada and others accidentally leaked web site pages with Apple Pay support/info. Wouldn’t be surprised for Australia but would be surprised if Canada was AmEx only. I hope Canadian AmEx and Canadian consumers can use this heavily.
I’m hoping that the negotiations with Canadian banks are on-going and that this can give the banks and a little (or big) push towards getting the deals done.
I’ll be using my Amex card once Apple Pay goes live whenever possible instead of my bank-issued Visa
that would be incredibly shit. i’m not getting an AMEX just for this
Retailers in Australia hate AMEX because they charge a higher rate than Visa or Mastercard. Many won’t accept it (including my parents had a retail business when I was growing up). Without the two main cards, Apple Pay won’t get far here.
For Canadians and Australians interested in Apple Pay, the best way to push it forward would be to get an American Express card. In general, they are no annual fee cards and if you pay off your balance there are no fees. You can always give up your card once your bank gets on board but of course AmEx hopes you like it.
There are still a few places in the US that don’t take American Express but you have to look for it. Places that would be deterred from AmEx might also overlap with those that would prefer you use your debit card.