Let’s All Stay Loyal To The Secret Of The Loyalty Card

I am shopping in a grocery store that utilizes a rewards card for sale prices. I am at the checkout.

Cashier: “Hi! Do you have a rewards card?”

Me: “Yes.” *Hands card to be scanned.*

She scans the order and gives my total. I “tap” my card on the payment keypad.

Register: “BEEP!”

Cashier: “It didn’t read. Can you try again?”

Register: “BEEP!”

Cashier: “That’s odd. I can try if you want.” *I hand her my card.*

Register: “BEEP!”

Cashier: *Tries again with same result.*

Front End Manager: “Is there a problem?”

Cashier: “It just doesn’t want to accept the tap and go from this card.”

Front End Manager: “That’s not good. Let me try.”

Register: “BEEP!”

Me: “I’m just going to use a different card.”

She hands back my card, and I freeze. I stare at the card for a moment while my brain reboots.

Front End Manager: “What’s wrong?”

I turn the card towards her.

Me: “We’ve been trying to tap to pay with my rewards card.”

I switch out for the actual debit card I’ve been holding the entire time, and it works on the first try.

Cashier: “I feel so dumb.”

Manager: “So do I.”

Me: “I say we all pretend this never happened.”

Manager: “Done!”