Optus brings their NFC enabled SIM payments system ‘Cash’ to pre-paid devices

Launched in November last year, Optus’ NFC enabled SIM contactless payment system ‘Cash’ has been available to post-paid customers, but today they’ve announced that pre-paid customers can get in on the action as well.

Cash by Optus (that name is terrible btw) allows customers to order an NFC enabled SIM card for their phone and then using the Cash by Optus app from Google Play, top up their account and make payments at the contactless payment terminals at retailers around Australia just as you would with your Paywave enabled credit or debit card.

Cash by Optus allows you to make payments up to $100 in person, just as your Paywave card allows you to, or you can also use Cash by Optus to make payments of up to $250 online or over the phone.

So, to use Cash by Optus, you have to be an Optus Pre or Post-Paid customer, have a compatible phone, and order an NFC enabled SIM card – there’s no HCE here. To order a SIM card, head over to the optus.com.au/cash website and the rest is pretty simple.

Optus is also sweetening the deal by repeating their offer of $10 credit to the first 10,000 customers to sign up before the 31st of December, there;s also a bonus $5 after you make your first contactless payment.

It’s a pretty good deal, and until Android Pay turns up unless you want to change banks if you’re already using Optus this isn’t a bad option. I’ve left my wallet at home before so I’ll be signing up for this for those ‘in case of emergency’ situations in the future.