If you need to pay for purchases that can't be made with ‌Apple Pay‌, you can use the physical version of the Apple Card that Apple sends once you sign up. In addition to Goldman Sachs, Apple is partnering with Mastercard, so the physical Apple Card can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted.


Apple Card activation screen

When your physical card comes in the mail, setting it is simple. On the ‌iPhone‌ XS, XS Max, and XR, all you need to do is hold your ‌iPhone‌ near the envelope that it came in for an NFC scan and then tap the "Activate" button on your ‌iPhone‌ when it pops up.


On the ‌iPhone‌ X and earlier, you need to open up the Apple Card, open the Wallet app, tap the "Activate" button in the Wallet app and then hold your ‌iPhone‌ near the packaging that the Apple Card came in. Unlike traditional cards, you do not need to place a phone call for activation purposes.


Using Apple Card for Non-Apple Pay Purchases

Sams Credit Card

The Sam’s Club Credit Card, issued by Synchrony Bank, is a basic store credit card for Sam’s Club members with a less-than-stellar credit profile. The Sam’s Club Credit Card can only be used at Sam’s Club and Walmart stores and doesn’t offer any rewards on purchases, so it’s mainly for borrowers who aren’t likely to qualify for a better credit card that can be used more broadly. If your credit is just fair (if you have a FICO score of 580 to 669) and you shop at Sam’s Club and Walmart frequently, this card can be a worthwhile financing tool, albeit with a steep interest rate.

Big Lots Credit Card

The Big Lots Credit Card is a good choice for frequent Big Lots shoppers who want the flexibility to pay for their purchases over time. If you can handle the deferred-interest financing deals properly, you can save a lot of money and gain the flexibility around paying your credit card bill. Most people, however, will be better off with a cash-back card that works anywhere and earns rewards of some kind. Try the CardCruncher tool to find the right card for you.

Surge Mastercard Credit Card

The Surge Mastercard® is one of the easiest credit cards to get if you have bad credit, but the card's annual and monthly fees may reduce its appeal. If you're considering the Surge Mastercard® to build credit, here's what you need to know before you submit your application.

Menards BIG Credit Card

Menards has been one of the leading stores for home improvements for over five decades now. Many people rely on this store for their home improvement needs where they spend thousands of dollars. The Menards Big Card is designed to help all the Menards loyalists to get more rewards from making their purchases in the store and a few other selected gas stations. The card offers different types of rewards from cash back to in-store financing making it a very valuable tool especially if you tend to do a lot of home improvement.

Stein Mart Credit Card

The Stein Mart Platinum Mastercard® offers additional savings on items that fly off the rack at the discount retailer's store.The card, issued by Synchrony Bank, earns rewards at the retailer online and in-store and everywhere that Mastercard is accepted. It also offers perks such as exclusive savings events, birthday surprises and the chance to earn even more rewards with Elite status. The card's annual fee is $0.

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