American Express to launch Apple Pay in Australia later this year

American Express announced yesterday that Apple Pay will become available in key global markets such as Australia and Canada by the end of this year, allowing cardholders to pay on the go with their iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.

<<Update>> AMEX customers can begin using Apple Pay from 19 November 2015. 

American Express Card Members will be able to add the Apple Pay service to any eligible consumer, small business or corporate AMEX cards and use this to pay for purchases with their iPhone or Apple Watch in store where contactless payments are accepted as well as via participating merchant apps.

Cardholders are also set to benefit from a number of intuitive features with Apple Pay including real time notifications, details of  purchases and seamless connection to the AMEX mobile app for account monitoring, servicing and access to rewards and offers.

“We believe it is critical to be on the forefront of seamless and innovative payment solutions for our Card Members and we are pleased to be able to deliver on that with Apple Pay,” said Tony Price, AMEX Vice President Mobile Products and Payments.

RELATED: Woolworths replaces Qantas Frequent Flyer Program with $10 off your shop scheme

American Express has assured cardholders will continue to receive fraud and online protection when using the Apple Pay service. When a cardholder adds a card to the service, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device and each transaction a customer makes is authorised with a one time unique dynamic security code.

Last year, a study by the Commonwealth Bank found that more than 70% of Australians expect mobile wallet technology such as Apple Pay to replace their entire physical wallet within the next 7.5 years, and cash and card payments within 6.5 years.

Check out our blog on everything you need to know about digital wallets here.