5 the war on cash
Transport
With apps like Uber, cashless buses and contactless payments on the Tube, public transport is practically a note-free zone already. The London Underground has had NFC technology since the introduction of the Oyster card, which means it’s Apple Pay ready.
Retail
Many high street retailers have jumped onto the contactless bandwagon in recent years, including major chains like Marks & Spencer, Boots and Waitrose. The £20 card limit makes it particularly appealing to sandwich and coffee shops wanting to capitalise on the lunchtime rush.
Events
The days when you paid cash for a gig on the door are practically gone, but apps like EventBrite and Dice are completely doing away with cash, paper tickets and secondary ticketing, too. Just pay the venue directly via an app and show an e-ticket on the door.
Festivals
Many of the UK’s festivals are running cashless trials this summer, experimenting with digital wristbands so punters can leave their cash at home. Loaded with credit and individual ID numbers, wristbands are also more difficult to forge than cash or paper tickets.
Restaurants
Most restaurants now have an online booking option, but global reservations app Zomato is going one further and trialling a cashless service that allows diners to pay via its app. It hasn’t arrived in London yet but it claims over 200 restaurants have signed up in Dubai.