Apple Pay has seen a meteoric rise in adoption since it was released in October 2014, and is now ranked the largest mobile payments service outside of China, with more 90 billion transactions in 2021, beating out rivals Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, and Samsung Pay, so it’s no shock that retailers like Taco Bell have rushed to support it. Here’s what you need to know about using Apple Pay in Taco Bell.
Does Taco Bell Take Apple Pay?
You can use Apple Pay on an Apple Watch or iPhone at Taco Bell in the United States.
There are no additional charges for using Apple Pay in Taco Bell: Fees are the same as if you were to hand the card itself to the cashier. This means that if you’re traveling abroad and you use Apple Pay in Taco Bell to pay in USD, you may still be charged an international transaction fee. The same applies to online transactions placed through the Taco Bell application when ordering ahead of collection using Apple Pay.
Just like when using Apple Pay at Aldi, you’ll continue to earn all of the same rewards as you would with your physical card while shopping with Apple Pay at Taco Bell. For example, if you’re an American Express customer earning 1% cashback rewards on everyday purchases, you’ll still be eligible for these when you pay through Apple Pay. But the card you use will need to be one that Taco Bell accepts in physical form.
As well as Apple Pay, Taco Bell also accepts Google Pay and Samsung Pay. These work much the same as Apple Pay. You’ll need to use a card that Aldi takes while using them, and neither add their own transaction fees for the convenience of leaving your wallet at home, nor should they impact your ability to earn rewards from the card issuer for qualifying purchases, but always check with them first if you’re unsure.
How to Use Apple Pay in Taco Bell
You can use Apple Pay on an Apple Watch or iPhone at Taco Bell in the United States, including in the drive-thru, and in the Taco Bell application when ordering ahead for collection. The process is the same as using it in any other retailer. Just let the cashier know you want to pay with Apple Pay, then follow the usual steps to fire up the card on your Apple Watch or iPhone, then hold it over the card reader for a few seconds.
Provided you’ve already added a card to Apple Wallet, all you need to do is double-press the Power button on the side of your iPhone or Apple Watch. Your default card will appear on the screen. You can scroll down to select a different card. You’ll then need to use Face ID, or enter your passcode, to authenticate yourself (on an iPhone), then hold the device near the contactless reader until you hear a beep.
A confirmation notification will then appear on the screen of your device, letting you know that the payment went through with the amount of the transaction. This will be stored in the Wallet application, so you can reference it at a later date, should you need to. The transaction will also appear on your bank statement and mobile banking services, the same way it would if you paid using the physical version of the card.
Can You Use Apple Pay for a Taco Bell Delivery?
Taco Bell doesn’t offer its own delivery service, so you’ll need to order through a partner like DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats or Postmates — all of which accept Apple Pay. If you’re new to one of these services, you may be able to save some money on your first order, so have a hunt around for coupons for new customers. Exactly which partners offer Taco Bell delivery will depend on your location, however, so do some research first.
