Apple Pay is a mobile payment service that allows users to make secure purchases in stores, in apps, and on the web using Apple devices like the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac. With Apple Pay, users can simply hold their device near a contactless reader to pay with their default card. It provides an easy and secure way to pay that is growing in popularity.
Giant Eagle is a U.S. supermarket chain with over 200 stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Maryland. As a major retailer, many customers wonder if Giant Eagle accepts Apple Pay. This article will dive into the details around Apple Pay acceptance at Giant Eagle stores.
Does Giant Eagle Take Apple Pay In Store?
Yes, as of 2020 Giant Eagle does accept Apple Pay in store for payment. Apple Pay works through NFC (near field communication) technology, allowing customers to tap to pay at contactless terminals throughout Giant Eagle stores. This provides a fast and convenient checkout experience.
To use Apple Pay in a Giant Eagle store, simply hold your compatible iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless reader during checkout. There is no need to open an app. Your default card will be charged after authenticating with Face ID, Touch ID, or double-clicking the side button.
All Giant Eagle locations have the proper NFC terminals to accept Apple Pay transactions. Customers can look for the Apple Pay, contactless payment logo at registers to confirm.
Setting Up Apple Pay
To use Apple Pay in Giant Eagle stores, customers first need to set up Apple Pay on their device. Here are the basic steps:
- On an iPhone, open the Wallet app and tap the + icon. On an Apple Watch, open the Watch app and go to Wallet & Apple Pay.
- Follow the prompts to add your credit, debit, or prepaid cards.
- Your card details are not actually stored on your device. Your card is verified with your bank or card issuer.
- For security, you will need to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, passcode, or double-clicking the side button depending on your device.
You can add multiple cards to Apple Pay and chose which one to use at different merchants. Giant Eagle will accept any card added to your Apple Pay wallet.
Making Purchases With Apple Pay
Once set up, using Apple Pay at Giant Eagle is simple:
- When checking out, look for the Apple Pay or contactless payment logo on the terminal.
- Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader with your finger on the side or top button.
- Your default card will appear on your device screen – you do not need to open the Wallet app.
- Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or by double-clicking the side button. This verifies your identity.
- You will see a checkmark and hear a tone confirming your payment has been made using your selected card.
The whole process is very fast, taking only a few seconds. You can also view your recent transactions in the Wallet app.
Apple Pay Benefits
Using Apple Pay provides several benefits compared to using a physical card:
- Convenient: No need to carry your wallet or dig out your cards. Just hold your device near the terminal.
- Secure: Your card details are never shared with the merchant. Each transaction uses a unique code.
- Private: Your card details are not visible on your device and are not stored on Apple servers.
- Organized: All your payment cards can be accessed in one place on your device. Easily switch between personal and business cards.
- Rewards: Apple Pay works with your existing credit card rewards programs and points.
- Receipts: Digital receipts are automatically sent to your Wallet app for your records.
Overall, Apple Pay provides an easy, secure, and private way to pay at Giant Eagle and retailers everywhere. Customers can take advantage of the speed and convenience when shopping.
Apple Pay At Other Giant Eagle Services
In addition to in store payments, Giant Eagle accepts Apple Pay in their other applications and services:
- Giant Eagle Pharmacy App – Prescription pickup and payment using Apple Pay
- Giant Eagle Curbside Pickup – Pay for grocery orders using Apple Pay
- GetGo App – Order and pay for gas and convenience store items with Apple Pay
- Giant Eagle Gift Cards – Can be added to Apple Pay wallet for easy access
So Apple Pay can be used seamlessly across Giant Eagle’s offerings for pharmacy, grocery, gas, convenience, and gift cards. Customers enrolled in the myPerks reward program can still earn points when using Apple Pay.
Tips For Using Apple Pay At Giant Eagle
To ensure the smoothest experience using Apple Pay at Giant Eagle, keep these tips in mind:
- Make sure your iPhone has battery life or bring a portable charger. Apple Pay won’t work on a dead device.
- Add your most frequently used cards to Apple Pay. Having to switch between cards causes delays.
- Know your card’s contactless transaction limits. You may need to insert your chip or swipe if over the limit.
- Save your Giant Eagle loyalty card barcode in the Wallet app for easy access during checkout.
- Keep your device software up to date for the latest Apple Pay features and security protections.
- If you have issues using Apple Pay, check if your card has restrictions or contact your card issuer for help troubleshooting.
Apple Pay Support Page
For more help setting up Apple Pay or troubleshooting any payment issues at Giant Eagle, visit their Apple Pay support page. You can also contact their customer service line at 1-800-553-2324.
Alternative Payment Options At Giant Eagle
For customers who do not use Apple Pay, Giant Eagle does still accept other forms of payment:
- Chip cards – Giant Eagle terminals accept EMV chip cards which you insert into the reader.
- Contactless Android Pay – Phones with NFC can pay through services like Google Pay.
- Magnetic stripe – Swipe the magnetic strip on your debit or credit card.
- Cash – Cash payments are accepted.
- Gift cards – Physical Giant Eagle gift cards can be used.
- Checks – Personal checks are accepted with valid identification.
So Apple Pay is just one of several payment options shoppers can use at Giant Eagle for a fast and easy checkout experience.
Key Takeaways
- Giant Eagle accepts Apple Pay at all store locations for an easy and secure checkout experience.
- Customers simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless terminal and authenticate with Face/Touch ID to pay.
- Apple Pay can also be used across other Giant Eagle services like pharmacy, curbside pickup, GetGo gas stations, and gift cards.
- Setting up Apple Pay is quick and safe with your debit/credit cards stored in the Wallet app. Your actual card details stay private.
- Using Apple Pay provides benefits like convenience, speed, security, rewards integration, and digital receipts.
Conclusion
Giant Eagle has fully embraced contactless payments like Apple Pay to improve customer service. The ability to tap and pay makes checkout faster whether shopping in store or using Giant Eagle’s pharmacy, gas, grocery pickup, and other services.
Apple Pay is secure, private, and convenient for customers. Paying takes seconds while earning rewards points, protecting card data, and getting digital receipts. As more shoppers look to minimize contact with cash and cards, Giant Eagle Apple Pay support provides a modern payment experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What technology does Apple Pay use at Giant Eagle?
Apple Pay uses NFC (near field communication) technology to transmit payment information when held near the contactless terminals at Giant Eagle registers. No app needs to be opened to pay.
2. Do I need to have a Giant Eagle account to use Apple Pay?
No, you do not need a Giant Eagle account to use Apple Pay for purchases. You simply add your credit/debit cards to the Wallet app and tap to pay. However, saving loyalty cards does provide rewards.
3. Are Apple Pay purchases categorized differently on my statement?
No, Apple Pay transactions will show up the same as regular card purchases on your statement identified by the merchant name like Giant Eagle.
4. Can I store multiple cards on Apple Pay to use at Giant Eagle?
Yes, you can add multiple credit, debit, prepaid, and gift cards to Apple Pay and easily switch between them when paying at Giant Eagle. Great for personal vs business cards.
5. How old do you need to be to have and use a debit/credit card with Apple Pay?
You generally need to be 18+ to be issued a credit or debit card in your name that can be added to Apple Pay. However, there is no minimum age to use Apple Pay itself as the payment method.
6. Does Giant Eagle accept other mobile payment apps besides Apple Pay?
Yes, in addition to Apple Pay, Giant Eagle also accepts contactless payments through Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and other NFC services at checkout using Android phones.
7. Can I receive cash back when using Apple Pay at Giant Eagle?
At this time Giant Eagle does not offer the ability to get cash back from an Apple Pay purchase. You need to insert your physical debit card to request cash back during checkout.
8. Is Apple Pay only for iPhone or can Android devices use it at Giant Eagle?
Apple Pay is specifically for Apple devices like iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac. However Android phones can pay through Google Pay at Giant Eagle using the same NFC terminals.
9. Are there any Giant Eagle stores that don’t accept Apple Pay?
No, all corporate and franchise Giant Eagle, Market District, and GetGo locations have NFC terminals enabled to accept Apple Pay and contactless payments.
10. How can I see previous Apple Pay transactions made at Giant Eagle?
Open up your Wallet app and tap on your card, then view transaction history to see Apple Pay purchases made at Giant Eagle. You can also check your bank statements.
11. Do I earn fuelperks! rewards when paying with Apple Pay?
Yes, you will still earn your standard fuelperks! rewards points when using Apple Pay for purchases at Giant Eagle and GetGo. Just make sure your loyalty card is saved.
12. Is Apple Pay honor system or does it require employee activation at Giant Eagle?
Apple Pay is automatically activated when you hold your device to the NFC reader. No employee interaction is needed other than verifying ID occasionally for larger purchases.
13. What if my Apple Pay card expires – do I need to update it in Wallet to use at Giant Eagle?
Yes, if your card expires or is renewed make sure to update the details in your Wallet app. Outdated expired cards in Apple Pay will be declined.
14. Can I use Apple Pay at Giant Eagle Pharmacies?
Yes, you can use Apple Pay when checking out at Giant Eagle Pharmacy counters to conveniently pay for prescriptions and other items using your iPhone.
15. How can I manage the Apple Pay cards saved in my Wallet app?
Open the Wallet app, tap the card, use the More Options menu to delete or edit cards. You can turn off a card temporarily or set a different default card.
16. Is Apple Pay safer than using my physical credit or debit card?
Yes, Apple Pay is more secure given it uses unique device-specific transaction codes and tokenization. Your actual credit card number is never shared or stored on your phone.
17. Can minors use Apple Pay linked to a parent’s card at Giant Eagle?
Yes, while the parent would need to add their own card to Apple Pay, a minor could use it for purchases at Giant Eagle. Parental controls allow limiting spending.
18. Do I need to carry my physical card as a backup payment method if Apple Pay fails?
It’s recommended to have a physical card as backup just in case. But Apple Pay rarely fails assuming your phone has battery and you have internet connectivity for transactions.
19. Can Apple Pay be used when Giant Eagle services are offline?
No, Apple Pay requires an internet connection at checkout to process the encrypted token transaction securely. It will not work offline if systems are down.
20. Is Apple Pay available when shopping for delivery/pickup orders online at GiantEagle.com?
At this time, you cannot use Apple Pay for online grocery orders at GiantEagle.com. It is only supported currently for in-store and app purchases.