American Express is foraying into Canada and Australia with Apple Pay this year, and bringing the solution to more large markets in 2016, a reflection of the mobile payments boom with developers and financial services.

While more players come into the mobile commerce game with mobile payment services, American Express is quickly expanding Apple Pay to large markets by the end of this year and early of 2016. Spain, Singapore and Hong Kong American Express customers will follow Canada and Australia next year with Apple Pay capability.

“With our global reach, we are able to bring Apple Pay to Card Members quickly in these important countries,” said Tony Prentice, vice president of mobile products and payments at American Express.

Mobile market expansion
American Express is significantly growing its Apple Pay market to varied countries around the world to ensure its success as mobile payments begin to catch on and bigger players enter the game. Customers will be able to pay with a wide range of Apple devices such as iPhones, Apple Watches and iPads within stores for a quick checkout.

Users can also use Apple Pay with American Express in checkout of retailer’s applications on iPhone or iPad. The service provides and effective method of checkout in which customer’s credit data is kept safe through tokenization technology, a tactic that generates a specific code for the credit card that can only be used with Apple Pay.

Apple Pay also leverages thumbprint technology, which also increases technology. For in-store use customers only need to tap their phones to contactless payment devices at checkout.

Mobile users will also receive real time update notifications on purchases and seamlessly connect with American Express’s app for rewards, account monitoring and service.

Canada and Australia will see American Express introduce Apple Pay by December and other countries such as Spain, Singapore and Hong Kong will see roll outs next year. These are large markets, which means a significant gain for American Express and Apple Pay.

Mobile payments surge
Banking company Chase’s is also launching mobile payments and competing with developers, such as Apple and Samsung and could potentially offer it front-runner status as its substantial customer base strays away from the pigeonhole caused by software developers (see more).

Also, MasterCard is partnering with GM, Nymi, Ringly and TrachR to develop a series of unique connected payment devices, straying from the traditional wristband and mobile offerings in an attempt to transform every device into a payment option (see more).

“We believe it is critical to be on the forefront of seamless and innovative payment solutions for our Card Members and we are pleased to be able to deliver on that with Apple Pay,” Mr. Prentice said.

Final Take
Brielle Jaekel is editorial assistant at Mobile Marketer