This guide shows you everything you need to know about getting, activating, and using your KAST contactless card.

How Can I Get and Activate My Contactless KAST Card?

To get and activate your contactless KAST Card, follow this detailed guide.

How Do I Use My KAST Card for Contactless Payment?

1. Follow the steps above to activate the card in the KAST app and set your PIN.
2. At checkout, look for the contactless symbol on the terminal.
3. The cashier starts the transaction; confirm the amount.
4. Hold the top of your card flat over the reader (within 2–4 cm) until you see a green light or hear a confirmation beep.
5. Wait for the approved message and take your receipt.

How Do I Use My Virtual KAST Card for Contactless Payment?

Add your virtual KAST Card to a digital wallet. See how to add your virtual KAST Card to Google Wallet here. See how to add your virtual KAST Card to Apple Wallet here.

Note: On Android, NFC (Near Field Communication) may need to be manually turned on in settings.

	2. Open your wallet app and choose your KAST Card as the default payment method.
	At checkout, find the contactless symbol (four curved lines) on or near the payment terminal. Hold your phone or wearable close to the payment terminal, about 2–4 cm from the contactless reader. Keep it there until you hear a beep or see a green light. Wait for the confirmation message and collect your receipt if needed.

What Should I Do if My Contactless KAST Card Is Lost or Stolen?

If your contactless KAST Card is lost or stolen, it’s important to act quickly—but there’s no need to panic. The quickest way to protect your account is to freeze the card immediately. Here’s how to do it step-by-step.

	Open the KAST app. Click the card icon on the upper right corner of the homepage.
	Select the affected card. Click Freeze.

Why Isn’t My KAST Card Working for Contactless Payments?

If your card is not working for contactless payments, there could be several reasons.

1. Card activation not completed: A new card must be activated before it can be used. Until activation is complete, the contactless function is disabled to prevent unauthorized use.
2. Card expired: An expired card will be declined for all types of payments, including contactless. Even if it appears physically fine, payment networks automatically block transactions after the printed expiry date.
3. Card blocked or frozen by issuer: If the cardholder reported the card lost, stolen, or compromised, or if KAST detected suspicious activity, the account may be temporarily frozen. Contactless payments will fail until the freeze is lifted.
4. Damaged card chip or internal antenna: Contactless payment relies on an embedded NFC antenna. Bending, heavy scratches, heat exposure, or water damage can break this antenna, making tap-to-pay impossible even if the chip still works for insert transactions.
5. Dirty or obstructed card surface: Dust, grime, or sticky residue can interfere with the NFC signal. This is more common in cards carried without a wallet or used in dusty environments.
6. Per-transaction contactless limit exceeded: In many countries, there is a cap on how much can be spent in a single contactless transaction without entering a PIN (e.g., $100 in the US, £100 in the UK). If your purchase exceeds this amount, the terminal will prompt for chip insertion.
7. Payment terminal not contactless-enabled: Not all merchants have NFC-enabled payment terminals. Some may display the contactless symbol but have a faulty or deactivated reader, preventing tap transactions from working.
8. Merchant-imposed restrictions: Some merchants intentionally block contactless for certain categories (e.g., fuel pumps, hotel check-ins) due to security concerns.
9. Insufficient funds or credit limit reached: If your account balance is too low or you’ve maxed out your credit limit, the transaction will be declined regardless of the method used.

How Do I Fix Contactless Payment Issues?

If your contactless payments are not working, try the following steps:

1. Check card status: Ensure your card is activated and not expired, blocked, or frozen.
2. Activate your card in the KAST app: Before you can start using your card for transactions, make sure to complete the activation process in the app.
3. Clean the card: Wipe the card gently to remove dirt or residue that may interfere with the contactless chip.
4. Check payment limits: Many cards have a maximum limit per contactless transaction. If your purchase exceeds this, you may need to use chip-and-PIN.
5. Try another terminal: The issue may be with the payment terminal. Try using your card at a different location.
6. Check digital wallet setup: If using a phone or wearable, ensure your card is correctly added to your digital wallet and that NFC is enabled.
7. Contact KAST concierge: If your card is still not working for contactless or chip transactions, contact our concierge for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn’t my phone activating the contactless ATM?

Ensure your card is added to your digital wallet and that NFC is enabled on your device. Hold your phone close to the ATM’s contactless reader and follow on-screen prompts. Some ATMs or regions may not support contactless withdrawals.

What should I do if both contactless and chip payments are failing?

Check if your card is damaged, expired, or blocked. Try using your card at a different terminal. Contact your card provider for further troubleshooting or to request a replacement card.

What is a contactless chip card?

A contactless chip card is a payment card with an embedded EMV chip and a contactless antenna that allows you to make secure transactions by tapping the card near a compatible terminal, without swiping or inserting it. It uses short-range wireless technology (NFC) to transmit payment details securely.

How do I know if my card supports contactless payments?

Look for the contactless symbol (four curved lines) printed on the front or back of your KAST Card. If the symbol is present, your card supports contactless payments; if not, it only supports chip-and-PIN or magnetic stripe transactions.

How do I enable NFC on my device?

On most Android devices, go to Settings, then Connections or Network & Internet. Find NFC and switch it on. On iPhones, NFC is automatically enabled for Apple Pay and does not require manual activation.

Are there fees for using contactless payments?

KAST does not charge extra fees for contactless payments, but standard transaction fees and foreign exchange charges (if applicable) still apply. Your merchant or payment processor may also have their own fees.

Can I turn off contactless payments on my card?

No. Contactless payments are a built-in feature of your KAST Card and can’t be disabled. If you prefer not to use tap-to-pay, you can continue using your card with chip-and-PIN or online transactions instead.