This article is a step-by-step guide on how to pay with Google Pay at Drive-thru. The world has gone mobile, and it makes sense when you consider how much time we spend on our phones. We communicate, eat meals, shop, and even make payments on our smartphones. One of the biggest wins I see with my business is that all I have to do is tap the app and scan my phone to pay at places like drive-thru windows.
With Google Pay, you install your credit cards into the app and then make payments by tapping or scanning at checkout. You no longer need to worry about looking for your wallet or swiping your credit card. I’ll walk you through how to pay with Google Pay at a drive-thru! Google Pay allows you to make payments on your mobile phone in the same way that Apple Pay and Samsung Pay do. However, while they are available at many physical stores — such as retail businesses, fast-food places, and gas stations — I’m going to show you how easy it is to use Google Pay at a drive-thru window.
How to Pay with Google Pay at Drive-thru [Step-by-Step Guide]
Google Pay, like a couple of other payment channels, are offering convenient and seamless ways to make payments online and in-store. They are gradually replacing the need to swipe credit cards or move around with cash. To pay with Google Pay at Drive-thru, these are the steps to take:
- You can pay with Google Pay at any drive-thru restaurant or store where you see the contactless or Google Pay symbols
- If the drive-thru accepts contactless and Google Pay, you only need to unlock your phone to pay
- After unlocking your phone, place the back of your phone close to the payment reader for a few seconds
- When the payment is successful, you will see a blue checkmark appear on the screen
- If the blue checkmark does not appear, try holding your phone in another way but ensure the back of the phone is close to the payment reader
- Wait for a few seconds and your payment would be successful
There are cases when the blue checkmark appears, but the cashier or store did not receive the payment. In such scenarios, it is possible the card connected to your Google Pay is not working, or the store does not accept contactless payment. Verify if your card details are still intact and if the drive-thru points accept contactless payment.
Another diagnosis of this problem may be that you have not set up your Google Pay for contactless payment. It is quintessential to note that before you can pay with Google Pay at Drive-thru windows, you must have set up your Google Pay for contactless payment.
How to Set Up Your Google Pay for Contactless Payment
Before you can pay with Google Pay at Drive-thru points, you would have to set up your Google Pay for contactless transactions. Here’s how you can do so:
- Download the Google Pay app on Play Store
- After downloading and installing the app, launch the app
- After opening the app, locate the Menu icon and select ‘Payment Method.’
- Tap ‘Enable Contactless’ by the side of the payment method you want to use on your Google Pay account
- You will need to verify the payment method, and you are ready to go.
Google Pay can be used in stores even though they are not drive-thru. When you go shopping at Walmart, Starbucks, Macy’s, McDonald’s, Nike, and the other stores that accept Google Pay, you can easily do so with your phone. I would show you how to use Google Pay in-store in the next section below.
How to Use Google Pay In-Store
Google Pay is a digital wallet that lets you make payments with your phone. You can use it anywhere Google Pay is accepted, like at the grocery store or to pay for gas. Here is how to use Google Pay in-store:
- When you see the contactless or Google Pay symbols at a restaurant or store, you can use Google Pay to make purchases
- To use Google Pay in stores, unlock your phone and place the back of your phone close to the payment reader for a few seconds
- If a blue check mark does not appear on your screen right after you hold your phone against a payment terminal, try holding your phone in another way but ensure the back of your phone is touching against the reader
- After waiting a few seconds, you would see a blue check mark showing your payment is successful.
Where Can I Use Google Pay
The following are popular stores where you can use Google Pay as a payment method:
- American Eagle Outfitters
- Barneys New York
- Bloomingdale’s
- Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy
- Crate & Barrel
- Foot Locker
- Giant Eagle
- Macy’s
- McDonald’s
- Nike
- Schnucks
- Staples
- Toys R Us
- Walt Disney World
- Whole Foods Market
To learn more about the places and stores where you can use Google Pay as a payment method, please visit https://pay.google.com/about/where-to-use/.
Before I wrap up this article on how to pay with Google Pay at Drive-thru, there are a couple of frequently asked questions that I have answered.
FAQs on How to Pay with Google Pay at Drive-Thru
How do you use Google Pay at Checkout?
To use Google Pay at checkout in a physical store, confirm if the store accepts Google Pay or contactless payment. If they do, then you can simply unlock your phone and hold it over the payment reader until you see a blue checkmark. However, if it is an online checkout, you will need to tap the Google Pay button. If asked, choose a payment method and enter your shipping address. Then, confirm your order.
Can You Use Google Pay at Restaurants?
Yes. You can use Google Pay at restaurants and stores that accept Google Pay as a payment method. To be sure whether you can use Google Pay at a restaurant, look for the Google Pay or contactless payment symbols. Once you see any of these two symbols on the restaurant’s door or register—it’s safe to assume that the restaurant accepts Google Pay or other mobile payments.
Is Google Pay Touchless?
Yes. Once you have set up contactless payment and connected a payment method to your Google Pay account, you can pay for anything with your phone without swiping cards or entering card details. The payment method is contactless, as it only requires holding your phone over the payment reader at the store.
Where Can I Use Google Pay For Gas?
You can use Google Pay to pay for gas at participating stations in the United States, such as Exxon, Mobil, Shell, Phillips 66, Conoco, etc. You can find gas stations that accept Google Pay from the payment app. On the app, scroll down to “Get Gas” and you would see directions to the nearest gas station where you can use Google Pay.
Can I Use Google Pay without a Debit Card?
No. Google Pay must be connected to a payment source, which could be a credit or debit card. Without a debit card, you cannot activate your Google Pay and get it ready for contactless payment.
Can You Use Google Pay without NFC?
No. Without Near-field Communication (NFC) on your phone, you cannot use Google Pay for contactless payment. To find out if your phone has NFC, open settings. In the “Search settings” bar, type “NFC.” Next, tap and turn on NFC. If you do not see NFC on your phone, it means Google Pay’s contactless payment cannot work on it.
Final Thoughts on How to Pay with Google Pay at Drive-Thru
Google Pay is getting easier and more convenient, especially combined with Android Pay. So, how do you use Google Pay at a drive-thru? Just follow these steps and you’ll be ready in no time:
- Wake up and unlock your phone at the drive-thru window
- Hold the back of your phone over the payment reader at the drive-thru
- A blue checkmark will appear to show that your payment is successful
- If the checkmark does not appear, hold your phone over the payment reader in another position
- Your payment should be successful
It is quintessential to note that you have to activate contactless payment on your Google Pay before you can use it to pay at drive-thru. This involves connecting a credit or debit card and enabling contactless payments. Finally, your phone must have the NFC functionality before you can perform contactless transactions.