If you‘re an iPhone user and Advance Auto Parts shopper, you‘ve probably wondered at some point whether you can check out with Apple Pay at your local store. Having to dig out your wallet and fumble with cash or cards can be a hassle, especially when you‘re in a rush to get back on the road.
Well, I have good news for you – yes, Advance Auto Parts does accept Apple Pay as of 2023. This is based on the company‘s official payment policy, which lists Apple Pay alongside credit/debit cards and PayPal as accepted digital payment methods, both in-store and online.
But before we get into the details, let‘s take a quick step back and talk about who Advance Auto Parts is for those who may be less familiar. Founded in 1932, Advance Auto Parts is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers. As of 2023, they operate over 4,700 stores and 300 Worldpac branches across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and online at advanceautoparts.com.
So when exactly did Advance Auto Parts start accepting Apple Pay? Unfortunately the company doesn‘t provide an exact date, but based on past versions of the payment policy page from 2020 and 2021 retrieved via the Wayback Machine, Apple Pay has been accepted since at least late 2020.
Advance Auto Parts likely decided to adopt Apple Pay in large part due to the general surge in popularity of contactless payments in recent years. The pandemic in particular accelerated this shift, as consumers increasingly looked to minimize contact and retailers moved to accommodate changing preferences. Apple Pay utilizes NFC technology to enable quick, secure transactions without any physical contact, making it an attractive option for safety-conscious shoppers.
According to a recent report from Apple, Apple Pay availability is continuing to rapidly expand, with the service now accepted at over 90% of US retailers. This lines up with data from PYMNTS‘ latest mobile wallet adoption study, which found that Apple Pay was the most frequently used mobile wallet in the US, with 48% of users choosing it as their top option.
So how does Advance Auto Parts compare to other major auto parts retailers when it comes to Apple Pay support? Let‘s take a look at some of its biggest competitors:
- AutoZone: Accepts Apple Pay as of 2023
- O‘Reilly Auto Parts: Does NOT appear to accept Apple Pay as of 2023, only lists credit/debit cards, PayPal, and in-store options
- NAPA Auto Parts: Accepts Apple Pay as of 2023
As you can see, Advance Auto Parts is in line with the general trend of major auto parts retailers adopting Apple Pay, though there are still some outliers like O‘Reilly who have yet to get on board. It will be interesting to see if the remaining holdouts feel more pressure to accept Apple Pay as it continues to grow in popularity with consumers.
Now that we‘ve established that you can indeed use Apple Pay at Advance Auto Parts, let‘s dive into how to actually go about doing so step-by-step:
- First, make sure you have Apple Pay set up on your iPhone. You‘ll need to add at least one credit/debit card to the Wallet app before you can start making purchases. Open the Settings app, tap "Wallet & Apple Pay", and follow the prompts to add a new card.
- When you‘re ready to check out at an Advance Auto Parts store, let the cashier know that you‘ll be using Apple Pay. No need to open any apps on your phone yet.
- The cashier will prompt you to hold your iPhone near the contactless reader. You don‘t need to wake or unlock your device – just hold the top of your iPhone within a few centimeters of the reader.
- Wait a moment for your default card to pop up on the screen. You‘ll feel a gentle vibration and see "Done" on the display, along with a checkmark, when the payment is complete. And that‘s it – you‘re all set!
- If you have an Apple Watch paired with your iPhone, you can also use it to pay by double-clicking the side button and holding the display near the reader until you feel a gentle tap.
Using Apple Pay is a breeze once you get the hang of it. The whole process is quick, convenient, and touch-free – no more fumbling with cash or having to slide your card. Plus, Apple Pay transactions are secure since your actual card numbers are never shared with merchants or stored on your device.
It‘s worth noting that there are a few things to keep in mind when using Apple Pay at Advance Auto Parts (or anywhere else). First, there may be limits on the transaction amount, so it‘s a good idea to check with the store associate if you‘re making an especially large purchase. Additionally, not all stores may have contactless readers available at every register, so you may want to ask if you don‘t see one right away.
So what other payment options does Advance Auto Parts accept if you don‘t have Apple Pay or prefer an alternate method? For in-store purchases, you can typically pay with:
- All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, etc.)
- Debit/ATM cards
- Cash
- Personal checks
- Advance Auto Parts gift cards
If you‘re shopping online at advanceautoparts.com, you can check out with most of the same options, though cash and personal checks are excluded for obvious reasons. The website also accepts PayPal, PayPal Credit, Venmo, and Klarna as additional digital payment methods alongside Apple Pay.
So in summary – yes, Advance Auto Parts does take Apple Pay as of 2023, both in-store and online. This is super convenient for iPhone users looking for a quick, secure, contactless way to pay for their auto parts and accessories. Simply hold your phone near the reader at checkout and you‘re good to go – no need to touch anything or dig out your physical wallet.
The adoption of Apple Pay by Advance Auto Parts and other major retailers is a clear sign of the growing popularity of mobile wallet payments. As consumers continue to prioritize speed, safety and convenience, it‘s likely that we‘ll see even more widespread acceptance of Apple Pay and similar contactless options in the years to come.
Whether you‘re a diehard Apple Pay user or just curious about your options, rest assured that Advance Auto Parts has you covered with a variety of convenient, secure ways to pay. So next time you need to stock up on motor oil or grab a new set of wiper blades, consider giving Apple Pay a try and see how you like it. Happy shopping!