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Comment by chromakode | Hacker News Reader

I love these cards (Google Wallet used to have one, Square Cash now offers one too) for a different reason from possibly intended: they're a great fallback in case you want to make a purchase where contactless phone payment isn't supported but plastic is. I keep one in my running armband with my phone in case of emergencies and it never leaves the band. That way I never forget it, and if I were to lose it somewhere, I'd still have all of my regular credit cards.

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What makes that different from a normal credit card? From a consumer protection standpoint you're probably better protected against theft/loss with a credit card than with these specialized debit cards, so I'm not sure I see the advantage.

The advantage is connivance - if I could just get 2 of my regular visa card I'd do that but OPs idea is great.

Additionally loss can be controlled, since you can easily control your venmo balance as opposed to a traditional debt card.

> Additionally loss can be controlled, since you can easily control your venmo balance as opposed to a traditional debt card.

I dunno dude, I find no difficulty in keeping my debit card empty. Almost too easy in fact.

Paycheck comes in, automatic transfers instantly cut it up and put money where it belongs.

I really need to start doing this. Are you investing it or simply moving it into another account? I've got a silly amount of cash right now, just doing nothing.

Atleast for me 10% right off the top of my paycheck immediately gets moved to my Ally account.

It really angered me when I realized how terrible all the big banks are when it comes to the saving account. After moving my money in my savings there, the first couple interest payments ended up being more money than I'd gotten from the entire life of my savings account at Bank of America.

Some goes to a joint checking account GF and I use for rent/groceries/etc. Some goes to a buffer savings account in the bank (for unexpected crap), some goes to Walthfront for longterm savings/investing, some pays off credit card (used for all daytoday expenses due to points), some pays for some debt I got myself into by being bad at taxes, and then a small buffer is left for any fuckups.

> if I could just get 2 of my regular visa card

i don't know about the chip cards but back in the day i used to do this by just calling and saying the stripe wore out, and i need an exact same replacement card.

Did you ask for a spare card? 99% of banks would happily send you one if you ask. My friend always kept a duplicate in the glovebox in the old days.

EDIT: not sure how it works with chip cards. Discover still lets you request for duplicate cards from their website though.

I keep <$50 loaded on it at any time and if I lose it, I can cancel it instantly using the app. My "real" credit cards remain in my wallet.

Lol where do you live that everywhere accepts mobile pay? Some utopia in the sky?

Moscow and other big cities in Russia

It's becoming very common outside the US. I think a large part of it is that credit cards are less common in most other countries, especially among young people. Mobile payments have a big advantage in convenience over cash, which is the primary alternative for many people.

In Canada we've had contactless card readers for a few years now - the mobile payments are compatible with the exact same protocol, so instead of tapping your card you just tap your phone.

I haven't even gotten any funny looks tapping my phone with Android Pay at places not advertising it - even just after it came out in Canada.

Practically everywhere in the UK for example.

Literally every western country that isn't the US.

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