Wait, so I can't use my own credit/debit card with Wallet?!

[Vance14]

Am I missing something? I want to use my own debit card for Wallet, the way it is used for the Play store. I figured that if I logged into Wallet it would simply access my Wallet account that exists online, but instead I am only given the choice of the Google Prepaid Card, a Citi Mastercard or a rewards card. That doesn't seem right.

 

[moin1998]

But you can load money from your credit/debit card into the prepaid card.

 

[bworley50]

You can load money onto the prepaid card from your debit card.

 

[orlanka]

Am I missing something? I want to use my own debit card for Wallet, the way it is used for the Play store. I figured that if I logged into Wallet it would simply access my Wallet account that exists online, but instead I am only given the choice of the Google Prepaid Card, a Citi Mastercard or a rewards card. That doesn't seem right.

While limiting you to just a MasterCard doesn't seem like the correct approach, as they have partnered with Google on Wallet, it makes sense. That said, and as people have already stated, you can use another card to recharge the prepaid card. This at least adds some security in the way that you don't directly have a personal card linked to your wallet (especially if you choose not to store that information there).

 

[harold42483]

I have a chase mastercard debit card can i use that

 

[Vance14]

So, I have to manually reload the prepaid card the way I have to do a Starbucks card? That makes Wallet incredibly less useful or appealing. With any payment method I have, I don't like having to wonder whether there is enough in the kitty, and I don't like tying up cash in "card" I will only use occasionally. I will just park this idea until I can tie it directly to a real, ongoing account.

 

[zero neck]

So, I have to manually reload the prepaid card the way I have to do a Starbucks card? That makes Wallet incredibly less useful or appealing. With any payment method I have, I don't like having to wonder whether there is enough in the kitty, and I don't like tying up cash in "card" I will only use occasionally. I will just park this idea until I can tie it directly to a real, ongoing account.

While it's a little annoying, it's safer this way in case the phone gets stolen or lost.

 

[gmen78]

So, I have to manually reload the prepaid card the way I have to do a Starbucks card? That makes Wallet incredibly less useful or appealing. With any payment method I have, I don't like having to wonder whether there is enough in the kitty, and I don't like tying up cash in "card" I will only use occasionally. I will just park this idea until I can tie it directly to a real, ongoing account.

Yup...until you lose your phone and you realize whoever finds it has the potential to access your card info... you will be more annoyed, regardless if anyone can break any pins you have... you will still stress.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[Dirty-Bird]

People use reloadable Starbucks cards? Is Starbucks that big of a deal? Whoa, **** is real.

 

[Danv1369]

So, I have to manually reload the prepaid card the way I have to do a Starbucks card? That makes Wallet incredibly less useful or appealing. With any payment method I have, I don't like having to wonder whether there is enough in the kitty, and I don't like tying up cash in "card" I will only use occasionally. I will just park this idea until I can tie it directly to a real, ongoing account.

It is so Fast and easy to reload I can check the prepaid card while I am inline and add additional cash if I think my current balance is not going to be enough. Its more convenient then pulling out my real wallet and having to go through the swipe, enter pin, confirm amount, and sometimes sign process...now it is just pulling out phone, enter pin, tap and enjoy the amazement of those around me

 

[Vance14]

Yes, it definitely is more convenient than using a real card, which is why I want it to replace my real card. But, the extra hassle of messing with reloading evens that back out and makes me more likely to just use my physical card than bother with Wallet for now.

As for security, I am just as likely to lose my wallet as my phone, and with either they are just one PIN number away from my account anyway. So that is about even. And, if I use a wipe program, I can actually make my phone useless, but I can't remotely wipe my physical debit card.

 

[Danv1369]

You should get $10 free from google when you activate the prepaid card. Give it a try for a week. I didnt think I would like having to add money to it either but once I started using it I got hooked.

 

[Vance14]

I will try it out and see. Another problem will be that so few places around me use it. But enough for me to give it a shot.

 

[orlanka]

As for the discussion on using your own card, Visa has been partnered with Google Wallet almost since it went live but their timelines for when they want to use their cards there has yet to be announced. There is a rumor that they will start out at the Olympics this year in the UK. There is also talk that they could be building a competitor to GW (not ISIS)

 

[xiaosong]

I actually have my mastercard credit card linked to google wallet and I use it in the cabs here in NYC as it is easier to pay since I usually have my phone in my hand.

 

[captaincaveman]

I actually have my mastercard credit card linked to google wallet and I use it in the cabs here in NYC as it is easier to pay since I usually have my phone in my hand.

How do you handle tips?

 

[zero neck]

How do you handle tips?

Cabs in the city have tip options/calculators on the touchscreens where you pay.

 

[captaincaveman]

Cabs in the city have tip options/calculators on the touchscreens where you pay.

I haven't been in a cab for 11 years. Guess times have changed.

 

[eric3316]

Yup...until you lose your phone and you realize whoever finds it has the potential to access your card info... you will be more annoyed, regardless if anyone can break any pins you have... you will still stress.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Um, and what is the difference if you lose your wallet with your credit cards in it?

I haven't been in a cab for 11 years. Guess times have changed.

Um where have you been? They aren't even called cabs anymore they are called Hovercrafts and they fly above the old age things called cars.

 

[ConTejas]

I will try it out and see. Another problem will be that so few places around me use it. But enough for me to give it a shot.

I'm not sure what the maximum amount you can load on the Google pre-paid card but it's at least $150 (there's an "other" option). So it not like you need to load it daily, but as someone said, you could do it in line. I've only used it at Mickey D's, CVS, Mobil, and the caf in my office building, but every time people Ooo and Ahh using GW to pay. I'm not going to lie, that's what it's all about lol. Usually the person behind the register thinks I'm one of those @ssholes who can't get their face out of their phone, but are then surprised.

You'd need to break two pins on my phone and do it before I knocked on your door or wiped my phone remotely. Also I'm more likely to lose my wallet and it has the only thing not easily replaced...my license. Now if they can figure a way to upload your license to your phone that's acceptable to the law I'd rarely have a lump in my back pocket.