Apple Pay launched in the UK without the participation of most of the major banks, including HSBC, which was listed as a launch partner.
HSBC had been expected to be amongst the first to offer the system, which allows some iPhone users to pay by touching their phone or watch on contact pads.
Instead, the bank said it was planning to launch the service by the end of this month.
Barclays had always planned to join later, along with Lloyds and its Halifax and Bank of Scotland subsidiaries, M&S Bank and TSB.
RBS and its Natwest and Ulster Bank subsidiaries, MBNA, Nationwide and Santander customers were able to load their cards and use Apple Pay from the first day, as were American Express, MasterCard and Visa credit card holders.
More than 250,000 locations across the country accept the contactless payment service, including M&S, Boots and on the London transport network.
But the fact not all British banks are offering the service from the day of launch has led to angry users taking to Twitter to vent their frustration and outrage.
Not only that, but others seemingly had problems using the payment method.
One tweeted ‘Help! Getting card not added error message with Apple Pay,’ and a second added: ‘Not working. The verification page won’t even load in the Apple Watch app.’
Supporters of Apple Pay argue that it will contribute to the UK’s position as a relatively advanced payments market.
There are an estimated 400,000 contactless payment terminals in the UK in total.
UK consumers have become used to paying with contactless cards through Transport for London’s Oyster card scheme on London underground and over-ground trains and buses, which was later expanded to allow payment directly via contactless debit cards.
“Innovation in UK payments means it’s fast becoming the most advanced market in the world and the arrival of Apple Pay heralds this new era,” said Mark Barnett, president of MasterCard UK & Ireland.
“We will see more change in the next five years than we’ve seen in the last 50, bringing even more convenience and security for consumers.”