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Google Wallet questions

AZgl1500

AZgl1500

Extreme Android User
Okay, was in McDonald's yesterday and they had a brand new device on the counter with some LEDs glowing in it. Asked what it was, and was told that if my smartphone is programmed for it, I can tap my phone against that device and then I can click on OKAY and pay for my meal w/o having to remove my wallet and take a chance on a pickpocket grabbing it out of my hands.

I am a doubting Thomas, and don't like to give out my financial info too much.
Is Google Wallet completely safe?

Is it safe to link to both a Debit card, and a Checking Account? Would you do both, or only just one?

Do you enjoy using it?
What has been your experience with using Google Wallet?

How many places that you frequent currently have the option to use it?

Would you recommend Google Wallet for:
  • Seniors with a tendency to loose things when opening up a wallet.....
  • I once dropped everything out of my wallet by turning it upside down. :eek:​
  • Security keeping things out of pickpocket hands
  • Friends or even your enemies?

I am asking because of a long trip coming up, will be in a lot of strange places with very tight lines at ticket booths to museums, Fast Food vendors, etc...

And, I hate CASH! I don't like loose change in my pockets.
I have used a Credit Union and Debits cards since they were invented, I use Quicken Checkbook to automatically categorize my expenditures..... keeps my habits under control.

.
 
I use it and I trust it.

At first I only had my credit card associated with it, then I got brave and linked my bank account. Honestly though, I use my credit card for most everything so when I can use Wallet I use the CC as payment option, not my bank account directly. I mostly added my bank account because my sister has Wallet too and we can email each other money. She sometimes pays her part of the phone bill and I sometimes pay for Girl Scout cookies. Easier than writing a check or getting cash. Email. Done. When I get money that way I can then add it to my bank. Handy.

More and more places are starting to accept NFC type payments (thanks Apple, that's one of the few things they helped with haha). I've used it at gas stations, convenience stores, Macy's, McDonald's, Panera and others.

I don't have the Wallet icon on any of my screens, I have to go find it in the app drawer. Somehow I think that's more secure. It has a PIN lock and will time out after a few minutes of inactivity but I always go in after a transaction and lock it. Then I close the app from the history tabby thingy. My phone is also PIN locked. That's my version of security.

It, like anything you have on your phone, is only as secure as your phone is really.

Edit: oh and, I have my BJ's membership card stored on Wallet. Scan that and pay with Wallet. It's nice to only bring my phone with me.
 
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wonder if I could get the Highway Patrol to accept a picture of my Driver's License instead of the actual plastic card they send out :p

Okay, I have a couple of Gift Cards that were sent to us by the kids, Red Lobster and Olive Garden...
I have a Home Depot CC that is neat, gives me 5% discount if I remember to use it, almost cancels our $ale$ Tax :D

Can you link it to PayPal ?
 
No, you can't link it to PayPal.

I've only added my rewards/membership type cards, not really sure how a gift card would work (if at all?). I guess as long as it could be scanned it would be OK.

Some states are heading towards the virtual DL's already.
 
AZgl1500 said:
Okay, wonder what the percentage of market coverage is between the two?
will a vendor's reader be able to use either Service?
Click to expand...

I don't know the percentage but they already have some major vendors lined up (the link shows who they have signed up so far. I would imagine since it will be more streamlined, more vendors will sign up. Google Wallet will not be used for this function once Android Pay is up and running)


As far as your original question, currently, as Wallet stands now, I wouldn't recommend it because it's not being used very much or is available at all. If the merchant has a scanner, maybe, but relying on it for a trip, no.


It's nice to use for Rewards cards as Clementine said above. I have all mine stored there instead of making my wallet appear fat (no money, just rewards cards lol). Now my wallet is skinny
 
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