Our Absa contactless enabled debit cards allow you to make payments of R200 or less with a simple tap against a contactless enabled Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal. You can make contactless purchases at any participating retail outlet, take a ride using a participating transport operator and use your card to pay for the fare.
How to get it and what you can expect
What you need to know about contactless payments
Where can I get a contactless enabled card? | Contactless enabled cards are available at all our branches. |
How do I know if my card is contactless enabled? | If your card displays the above symbol, it is contactless enable |
Where can I use my contactless card? | Look out for the contactless payment symbol at participating: -petrol station convenience stores -supermarket kiosks -take-away coffee shops -fast-food restaurants -cinema counters -bus or taxi operators |
Why has the contactless feature been added to our debit cards? | We continuously strive to simplify your banking and transacting experience. Adding the contactless functionality to debit cards allows you to choose how you pay for your transport or retail items. When you come across a retailer that accepts contactless payments you can pay for low value goods or services much faster. |
Can I use my contactless enabled card to pay for transport? | Yes, your contactless card can be used to pay for your transport fare if it costs R200 or less and if the transport operator allows contactless payments. Look out for the contactless symbol at participating public transport operators. |
Can I use my contactless enabled card to buy from retailers? | Yes, your contactless card can be used to pay for retail purchases of R200 or less at participating retailers. |
How do I transfer money to the contactless portion of my card? | You can transfer money to the contactless portion of your card through Absa Online, Absa ATM for fund transfers, Absa Cash Acceptor ATM for cash deposits, Cellphone Banking, Telephone Banking and at participating retailers. |
Once I’ve transferred money to my card, how soon can I start using the contactless functionality? | If you transfer funds to your card through our cash accepting ATM, at any of our ATMs or at participating retailers your balance will be updated automatically and you can immediately use your contactless function. However if you transfer funds through Cellphone Banking, Telephone Banking or Absa Online, you will need to visit any of our ATMs to update your balance before you can use the contactless function. |
How do I check my balance on the contactless portion of my card? | You can check your balance at any Absa ATM or at Absa participating retailers that display the contactless symbol. Select ‘contactless’ from the available options and then select ‘balance enquiry’ to view your current balance. |
Can I withdraw money from the contactless portion of my card? | Funds cannot be withdrawn from the contactless portion of your card. You can however draw available funds from your cheque or savings account if you have a contactless enabled debit card. |
Where can I find retailers that accept contactless transactions? | Look out for the contactless symbol at participating retailers and transit providers as this indicates that they accept contactless payments. |
What happens to my funds if I lose my card? | Contactless payments are a new way to pay and many retailers are in the process of converting their Point-of-Sale devices to accept contactless transactions. Over time you will start to see more and more retailers and transit operators accepting contactless transactions. The funds on the contactless portion of your contactless enabled card are just like cash and you don’t need a PIN to use the funds. This means that funds can still be spent even after the card has been blocked. Should you lose your card, call the Absa stop card number on 0800 11 11 55 immediately. Any funds that are still remaining on the contactless application of your card 30 days after the card has been blocked will be transferred to your new card. The non-contactless enabled portion of your card requires a PIN entry, which means it can’t be easily accessed by strangers should you lose your card |
Need more help?
Let one of our consultants help you get the best account for your needs.
Call us on: