What type of card allows users to make payments without direct interaction with a payment terminal?

A contactless card is designed specifically to facilitate quick and convenient transactions without the need for physical contact with a payment terminal. This technology utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC), enabling users to simply tap their card near a reader to complete a payment. This method streamlines the payment process, making it faster and often more user-friendly, especially for low-value transactions.

In contrast, debit and credit cards typically require the user to swipe or insert the card into a terminal and sometimes enter a personal identification number (PIN), which involves direct interaction. A cheque, on the other hand, is a written order directing a bank to pay a specific amount from one's account, and it requires manual handling and processing, making it incompatible with the concept of contactless payments. Thus, the contactless card stands out as the correct type of card for making payments without direct interaction with a payment terminal.