Apple/Google Pay on Phones

If you lose your phone, you can use Find My iPhone to erase all the credit cards. Doing so will not affect the physical card(s) you are carrying - it would be business as usual.

Further if you have all of the lock-ups availble to you for your iPhone ie. a better passcode than 1234 - no need to immediately panic.

Wouldn't it be prudent to carry your physical cards as a backup - in deep storage with your passport?

I do carry physical cards. Different locations - one for handy use, others in "deep storage". I tend to be very aware of the presence of my physical cards - more so than my phone based on recent experience. The cards have one use - purchase power. Easy for me to keep that one usage with appropriate storage distinct in my mind.

The phone gets used for work, communication, photos, GPS, etc. as well as needing charging. More times than the card(s) when it is out and subject to momentary lapses in attention.

I guess to use Find My Phone, I would have to travel with another Apple device which I don't always do. I didn't think about erasing the cards with the app - thanks for that hint.

I used my Apple Watch to pay for just about everything on our two RS Tours last year (London in June and VFR in October). The best thing about using the watch for contactless pay is that I never had to fumble for my phone or wallet. Everything that's in my iPhone's wallet is in the watch's wallet, so it's seamless (and encrypted).

That's a thought - I don't own an Apple Watch, but might be worth looking into. Thanks for the idea! I don't think I'd leave that sitting on a table!!!

I'm taking a cross body phone lanyard. Bandolier is a really nice/popular/pricey brand, but there are plenty of other choices on Amazon.

I’ve been thinking about this same scenario as a trip approaches. I tend to be very aware of my crossbody, so I think I’ve settled on using a phone lanyard to connect the two. No chance of leaving the phone as long as I have my purse. I do like the idea of an Apple Watch though, that would be so convenient! Maybe too much so :)

Thanks for the above! Actually, I used a crossbody lanyard for the first time earlier this month. Loved it - hands free, phone attached! I need one that is easy to use for picture taking, however. I bought a new one for next trip.

I finally adopted Google Wallet on my phone last year and it is great. During a vacation, I always have the phone in my hands, secured by a wrist strap. I'm constantly taking photos. It is so easy to tap with your phone when making a purchase. No need to fumble with my wallet or credit cards.

If my phone was lost or stolen, it is useless to anybody unless they also have my thumb (now that is a scary thought). On the other hand, if my credit card is lost or stolen, a person could tap away with my credit card until I discover and take the time to cancel it. I have a high degree of confidence that my phone cannot be used while I'm still looking for it. Eventually, I could completely wipe my phone remotely if I cannot recover it.

Google wallet is also convenient because I can scroll and see my purchases at any time. With a credit card, I have to log into my bank website or go through paper receipts stuffed into my wallet.