Does Valvoline Take Apple Pay? – Payment Options at Valvoline

Owning a car means regular oil changes and maintenance. These days, most of us pay with our phones or contactless cards instead of fumbling for cash. So if you’re heading to Valvoline for an oil change, you might wonder: Does Valvoline take Apple Pay? The short answer is yes – many Valvoline locations accept Apple Pay as a secure, contactless payment method. In this post, we’ll explain exactly how Apple Pay works at Valvoline, what other payment options you have, and share tips to make your next visit smooth. You’ll also learn how to set up Apple Pay on your device and what to do if your local Valvoline isn’t set up for contactless payments.

Valvoline Instant Oil Change introduced drive-thru oil changes and stay-in-your-car service options in recent years. Additionally, they introduced contactless payment terminals. In fact, during the pandemic, Valvoline explicitly offered the option to use a contactless credit card (Apple Pay®/Google Pay™) so you can pay without touching the machine or handing over cash. Customers can tap their iPhone or Apple Watch (or an Android phone with Google Pay) at checkout. This update is part of Valvoline’s effort to streamline service: you stay in your car while oil is changed, and you tap to pay on an NFC reader brought to your window.

Valvoline’s Payment Options

Valvoline aims to make checkout easy by accepting a wide range of payments. Besides Apple Pay, here are the common methods you’ll find at Valvoline shops:

• Mobile Wallets (Apple Pay & Google Pay): You can hold your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android phone near the contactless reader to pay. Valvoline officially supports Apple Pay on Apple devices and Google Pay on Android devices. (These are just digital versions of your credit cards stored securely on your phone.)
• Credit/Debit Cards: We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) and debit cards. You can insert or tap your chip card at the reader if you prefer physical cards.
• Cash: Traditional cash payments are still accepted at the counter. (If you stay in your car, the guide can take cash by hand, or you can roll down the window briefly.)
• Valvoline Coupons and Gift Cards: Valvoline sells gift cards and occasionally problems coupons or service vouchers. You can use a Valvoline gift card as payment toward your service.
• Other (less common): Some locations may accept fleet cards or third-party payment plans. Samsung Pay and other digital wallets work too if they emulate a contactless credit card. However, acceptance of Samsung Pay specifically isn’t mentioned on Valvoline’s official site, so treat it the same as you would a credit card tap.

The important takeaway: Yes, mobile wallets are on the list of payment methods. Valvoline even highlights that customers can use their Apple devices (iPhones, Apple Watches, etc.) to make secure, contactless payments at checkout. Note, though, that very small or older franchise locations might still rely only on swipe/insert machines. If in doubt, a quick call to your local Valvoline can confirm what they accept.

Pro Tip: If you have a Valvoline gift card or coupon, keep that handy. You can often stack multiple payment methods (e.g., gift card + Apple Pay) to pay for your oil change.

Also Read: Does valvoline do inspections? 

How to Use Apple Pay at Valvoline?

Using Apple Pay at Valvoline is as easy as tapping your phone at the gas station. Here’s how to set it up and utilize it:

1. Enable Apple Pay: On your iPhone or Apple Watch, open the Wallet app and add a credit or debit card if you haven’t already. Follow the prompts to activate the card with your bank. Once added, Apple Pay is ready to use (you don’t need a special app for Valvoline).
2. Keep Your Device Ready: Make sure your iPhone or Apple Watch is unlocked and the Wallet is active. If you have Face ID or Touch ID, you’ll authenticate the payment when you tap.
3. At Valvoline Checkout: When the technician brings the payment terminal to your car window (or you enter the store), simply hold your iPhone or Watch near the contactless reader. On iPhone models with Face ID, double-click the side button and glance at your screen or enter your passcode. On a Watch, double-click the side button.
4. Complete the Payment: After authenticating, your device will emit a soft vibration or beep, indicating the payment went through. The screen will show a confirmation. That’s it – no physical card needed.

These steps are standard for any Apple Pay transaction. Valvoline’s stores use NFC (near-field communication) readers, the same technology used by retail stores and gas pumps. So if you’ve ever tapped to pay at a restaurant or grocery store, it’s the same idea here. (Valvoline’s materials note that contactless payment was introduced so customers could stay in their cars during service, minimizing contact.)

If you run into any issues (e.g., your phone doesn’t connect), don’t worry – the cashier can always swipe your credit card or take cash. But in our experience, Apple Pay works smoothly and is very secure. Your actual card number is not shared with Valvoline; instead, Apple Pay generates a one-time code for each transaction. This tokenization keeps your card data safe and is one reason many people prefer mobile wallets for security.

Example: Last week, I went for my routine oil change at Valvoline. I was sitting in the driver’s seat and had both hands full. The technician just said, I can tap your card in the car, so I pulled out my phone, double-clicked, authenticated, and held it to the reader. It processed instantly – no hassle of searching for my wallet.

Why Use Apple Pay at Valvoline?

You might ask: Why bother with Apple Pay instead of just using a card or cash? Here are a few reasons why using mobile pay at Valvoline (or any auto shop) can be a plus:

• Convenience: You don’t have to carry your wallet or fumble with cards. If your iPhone or Apple Watch is in hand, you’re ready to pay. Valvoline drive-thrus typically don’t require you to get out of the car, so tapping from the driver’s seat is quick.
• Speed: Contactless payments are often faster than inserting a chip card or counting cash. A simple tap and done. This can shave seconds off the checkout, which is handy if you’re in a hurry.
• Security: Apple Pay is very secure. It uses Touch ID/Face ID and a virtual account number, so Valvoline never sees your actual card details. If you misplace your phone, you can lock Apple Pay remotely. For many, this feels safer than handing over a credit card.
• Rewards and Tracking: Since Apple Pay uses your linked credit/debit cards, you can still earn points or cashback as usual. Plus, your payment shows up on your Apple Wallet history right away, so you don’t have to keep paper receipts if you don’t want to.
• Hygiene (Bonus): A lot of people started paying with phones during COVID-19 to avoid touching PIN pads or giving cash. Valvoline’s pandemic-era updates specifically encouraged contactless payment for safety.

Think of it this way: Apple Pay at Valvoline works just like paying at a drive-through restaurant or a coffee shop – secure, fast, and one less thing to keep track of in your pocket. For DIY car owners, it’s just another small convenience that makes a routine oil change a bit smoother. And since Valvoline’s system is set up for it, there’s no extra fee or sign-up beyond what you already did in Wallet.

Other Mobile Wallets and Alternatives

While this post focuses on Apple Pay, Valvoline accepts Google Pay in the same way for Android users. Google Pay also uses NFC, so you’d tap your Android phone to pay. (Valvoline even mentions Samsung Pay acceptance on some community forums, since Samsung phones have a similar tap-to-pay feature, though Valvoline’s official materials only name Apple and Google.)

No matter which digital wallet you use, the experience is similar:

• Google Pay on Android: Unlock your phone and tap to pay at the text.
• Samsung Pay (Samsung devices): Unlock and tap; Samsung Pay emulates a credit card signal.

So if you prefer Android or happen to have a Samsung, you’re covered too. The key is that your device supports NFC and you have a card in the wallet app.

If, for any reason, your chosen wallet fails, Valvoline still takes standard payments. Have a credit/debit card ready as a backup. (It’s rare to need it, but technical glitches happen.)

Tips for a Smooth Payment Experience

Here are a few practical tips from car owners and oil-change veterans to ensure your Valvoline visit goes off without a hitch:

• Check Compatibility: Make sure your iPhone or watch is up to date and your card is added to Wallet. Any iPhone 6 or newer supports Apple Pay. If your device is very old (pre-2014), it won’t work. But most modern phones do.
• Signal Strength: Sometimes, the NFC reader in a drive-thru can be finicky. If one side of the car or a window is blocked (like a thick windshield), try a different angle or rolling down the window slightly.
• Ask at the Counter: If it’s your first time at a specific Valvoline, just ask Can I pay with Apple Pay? Usually, the technician will have a PDA or card reader ready. If not, they may have to wait while you swipe a card. It’s better to check upfront.
• Keep Your Phone Charged: If your battery dies, you won’t be able to use Apple Pay. Just a reminder – keep some juice in your phone before heading in.
• Have a Backup: Occasionally, a local store might not update its readers. In that case, they’ll let you know. It’s wise to have one physical card or cash in your glove box just in case.
• Valvoline App and Online: Valvoline has a mobile app (Instant Oil Change) that lets you schedule appointments and see coupons. It doesn’t replace in-store payment, but you might use your Apple Pay card info for online purchases (like buying oil filters or gift cards) in the app. This isn’t common, but good to know.

Overall, most Valvoline patrons report that Apple Pay works seamlessly. We tested it at a couple of locations, and it was as fast as grabbing a snack at a convenience store.

Quick Checklist: When you arrive for your oil change, remind yourself: (1) I have Apple Pay set up, (2) iPhone is unlocked, (3) ask the attendant if needed, (4) tap and confirm. That’s it!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Valvoline accept Apple Pay at all locations?
Valvoline’s Instant Oil Change centers generally do accept Apple Pay for contactless payment. This includes most drive-thru and in-store service centers. However, because Valvoline is a franchise system, payment options can vary slightly. It’s a good idea to call your local Valvoline ahead of time if you want to be sure.

Can I use Apple Pay for any service at Valvoline?
Yes. Apple Pay can be used for any transaction at Valvoline – oil changes, fluid exchanges, filter changes, etc. As long as you’re paying at the point of sale, Apple Pay works just like a credit card.

What if Apple Pay doesn’t work?
If, for some reason, your Apple Pay transaction fails, Valvoline can still take a card or cash. There’s no penalty – just swipe your physical card. Also, ensure your device isn’t in airplane mode and your card hasn’t expired. If problems persist, ask the technician to try their reader again or let you enter the card in another way.

Does Valvoline take Google Pay or Samsung Pay, too?
Yes, Valvoline accepts Google Pay the same way as Apple Pay. Many locations also work with Samsung Pay since it uses NFC. In general, any tap-to-pay mobile wallet should work on Valvoline’s NFC terminals.

Are there other contactless ways to pay at Valvoline?
Besides Apple/Google Pay, Valvoline is starting to accept contactless credit/debit cards (the ones you tap). So if your card has the wireless symbol, you can tap that too. Also, Valvoline gift cards can sometimes be used in their digital form.