StLouSteve wrote: ↑Mon Sep 13, 2021 8:16 am
On the Eagle southbound on Saturday, the snack bar attendant had a new type of card reader where the patron inserts the card or taps it him or herself--no longer do you hand the card over.
Here in Canada.....we've had those Tap devices for years. In restaurants the server brings the device right to the table and you just tap......and they're on the counter in just about every store. I can't remember the last time I actually passed my credit card over to someone. Only on larger amounts.....I think possibly over $500 do you inset your card then enter a pin #.
Since the start of the pandemic....I've gone cashless. Everything is Tap. I've been to the bank ATM a couple of times but the cash in my wallet is usually still there at the end of the week. I do get rolls of 'Loonies' ($1 coins) for tips at the Tim Hortons Drive-Thru when I pick up my morning coffee. (just tap then leave the coin on the window sill!)
Pre-pay for gas is not usually a requirement at the stations in my neck-of-the-woods but I just Tap at the pump anyway. (and stations have conveniently put hand sanitizers on the side of the pumps!)
Pennies were phased out here several years ago. If the total purchase price is say $10.02....it's rounded down and you would pay $10.00. If it's $10.03.....it's rounded up and you'd pay $10.05. (it's the total final price that gets rounded...not each individual item) What a pleasure not dealing with pennies anymore!
VIA Rail has also gone cashless for onboard purchases. In the Corridor and on the Ocean you can use Credit, Debit, Pre-Paid and VIA Gift Cards. On the Canadian and Remote Services.....only Credit Cards are accepted as Debit and Pre-Paid Gift Cards require a wi-fi connection for verification that's not always available.