5 Good Reasons to Use Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay is available on all carriers and recent Samsung smartphones in the United States. Like the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, to name a few. Now that it’s available almost everywhere, here we’re going to share five great reasons owners should use Samsung Pay. From triple rewards, bonus gift cards and even PayPal support.

Launched in late 2015, Samsung Pay is now easy to use for almost any new device. Shoppers will need a Galaxy S6 or newer Samsung smartphone to use Samsung Pay. Also available for Gear S3 smartwatch. You will need a supported bank for it to work.

Between Google Wallet, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and now Android Pay, wireless mobile payments are here to stay, not to mention LG is working on its own version. For those who haven’t tried it yet, there are several reasons why I use Samsung Pay every day. Also, why it is worth recommending to those who have a Samsung smartphone.

Samsung Pay was first announced during the Galaxy S6 announcement in early 2015, but wasn’t released until September after a brief beta. Apple Pay had a one-year lead at Samsung, but it doesn’t work nearly as well. In addition to being supported only in certain retail stores or update payment terminals.

In fact, we recently wrote an article on why we don’t use Apple Pay, and outlined some good reasons to avoid it. That said, Samsung Pay works pretty much anywhere and has none of Apple’s limitations. All in all it’s definitely worth using. Here is the list of supported devices, carriers, banks and credit cards.

In late 2015, Samsung added support for two major partners, Chase and Mastercard, that will enable millions to enjoy Samsung Pay. Then in December gift cards, additional features were added and the UI was improved. Throughout 2016, Samsung added loyalty cards and support for 500+ banks or Credit Unions. In the summer of 2017, Samsung Pay finally received support for the longtime DiscoverCard.

If you have a device, bank and card that works with Samsung Pay, take advantage of everything it has to offer.

Safe and Secure

All Samsung smartphones working with Samsung Pay have the latest technology in terms of security in a smartphone. From fingerprint scanners to the latest monthly security patches.

Users and all who need a fingerprint to actually use Samsung Pay to pay wirelessly with their phone security measures in place That is why it is safe to use. Here are Samsung’s thoughts on security:

“Your shopping is yours alone. Samsung Pay uses several layers of security. It keeps your payment information separate and does not store or share it so you can pay without worry.”

Samsung Pay does not store or share payment or credit card information, making it safe to use. Not to mention the existence of multiple layers of security to protect from hackers trying to steal information. Yes, some of the technology behind it was hacked in 2015, but did not compromise S-Pay in any way. In fact, it is believed that the reason behind it is to try to steal the technology behind it. There have been no instances of attacks on Samsung Pay since then.

Samsung Pay Works Almost Anywhere

Unlike Apple Pay or Android Pay, Samsung’s method works pretty much anywhere. Accepted anywhere that works with Apple Pay and at any payment terminal that accepts credit cards. Samsung claims that about 95% of all retail stores in the United States will work. So yes, almost everywhere.

The service uses both NFC and MST (magnetic secure transmission) to make wireless payments. All a user has to do is touch their phone to the payment terminal, tap the fingerprint scanner for authentication and you’re done. This happens with NFC, but it’s also backwards compatible with all swipe-based magnetic payment terminals. So wherever you can swipe a credit card, you can use Samsung Pay. The phone acts as if you were swiping a debit card by sending the same magnetic secure transmission. It uses the magnetic signal if NFC (Apple Pay style) is not accepted. It is fast, easy and safe.

Apple and Google use NFC, which is Near Field Communication. This means certain US locations like Starbucks, vending machines, retail stores, and others need to have updated payment terminals in their stores for them to really work. Payment terminals with “PayPass” or “Apple Pay Accepted Here” signs you probably saw above are those that use NFC.

As a result, many places do not accept Apple or Android Pay, making it useless for those with iPhones or newer Android devices.

This is the key. Samsung Pay works in all of these locations as it does the others. It makes it extremely useful unlike other mobile payment services on the market. I’ve paid at stores that don’t accept Apple Pay, like grocery stores, and the cashiers keep saying, “Hey, this doesn’t work here.” Then act like you were shocked when it worked. The answers I get are everything from confusion to bewilderment to inquisitive and full of questions. A cashier even accused me of stealing until I explained what I was doing.

Awards

Another great reason to use this service is Samsung Pay Rewards, which was launched on November 14, 2016. That alone is reason enough to recommend owners give it a try. Basically, you can earn rewards just like credit card companies offer, but from Samsung.

Samsung Rewards works like a points-based credit card rewards program. Every mobile purchase made will earn points. Users can double-dip by earning points from the card provider and Samsung, as well as earning rewards on a debit card. Something not usually from banks.

You can redeem points for Samsung products, coupons, gift cards, visa cards and more. The company also has double or triple bonus programs. Imagine getting 4x points from Samsung, points from the card issuer, and then a gift card. Impressive, isn’t it?

The more you use Samsung Pay each month, the higher the score and bonus tier will be. From Silver, Gold and Platinum for better rewards and more doubles. I have 4x points since the Galaxy S8 was released. Additionally, there are instant winners from random giveaways to earn points and pay with just your wireless device. More information is available here. I’ve never won a sweepstakes you use to enter your points, but feel free to try. Samsung Pay also supports loyalty and gift cards so you can leave your wallet at home. I use my Starbucks gift card with Samsung Pay several times a week.

PayPal Support

While the rewards program is excellent, one of the biggest reasons millions are trying Samsung Pay is for Paypal support. Finally, two years later, in July 2017, Samsung officially announced A partnership with PayPal.

Those with a new Samsung smartphone and Samsung Pay can now use PayPal to make purchases in apps, online and in retail stores. This is big news and probably the best new feature for mobile payments. You can now use your PayPal wallet to pay for anything while on the go and just using your Samsung smartphone.

easy to use

And finally, Samsung Pay is extremely simple to use. In fact, there are so many that users do not even need to open their phones to pay after installation. This is one of the many reasons I use it every day.

Installation takes less than a minute and Samsung Pay app if not already installed. Then use the camera to capture and save your credit or debit card. Users can also enter information manually. Once done, you will never need to use the Samsung Pay app again. Although there are free gift cards and other incentives in the “announcements” section of the Samsung Pay app. Check to win $25 free gift cards, Dunkin’ Donut gifts and more. Shop 5 on Galaxy S8 and Samsung Pay to save $100 right now. I got over $180 in gift cards just using Samsung Pay.

Swipe up on home or lock screen to instantly launch Samsung Pay

Users can swipe up directly from the home screen or even the lock screen when the phone is closed or open. Touch your fingerprint for authentication and hold it against the payment terminal to pay. It takes less than two seconds and you’re done. At the bottom (shown above) there is a permanent little tab that makes it quick and easy to use. You can remove this little tab, but then when you want to pay for everything you have to launch the app.

Samsung’s phones know which signal to send for payments, and there’s no difference in process or timing, whether it’s NFC or MST. It just works and works fine. If you have multiple or loyalty cards, simply scroll through the list before paying. Choose which card, then use your fingerprint to get started.

No more finding a card in your wallet, rummaging through a full bag, or hoping the place works with Apple Pay. Just take out your phone, swipe, tap and pay.

Samsung plans to add additional banks, cards and more features in the near future. We saw a lot added in 2017 and we expect this trend to continue with the Galaxy Note 8 release and beyond. We also hear that there may be some great deals and rewards during Black Friday.

Samsung Pay is the best wireless mobile payment method on the market. It’s fast, safe, secure, and more importantly, easy to use anywhere. As a reminder, Samsung Pay won’t work at gas pumps or ATMs, but that’s the only limit users will face. If you have a capable device and a supported bank or card, give it a try today. You’ll be glad you did.