Digital wallets have taken off in popularity even more this year as another result of trying to reduce touch points. This means that iPhone users are likely leaning a bit more on Apple Pay than they may have before. American Express wants to let those users use their new Amex cards like this – right away.
Now Add New American Express Cards to Apple Pay – Before They Arrive
To add a credit card to Apple Pay, it normally involves taking a photo of it (or adding the information manually) and going through the Apple Pay activation process. Then, you are good to just pay with your phone or Apple Watch at all retailers that accept it (not Walmart, ahem).
This requires you to have your credit card on hand or at least have your information to do this. But, this is no longer necessary with American Express cards. Thanks to new support from Amex, you can now add your brand new card that was just approved to Apple Pay – right away.
Even though Amex sends their cards out pretty fast (a family member just got their new American Express Platinum card in 2 days), getting a jumpstart can help you meet those spending requirements for hitting the sign-up bonus. This is great if you are headed out for a trip or maybe you are already away from home when you applied.
Hopefully other issuers follow this as well. American Express already had allowed you to get the new number right away but this lets you head right out to physical locations and do shopping.
HT: MacRumors
I just got approved for the Amex Plat and I’ve gotten a digital version of the card with an expiration date and security code so I can use it online and in apps (Sam’s club app, Amazon, Uber etc).
Neither my personal Platinum and business Gold allowed this. Both asked for the 4 digits on the front of the card in order to add them to Apple Pay meaning I needed to wait until I received the cards in the mail.