Yes, many Allpoint ATMs offer contactless cash withdrawals, but support depends on each machine, your card, and rules in your region.
Contactless cards and mobile wallets changed how people pay at shops, and now the same tap gesture is turning up on cash machines too. If you use Allpoint for surcharge-free withdrawals, you may wonder, are allpoint atms contactless, or are you still stuck with chip and PIN only? The answer sits somewhere in the middle, and it depends on hardware, card settings, and where you bank. This guide walks through what you can expect, how to spot a contactless Allpoint terminal, and how to avoid awkward surprises when you need cash.
Are Allpoint ATMs Contactless For Your Card And Region?
Allpoint is a shared network brand, not a single bank. Retailers, banks, and independent ATM owners host the machines, then plug them into the Allpoint network. That means each ATM model and software build can differ, including whether a contactless reader is installed or activated. In practice, many newer Allpoint ATMs now support tap transactions, while older units still require chip insertion.
Support also depends on your card and issuer. Your card must have contactless capability, and the issuer has to allow contactless cash withdrawals at ATMs. Some program managers that route traffic over Allpoint clearly state that contactless ATM withdrawals are not supported for their cards, even when the ATM hardware can read NFC. Others encourage tap use on any compatible ATM, including Allpoint devices.
So if you ask a friend “are allpoint atms contactless?”, the honest answer is “some are, and some are not.” The safest approach is to treat contactless as a handy bonus on Allpoint, not a guarantee in every store or region. When you reach the machine, hardware symbols, on-screen prompts, and the way the card reader looks will tell you whether tap works at that location.
Where Contactless Allpoint ATMs Are Most Common
Contactless ATM support tends to roll out first on newer hardware in high-traffic spots. You will often see a mix of tap-ready and older units even inside the same chain. The table below sums up where contactless Allpoint terminals show up most often and what to expect when you walk up to one.
| Location Type Or Region | What You Often See | What To Do At The ATM |
|---|---|---|
| Big-Box Retailers (US) | Mix of newer Allpoint ATMs with contactless symbol and older machines | Check for the contactless logo and a flat tap area before you try to tap |
| Drugstores And Pharmacies | Plenty of updated Allpoint machines; some locations still chip-only | If no symbol is present, insert the card and use chip and PIN instead |
| Supermarkets And Grocery Chains | Gradual shift to EMV-ready and contactless-ready ATMs | Look for “tap” prompts on screen when you start a transaction |
| Convenience Stores | Hardware varies, especially in smaller chains and independent shops | Assume chip use unless you see a clear NFC or contactless badge |
| Petrol Or Service Stations | Many outdoor ATMs still run older hardware without tap support | Plan to insert your card, especially at drive-up machines |
| United Kingdom And Ireland | Strong contactless culture, but ATM tap rollouts still uneven | Check for the standard contactless wave symbol near the card slot |
| Travel Hubs And City Centers | Higher chance of modern machines as networks refresh hardware | Tap only where symbols and prompts match what you see in shops |
How Contactless Allpoint ATM Transactions Work
Contactless ATM withdrawals use the same EMV chip standard that runs chip card payments at stores and many POS terminals. The card or phone sends encrypted data over a short-range radio link when you hold it close to the reader. Networks such as Visa and Mastercard explain that contactless transactions still rely on dynamic security and EMV cryptograms rather than a simple static card number. That design keeps a tap on an ATM closer in security terms to chip insertion than to a swipe.
Allpoint ATMs that support contactless add a reader, usually a flat plate or marked area beside the main card slot. When the ATM software is ready for card entry, it listens for either a chip insert or a tap. If your card, mobile wallet, and issuer allow ATM contactless cash access, the machine can accept the tap, ask for your PIN, and then carry on like a regular withdrawal.
Step-By-Step Contactless Cash Withdrawal
The exact screens can vary between banks and countries, yet the contactless pattern at an Allpoint machine tends to follow a few simple steps. If you see the contactless symbol and your card shows the same indicator, you can try this approach.
- Wake the ATM and choose “withdrawal” or the matching language prompt.
- When the screen tells you to insert your card, hold your card or phone a few centimeters from the contactless target area.
- Wait for a beep, light flash, or on-screen message that confirms the card was read.
- Enter your PIN on the keypad, just as you would for a chip transaction.
- Pick the account and amount you want to withdraw.
- Take the cash, receipt, and confirm the session has ended on screen before you step away.
If the ATM does not respond to your tap after a brief pause, remove the card and insert it into the chip slot instead. A failed tap does not usually mean your card is blocked; in most cases the terminal simply does not support contactless for withdrawals.
Phones, Watches, And Wallet Apps At Allpoint ATMs
Some issuers now link Apple Pay, Google Pay, or other wallet apps to ATM access. In those setups, you can tap your phone or watch on a contactless Allpoint ATM, then enter your normal ATM PIN on the keypad. Card networks describe mobile contactless as an extension of EMV contactless, with tokenized card numbers and the same low-range radio field that works at shop terminals.
Not every card that works in shops through a mobile wallet will work at an ATM. Your bank controls whether wallet-based contactless works at ATMs and may limit that feature to a subset of cards. If you plan to rely on your phone for cash access at Allpoint locations, check issuer FAQs for ATM contactless support details. When in doubt, carry the physical card too, so you still have a way to withdraw if the wallet tap fails at the machine.
How To Tell If A Specific Allpoint ATM Supports Contactless
Since Allpoint branding alone does not prove contactless support, you need a quick way to read each terminal. The good news is that you can usually scan the front panel and get your answer before you even reach for your wallet. A short checklist helps you avoid slow trial and error when you stand in a busy store or travel spot.
Look For The Contactless Symbol And Reader
The easiest clue is the contactless wave symbol on the ATM body. It often appears near a flat panel marked with card artwork, near the main card slot, or beside the screen. If the symbol looks exactly like the one you see on shop payment terminals and on your card, you can treat that ATM as at least partly ready for tap transactions.
Placement varies by model. Some Allpoint ATMs have a raised plastic pad; others show a lit icon on the bezel. A few models show the symbol on screen when the machine invites you to insert or tap your card. If there is no symbol, no visible reader, and no tap prompt, assume that the ATM is chip-only and insert your card instead of waving it in front of the screen.
Check For On-Screen Tap Prompts
Even when a contactless symbol appears on the case, software settings decide whether tap is active for cash withdrawals. Modern ATMs sometimes show a message such as “Insert or tap card to begin” on the idle screen. You may also see logos for card brands alongside a small contactless icon, which hints that tap support reaches beyond simple balance inquiries.
If you tap and nothing happens, wait a moment and see whether a message appears saying to insert the card instead. That pattern usually means the ATM hardware can read contactless cards for some functions, but the cash withdrawal flow does not allow it yet. In that case, contactless works more like a store payment terminal attached to the ATM bank, and the cash feature still relies on chip insertion.
Issuer Policies And Card Types
Card programs that connect to Allpoint do not treat ATM contactless in the same way. Some banks promote tap withdrawals at compatible ATMs, while others turn that feature off for security or technical reasons. One banking-as-a-service provider that sends customers to Allpoint notes that contactless ATM withdrawals are not supported for its cards, even though customers can still withdraw through chip at Allpoint machines. That sort of fine print matters when you decide whether to rely on tap in a tight spot.
If your card is contactless in shops but never works at any ATM, check issuing bank support pages for a line about contactless cash access. Search for phrases like “contactless ATM withdrawal,” “tap at ATM,” or “NFC cash access.” If the bank never mentions ATM tap features, it is safe to assume you need to insert your card at Allpoint and other ATMs.
Fees, Limits, And Security For Contactless Allpoint ATM Use
Allpoint’s main selling point is surcharge-free access at network ATMs for participating banks and card programs. In other words, the ATM owner does not add an extra fee for Allpoint users, whether they tap or insert the card. Your own bank or card issuer can still charge an ATM fee on their side, and that fee structure usually does not change based on contactless versus chip.
Withdrawal limits also stay linked to your card program rather than the tap feature itself. Many Allpoint ATMs advertise standard per-transaction and daily limits, and some partner documentation lists figures such as a few hundred dollars per withdrawal or higher daily caps. Contactless access does not raise or lower those limits; it simply changes the way the card credentials reach the terminal.
From a security angle, contactless ATM withdrawals ride on EMV chip technology. Payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard describe contactless as using dynamic, one-time codes that protect against basic skimming and replay attacks. The ATM still asks for your PIN, so you keep two-factor security: something you have (card or device) plus something you know (PIN). The main risks stay the same as with any ATM use: shoulder-surfing, hidden cameras, and card theft after the session.
You can cut risk with a few habits. Shield the keypad with your free hand while you enter the PIN. Wait until the machine fully ends the session before you step away. Stay aware of strangers who offer “help” at the terminal or crowd the small area around the screen. Contactless tap removes the need to insert and remove the physical card, which reduces wear on the chip and the chance of leaving the card behind in the slot.
Common Contactless Allpoint ATM Issues And Fixes
When contactless fails, the reason usually falls into a short list of card, terminal, or region settings. This table collects frequent problems and simple steps you can take at the ATM before calling your bank.
| Issue | Likely Cause | What To Try Next |
|---|---|---|
| No contactless symbol on the ATM | The machine does not have an NFC reader or it is disabled | Insert the card and use chip and PIN instead of waiting for tap |
| Card has no contactless logo | Your card is chip-only, or the issuer turned off contactless | Ask your bank for a contactless replacement card if you want tap support |
| Tap does nothing at several ATMs | Issuer does not allow contactless ATM withdrawals on your card | Check issuer FAQs, then rely on chip for Allpoint cash access |
| Wallet app works in shops but not at ATMs | Bank supports mobile wallets only for point-of-sale payments | Carry the physical card for ATM use and insert it when needed |
| Tap starts, then the ATM cancels the session | Software problem or network time-out at that terminal | Try one more time, then switch to chip or move to another ATM |
| Contactless works for balance inquiries but not withdrawals | Terminal setup limits tap use to non-cash functions | Insert the card for cash, and treat tap as a check-only feature there |
| Daily limit reached faster than expected | Issuer sets its own combined ATM limit for chip and tap | Check your banking app or call support to confirm the limit and reset timing |
Practical Checklist Before You Rely On Contactless Allpoint ATMs
Before a trip or cash-heavy weekend, it helps to plan how you will use Allpoint ATMs. Contactless can speed things up, but your backup plan should always include chip and PIN. A short checklist keeps the guesswork low and reduces stress when you need money in a store, airport, or late-night petrol station.
Set Up Your Card And Wallet First
- Order a contactless card from your bank if your current card has no contactless indicator.
- Add the card to your preferred mobile wallet and complete any extra verification steps.
- Check issuer help pages to see whether they mention contactless ATM access at all.
- Confirm your ATM PIN still works and that you remember it, since you still need it for tap.
Test Contactless On A Local Allpoint ATM
- Use your bank’s ATM or Allpoint locator to find a nearby machine that you can visit in daylight.
- Stand close to the ATM and look for the contactless wave symbol near the card area.
- Try a small contactless withdrawal, such as the minimum cash amount, so you can confirm everything works.
- If tap fails, repeat the withdrawal by inserting the card and note that location as chip-only for future visits.
Keep A Backup Plan For Cash
Even in regions with strong contactless habits, hardware upgrades take time. Treat tap at Allpoint as a convenience, not your only way to get money. Carry at least one chip card that you know works in standard ATMs. When you pack for a trip, write down your bank’s emergency number so you can call if both contactless and chip fail at several machines in a row.
By combining that planning with quick checks at the machine, you can use contactless Allpoint ATMs where they exist and slip back to chip at locations that have not switched yet. For searchers who keep typing “are allpoint atms contactless?” into their browser, the short answer is that tap access is growing fast, but the card, terminal, and bank policy all need to line up before a simple wave of your card or phone will deliver cash.