The four rules of using contactless
Last updated:
30 March 2026
The contactless payment system has transformed how we spend and now the £100 limit has been lifted. The simple tap-and-go system gives us both convenience and speed when shopping. But there are a few rules you should follow to make sure you don’t get caught out.
Leave it at home if funds are low
It’s effortless to use contactless for payments. But that means you might not think carefully before you spend. As a result, your bank balance could take a big hit – which can be a problem if there’s a chance of overspending.
Your best bet is to either take cash with you shopping or use Chip and Pin. Handing over coins and notes is better as you need to have enough money on you in the first place. Plus, it’s been shown that handing over cash does make you think more about what you are buying.
Always check the payments
One problem with contactless is people don’t always check the amount they are charged. To avoid overcharging you should always see the terminal before the card is tapped, and then always ask for a receipt.
Then you really need to check your contactless payments against the actual charges to your bank account. Online and app banking make it much easier to track payments than ever before.
In March 2026, the £100 limit on contactless payments was lifted. Banks and payment providers set their own limit, meaning you might now be able to make larger purchases with just a tap.
Get in touch with your bank or credit card company if you want to turn off contactless or set a limit that’s appropriate to you.
Don’t let your card out of your sight
Since you don’t need to enter a PIN or sign a bill, you don’t physically need to tap a contactless card on the reader yourself. This means sometimes the card could be taken away to a terminal to process the payment.
Don’t let your card out of your sight. Apart from the danger of being overcharged mentioned above, there’s also an increased risk your card could be cloned.
Read more in our guide How contactless payments work
Watch for card clash
You won’t get charged twice if you accidentally tap two cards on a reader at once – but you might find the payment goes from a different card to the one you want.
This is mainly when using transport systems where you need to tap in and out of your journey. If you use a different card on entry to the one you tap on your way out, you will be charged twice.
It could also cause you to go into your overdraft, or charge a credit card, which will add on interest if you don’t pay the full amount off each month.
