Using KB payment cards

You can recognise contactless cards by a logo that may look like this:

How do card payments work?

The card verification process involves several factors, such as issuing bank, type of terminal or card processor. For example, if the cardholder’s bank and the terminal administrator’s bank are the same, transactions executed through such terminal may be verified in a completely different manner than for cards issued by another bank. This applies both in the Czech Republic and abroad.

There are two types of card transactions, depending on the verification mode: online transactions and offline transactions.

Today, most transactions are verified online. In case a card payment did not affect your account balance right away, it was probably processed offline and your account will be debited within a few days. Therefore, you need to take such transaction into account and have sufficient account balance.

Why are there two verification methods when I want to see my transactions immediately – i.e. when I want everything online?

In the world of payments, there are some terminals that are only set up for offline verification. Offline verification is most commonly used for smaller amounts, such as self-service parking or vending machines or when making road, tunnel or bridge tolls abroad.

TIP:

In case of mobile payments in the form of Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay or Fitbit Pay, transactions are always verified online. We love mobile payments, same as you, but if you exceptionally come across a terminal that does not support online transactions, your payment will be declined. This is why we advise you to always have your payment card with you so that we can guarantee a payment goes through – and we can, with offline card transactions.

Today, the vast majority of card transactions are verified online. Online payments only take a few seconds. A payment terminal usually displays brief information about the online verification process during the payment. It is necessary to verify that your account balance is sufficient and that your card is still valid. Consequently, it is necessary to establish connection between a merchant, merchant’s bank, card association (Visa / Mastercard), and the issuing bank. Once a payment is verified, you will receive your goods together with a receipt. It is useful to keep the receipt from the terminal if you later need to file a complaint about a transaction. In case you have activated card payment notifications in Mobilní banka, you will also receive a push notification to your mobile phone once the payment is completed.

Offline transactions do not mean that there is a system failure on the part of the bank or terminal – it is only a different transaction verification method that only affects your account balance after the transaction is received from the relevant merchant. This may even take several days, depending on the terminal settings. Therefore, you need to take such transaction into account and have sufficient account balance.

Offline transactions are mainly used for smaller amounts that do not require instant verification. At the time of an offline transaction, it is only uploaded to a merchant’s terminal. A payment terminal usually displays brief information about the offline verification process during the payment. You will not be able to see the relevant transaction in your Internet banking (e.g. MojeBanka or Mobilní banka) until the merchant submits all payments for processing; consequently, your disposable balance will not be reduced. During each day, offline payments line up in a “batch” in the merchant’s payment system. These batches are then transferred several times a day or every few days at the most – depending on the merchant type and type of the bank that owns the terminal. The merchant’s bank subsequently submits a settlement order to the card issuing bank. Once we receive the relevant transaction, it is recognised, your disposable account balance is reduced, and the transaction is shown in your Internet banking transaction history.

Before travelling abroad, we all naturally wonder how to make the simplest and most convenient payments in our destination. All payment cards issued by KB are accepted internationally and it is also possible to use payment cards issued to CZK accounts.

If you wish to use a card issued to a CZK account abroad (e.g. in Germany), the local merchant may ask if you want to make your payment in the local currency (i.e. in euros) or in your home currency – CZK (so-called DCC). 

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) and Surcharge
When making cash withdrawals or POS payments abroad, you may be confronted with a dynamic currency conversion. The DCC exchange rate may not always be the best one. Moreover, foreign ATM operators may offer ATM withdrawals at a fixed fee (so-called surcharge). However, they must always inform you about these fees in advance. We advise you to consider the cost and benefits of such transactions – e.g. in the light of the withdrawal amount.

So why does DCC even exist? In some countries, you may not be certain about potential changes in exchange rates. Therefore, it may be better to select a payment in CZK, as you will know exactly how much you will pay.

If a transaction is authorised online, you will see the relevant card authorisation hold converted from the original currency based on the exchange rate of the Mastercard / VISA card association or current exchange rate (noncash – sell) in your Internet banking.

When the transaction is settled, it is usually converted to EUR at the exchange rate of MC/VISA card association; the EUR amount is then converted to CZK at the exchange rate (noncash – sell) prevailing at the moment the transaction is settled.

The amount of the card authorisation hold and the actual transaction amount may differ depending on exchange rate fluctuations.

TIP: If you travel to euro area countries, you may open an account in euros in KB to avoid currency conversion altogether.

We advise you to report your foreign trip to the bank in advance (particularly when travelling to more exotic destinations) to ensure the bank does not view your card transactions from halfway around the world as attempted card fraud.

Let us know about your foreign trip – we will notify you of any problems with your card without any undue delay.

Please read our travel tips and specifics of individual countries.

Are you going for a run and would like to buy some refreshments on the way or meet your friends at a restaurant? You can save your card in your mobile phone, watch or other wearables – the choice is yours. KB supports Google Pay, Apple Pay and Garmin Pay.

Moreover, these payments are contactless – you make a payment by placing your device near a terminal and confirming it directly on the device (e.g. with your fingerprint).

More information and setup instructions

Detailed instructions for using payment cards on the Internet

You always need to submit the following information:

• Cardholder’s name and surname
• Card number and expiration
• Card verification code/value (CVC/CVV) on the back of your card

The POS cash withdrawal – i.e. “Cash Back” – may only be used in stores located in the Czech Republic that feature the following logos:

You can make cash withdrawals when buying goods or services, subject to the rules of card associations and of the relevant merchant (for example, a minimum purchase amount may apply).

Mail Order / Telephone Order (MO/TO or M.O./T.O.)

It is a transaction, where a payment card is verified on the basis of provided card and personal details. In order to use MO/TO services, it is not necessary to allow payments on the Internet for your card.

MO/TO services may be used for newspaper/magazine subscriptions, participation fees at conferences, club memberships, etc. It is mainly possible to come across these types of payments in hotels or car rental services. However, these payments are often replaced by card payments on the Internet.

MO/TO services are provided by businesses to holders of embossed Mastercard/Visa payment cards. Service providers will request the following information:

• Card number, cardholder’s name, card expiration (month and year), and card verification code or value CVC2/CVV2 (on the back of your card);
• Description of the goods or services to be provided
• Name and address of the recipient
• Payment amount
• Cardholder’s signature (not applicable in case of telephone orders)

First of all, we must recall that it is always necessary to consider the merchant in question and whether you wish to disclose your personal/card data to such merchant. At the same time, you should always carefully review the applicable purchase terms. For example, some apps may require payment in the form of “subscription” that is repeatedly paid from your card. There are some benefits and drawbacks associated with this payment method – particularly if the merchant is not reliable.

If you store your card details with a merchant, it will save you time when shopping with such merchant. In case you wish to purchase goods from a trusted store on a train on your way home from work, you most certainly do not want to take your card out to input your card details. Therefore, if your card is already stored with the merchant, you only confirm your payment, as all the details have already been provided.

Banks are required to notify merchants (registered with card associations’ programs) of card renewals – i.e. your regular card payments will not be cancelled – e.g. in-app subscription payments, memberships, etc.

The first payment with a place of business (e.g. your registration) is verified as an Internet payment; consequently, everything is successfully verified and enabled, if you enable payments on the Internet for your card. Subsequent payments are then presented as recurring payments – i.e. the relevant merchant will charge your card even if Internet payments are no longer enabled. The relevant amounts are charged on the basis of the terms and conditions agreed by and between the cardholder and the merchant. If you wish to cancel recurring payments, you must terminate the contractual relationship with the merchant in compliance with the merchant’s terms and conditions otherwise the merchant may claim any outstanding amount.

If you travel frequently, you may come across the possibility to book hotels or rental cars by submitting card details; in some situations, merchants even require credit cards. In this case, you provide the merchant with your embossed card’s number and expiration, together with your name and address, and you will obtain information about the price of accommodation and reservation number. The payment will be authorised upon your arrival.

The merchant can then charge you for the relevant cost – e.g. accommodation for one night – if you fail to cancel your reservation in advance. Car rental services may request your card details as a guarantee for fuel, while hotels may charge you for items taken from your room minibar. In this case, the merchant will complete an additional sales note and send a copy thereof to your address.

Our recommendations:

• Never sign a receipt until all the necessary information is filled in. You will avoid unauthorised claims for amounts that have not been approved by you.
• When returning a rental vehicle, always insist on a written confirmation of the vehicle return date and time, technical condition, and fuel level. This document will help you support any claims relating to additional charges. If you pay rental fees in cash, ask that your receipt is unambiguously marked as “paid in cash”.