In those commercials, (because presumably each purchase is less than $250 everyone is using the Visa equivalent of PayPass, where all you do is pass your card in front of the reader and go...
Mastercard calls it "Tap N Go?
Just one tap of your MasterCard PayPass card on the PayPass reader at participating locations and you're good to go. It works just like your traditional MasterCard card?but no more swiping or giving your card to cashiers. No fishing for coins or waiting for change. PayPass makes the transaction process simpler and quicker for all?at fast food restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, and more.
Built-in technology
The MasterCard PayPass card has built-in chip and antenna technology, as well as a standard magnetic stripe. The card and specially equipped PayPass terminals communicate payment card details using very short range radio waves. "
While Visa calls it Visa Contactless
"Benefits
Visa Contactless has many benefits:
Makes checkout faster and easier
No signature required for most purchases under $25.
Visa Contactless provides you with the same security protection you get with the traditional Visa cards, including Zero Liability.¹
Transactions are processed through the same, reliable payment network as magnetic stripe transactions.
Particularly useful for smaller, quick purchases at places like convenience stores or quick"
So, using these cards WOULD be faster than fumbling for cash, and waiting for some math-challenged individual to make change...even when the cash register tells them how much to give you, they still have to figure out how many of those shiny coins it takes...