Google wallet - without linking payment method?

[ColinJ]

Well you learn something new every day.

I do most days, but there was one day last week when I didn't, so I learned that that old saying is not true. Oh, er, hang on...

 

[I like Skol]

What was wrong with trying to barter a bushel of barley for my groceries?

Only a bushel? Do you have no awareness of inflation?.....

 

[PK99]

Who are even less secure, despite their slick ads telling us otherwise.

I've always been a dumb phone user and proud, but gave in last year. I use Google wallet for a single bank card, and provided I'm not negligent and fraud remains firmly the banks problem, not mine. It's more secure than carrying a physical bank card.

I've also used it for rail and theatre tickets, but in the interests of KISS only keep the one bank card on it. Indeed, I'm pretty sure at that point I only had the tickets and no bank card.

Nevertheless, I do think such things should be optional and if folks would would prefer a "paper" licence,tickets, etc, they should be allowed them.

I'd that a dumb-phone user or a dumb phone-user?

 

[PK99]

Mrs Skol has been leaning on me for a while to set one up. Apparently I can use it to store/manage things like store loyalty cards, boarding passes, concert tickets etc.
Rightly or wrongly I have resisted? It just feels wrong to hand over a huge chunk of your life (and freedom?) to one organisation. What happens when they get hacked, or your profile gets corrupted, or something just goes wrong. Suddenly you may find you are locked out of your life! For example, certain banks/financial institutions have had outages lasting a few days recently. If you had all your eggs in one basket you may suddenly find yourself unable to buy food, fuel your car, or stranded somewhere without access to money!

Not a problem, I have just stubbornly resisted and life has continued as normal. Until today.

I have just renewed my annual Motorsport license and it seems the new e-license is now only viewable when downloaded to Google wallet or the iPhone equivalent. So, to participate in one of my hobbies it seems I have to have Google wallet?

Can I set this up without linking a payment method? Google searches seem to not understand the question as if you wouldn't want to have a Google wallet 'without' linking a payment method. Funny that?

I just want to have access to my Motorsport license and maybe the occasional boarding pass or concert tickets. I don't have an NFC phone or watch so have no need/wish to link payments. Obviously, Google wants my money to go via them. Can I avoid this?

Just to avoid the obvious replies of 'just link a card but don't use it'. I have no wish to share unnecessary financial details with a large, faceless, unaccountable organisation such as Google!

I use Google wallet for various membership cards and things like train tickets but do not have any form of payment card likned to GW

 

[ColinJ]

I've only recently started using Google wallet after years of avoiding it for similar reasons.

Must admit now I am it's very handy, no problems at all so far.

21st century here I come!

I just started!

I uploaded my rail e-tickets for my coming trip to Devon. I use split ticketing and have 2 lots of 3 each way. They are neatly grouped so I can find the right bunch of 3 for scanning.

I have my e-railcard handy too.

I never forget to take my phone out but have occasionally forgotten my bank card and/or railcard so switching to Wallet is probably a good idea. On long journeys I carry my tablet as well as my phone so that can act as a backup device.

As for the original question - I have linked my card so I don't know if Wallet would work without it.

 

[ColinJ]

I uploaded my rail e-tickets for my coming trip to Devon. I use split ticketing and have 2 lots of 3 each way. They are neatly grouped so I can find the right bunch of 3 for scanning.

It appears that I don't need to find them! Wallet has popped up a persistent notification linking to them with a time that they should be used. Very handy.

 

[briantrumpet]

Another convert (without any card/payment function). Reluctantly started using it as Easyjet stopped loading their boarding passes into their own app. Actually quickly got to like it massively, as tickets/passes are (obviously) available on multiple devices, so there's no need for manual back-ups (as I have two phones when travelling to France.). Also, QR codes are displayed in bright mode at full size automatically, so scanners at e-gates don't struggle.

 

[ColinJ]

On long journeys I carry my tablet as well as my phone so that can act as a backup device.

Which is fortunate, because my phone has just decided to disable its USB port so I can't currently (sorry for the pun) charge it that way!

I reckon (hope!) that it was caused by an update that got pushed to the phone a few days ago. Other people are searching for a solution to the issue so it might be caused by a bug in the update.


PS Panic over. I am now using my sister's wireless charger, but it is painfully slow. I will make sure that the phone is fully charged before I head home.

 

[ColinJ]

I am now using my sister's wireless charger, but it is painfully slow. I will make sure that the phone is fully charged before I head home.

I found a work-around... I had Developer mode and USB debugging enabled. I disabled them and restarted the phone. The USB port is working again now.

Hopefully, the problem will be fixed before I need to upload my software directly to the phone again.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Not using google Wallet or not having a smart speaker to stay off the grid ans remain hidden is sadly completely ineffective.

I don't use Google wallet or have a smart speaker, but not in a attempt to stay off the grid. It's just that I've not come across any reason to have either.

I'm not against them. Just never felt the need, never had a problem that would be solved by them. (Such as being sent a licence that needed Google wallet)

 

[Dogtrousers]

I just started!

I uploaded my rail e-tickets for my coming trip to Devon. I use split ticketing and have 2 lots of 3 each way. They are neatly grouped so I can find the right bunch of 3 for scanning.

I have my e-railcard handy too.

I never forget to take my phone out but have occasionally forgotten my bank card and/or railcard so switching to Wallet is probably a good idea. On long journeys I carry my tablet as well as my phone so that can act as a backup device.

As for the original question - I have linked my card so I don't know if Wallet would work without it.

What's the advantage over downloading tickets as pdf? Tis what I do. (And I print them too cos I'm an old codger).

 

[ColinJ]

What's the advantage over downloading tickets as pdf? Tis what I do. (And I print them too cos I'm an old codger).

I used to do that too but I have 6 tickets each way for my current trip. It is easier to scroll through them grouped in Wallet than open multiple pdfs.

I used to go down to the station to print proper tickets at the machine there but sometimes there is a queue or the machines are out of action.

As for printing my own... My printer is pretty much dead now and I don’t feel inclined to bring it back to life or replace it!

You are a younger old codger than this one!

 

[yello]

I've used store cards for grouting. Bet Google wallet doesn't do that.

 

[markemark]

I've used store cards for grouting. Bet Google wallet doesn't do that.

It does. In as much as I use it to pay for someone to do it for me.

 

[yello]

It does. In as much as I use it to pay for someone to do it for me.

Bet they use a store card though.