Surprise! Apple Pay Has Already Launched In The UK

Remember that time Apple said it was going to officially launch in the U.K. next week?

Fooled you!

One accidental tweet alerted the world yesterday (July 13) that Apple was coming soon to the U.K. — and apparently by “coming soon” that tweet actually meant right bloody now because the official launch has happened.

So now U.K. consumers are free to pay the Apple way — as long as what they want costs less than ₤20, as there is still a limit as to how much you can buy via contactless across the pond. That number is expected to go up to ₤30 this fall. And, of course, English consumers must also be customers of one of the partnered banks or credit card companies for the launch. That initial list includes American Express, First Direct, HSBC, MasterCard, Nationwide, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, Visa Europe and Ulster Bank. This fall, Apple said others will begin supporting Apple Pay, including: Bank of Scotland, Coutts, Halifax, Lloyds Bank, MBNA, M&S Bank and TSB Bank.

Shopping choices on the other side of the pond are a bit limited, as they are here, and a bit unfamiliar: Boots, BP, Costa, Liberty, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, McDonald’s, Starbucks and my favorite, wagamama.

According to Apple, the service will be available in 250,000 locations.



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