Have you seen your friends paying for stuff right from your wrist?
No wallet, no phone, just a watch, and done!
Sounds cool, but is it worth it?
That’s why in this article, I’ll look at the good and the bad. I’ll also help you decide if making the switch to Garmin Pay is a smart move or not for you. Let’s get started –
How Does Gemini Work?
Garmin Pay is a contactless payment solution that allows you to make secure payments from your Garmin watch. It is designed with active people in mind, which means you can leave your wallet, purse, or even your smartphone at home and still make purchases conveniently.
So, how does it work?
- Device Compatibility: You first need a Garmin device compatible with Garmin Pay, typically some of Garmin’s smart and fitness watches.
- Setting Up: Through the Garmin Connect Mobile app, you choose the wallet icon, select the card type to add, and input the card details.
- Making Payments: To make purchases, users need to select the wallet function on their Garmin device, choose the card they’ve loaded, and hold their wrist near the credit card terminal.
Not all banks currently support Garmin Pay, so you should verify that your particular bank does.
Is there any Cost of using Garmin Pay?
No, Garmin does not charge users for transactions made through Garmin Pay. However, transaction fees, account fees, and other charges may still apply according to the terms and conditions of your bank or credit card issuer.
While using Garmin Pay itself doesn’t incur additional costs, you should be aware that the credit, debit, or prepaid card connected to your Garmin Pay wallet will still be subject to the regular fees imposed by your bank. For instance, if you have a card with a transaction fee, that will still apply when you use it with Garmin Pay.
That’s why it becomes really important to read the terms and conditions to understand any costs involved. If in doubt, contact your bank or card issuer for specific details.
Advantages /Disadvantages of using Garmin Pay for Payments
Here’s a list of the pros and cons of using Garmin Pay for payments:
Pros.
- Contactless convenience: With Garmin Pay, you can make purchases quickly and easily by simply holding your compatible Garmin device near the payment terminal without the need for a physical card or your smartphone.
- Ideal for an active lifestyle: Leave your wallet, purse, or smartphone at home when you go for a run, bike ride, or workout, eliminating any inconvenience that may be associated with carrying cash or cards.
- Security: Garmin Pay provides a secure platform using watch-specific codes, which helps protect your payment information. The card number is never actually used, and data is not stored on your device or shared with merchants.
- Supports multiple cards: Garmin Pay allows you to add multiple cards to your device so that you can choose the one you want to use when making payments. This can be convenient if you have various credit and debit cards.
- Global acceptance: Garmin Pay is available nearly anywhere that accepts contactless payments, making it easy to use while traveling or running errands.
Cons.
- Limited compatibility: Garmin Pay is only compatible with select Garmin devices, meaning if your device isn’t one of the supported models, you can’t use the service.
- Bank support: Not all banks and card issuers support Garmin Pay, so you need to check if your bank is part of the network.
- Limited transaction amounts: Some countries or individual shops may have limits on contactless payment amounts; in such cases, you may be required to use another payment method for larger purchases.
- Battery life impact: Using Garmin Pay increases the battery consumption of your device. If you make frequent payments or your device has limited battery life, this can be inconvenient.
- Accessibility: Garmin Pay cannot be used for online purchases or making payments without a contactless terminal. You may still need to carry around a physical card to have access to a complete range of payment options.
Verdict – Is Garmin Pay Worth It?
Having used Garmin Pay regularly, I found it to be incredibly convenient and ideal for my active lifestyle. The setup was quick and painless, and having the ability to make payments right from my wrist, whether it’s after a swim or marathon run, gave me a high degree of convenience that wasn’t previously possible.
Of course, the utility largely depended on my bank being compatible with Garmin Pay, and having a Garmin device that supports this feature. Once these were checked off, using Garmin Pay made the checkout experience faster and simpler, especially when I was on the move and didn’t want to reach for my wallet.
Ultimately, if your routine involves a lot of physical activities where carrying a wallet may not be convenient, and your bank supports Garmin Pay, it’s worth giving it a try.
