You guessed wrong! Apple's deal is with the card issuers, so the only people doomed by Apple's disfavor are customers with cards from banks that haven't adopted

You guessed wrong! Apple's deal is with the card issuers, so the only people doomed by Apple's disfavor are customers with cards from banks that haven't adopted Apple Pay. Apple has no say over which merchant can use it. Also I think you missed the part where Apple Pay doesn't involve 3 digit CVVs.