Following the Monday launch of Apple Pay alongside iOS 8.1, Canadian iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users have been wondering if they can use this convenient payment method if they visit the US. Well, it turns out they can, and if the reports are correct, they can even use it in Canada at certain locations.
Canadians haven’t been the only ones curious to know if they can pay with their iPhone at contactless terminals – so have Australians. And as it turns out, it is possible: iPhone users across the globe can take advantage of Apple Pay, but there is a catch.
As the tutorial we’ve shared with you shows, you first need to set your location to the United States to be able to set up Apple Pay. After setting it up, iPhone in Canada reader Marvin reported yesterday that he was able to pay with his iPhone at Starbucks and McDonalds Canada.
Today, another report from Australia, Beau Giles reveals (via MacRumors) that Apple Pay can indeed be used internationally where (MasterCard’s PayPass, Visa’s payWave, American Express’ ExpressPay, or) the familiar contactless logo is displayed.
The only problem is that since Apple Pay is currently limited to US banks, you need to own a credit card issued by one of the already participating banks. On the downside, though, for international use there is the conversion fee, which could increase costs. However, if you have one of the cards listed on Apple’s support page Apple Pay will work. If not, maybe it’s time to call your American friend to buy you a prepaid card from American Express, Chase or Wells Fargo.
And finally, here is video of how Apple Pay works in Canada:
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So is the charge, via Apple Pay in Canada, in $CAD or $USD?
it would be in CAD if in canada
Since it only works on US issued credit cards, wouldn’t it be in USD just converted from CAD?
yep
I can confirm it works here in Canada,I setup my American card from Chase, and paid in Tims this morning. The app showed USD, and once I checked the with the bank, there was a conversion fee.
does an American Express card ordered in Canada will work?
nope
So we still can’t use Apple Pay unless we are american-canadian citizen?!…
you need an american credit card that is apple pay friendly, citizenship isnt a total prerequesite 🙂
You don’t need to be a US citizen to open a US bank account and get a US debit card…. same goes for credit cards but without a SSN you’d need to get a secured credit card until some in-bank credit history is built.
Man, this is really awesome, but you would be paying foreign currency fees. I’m going to try adding my American credit card but probably won’t use it because of the fees.
Someone needs to try the Amazon.ca VISA card as there’s no foreign currency fees. It’s issued by JP Morgan Chase. Apple Pay requirements list Chase bank but not JP Morgan Chase–wonder if that’s processed the same or not.
read on another blog that amazon visa no worky (could be the case for all chase premium cards)
Yeah just found out myself too. Going to get a US prepaid card from Chase from an Amerifriend soon hopefully to test here.
oooooh ill do the same when i go to nyc next month
Was going to try this with my capitol one, but it is a Canadian capital one, and I don’t have a iPhone 6 so I am not sure, hoping this gets settled up here by the time the watch comes out.
So maybe it is a good idea for Canadians shopping in the USA with an American card, but it is not a good deal financially to pay with an American based card in Canada.