If your contactless payment is declined, it is usually because you have reached the security limit for consecutive "tap" transactions. To protect your account, you can only make five contactless payments in a row before you are required to enter your PIN. This confirms you are still in possession of your card and resets your security counter so you can go back to using contactless.
Why we have a contactless limit
Contactless is a fast way to pay for items up to £100. To prevent unauthorised use, there are two main rules:
The Five-Transaction Rule: After five consecutive contactless payments, your sixth attempt will be declined.
The Cumulative Limit: If your total contactless spending reaches a certain threshold without a PIN entry, the terminal will ask you to insert your card.
Are there any exceptions? Yes. Transactions where you cannot physically enter a PIN—such as public transport turnstiles or bus readers—usually don't count toward your five-transaction limit.
How to reset your limit
If your card is declined while trying to tap, simply follow these steps:
Insert your card into the reader to use the Chip and PIN method.
Enter your PIN to complete the transaction.
Your contactless limit is now instantly reset for your next purchase.
If you have forgotten your PIN, you can view it securely at any time by heading to the Card section of the app. 🔐