Is my Oyster Card valid?
Aug 18th, 2015, 08:10 AM
#2
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It's an RFID card, there isn't a magnetic strip
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyster_card#Technology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oyster_card#Technology
Aug 18th, 2015, 09:22 AM
#3
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If you register your Oyster card on
https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/link/0004.do
you can check how much credit the card has.
https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/link/0004.do
you can check how much credit the card has.
Aug 18th, 2015, 10:43 AM
#5
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Thanks to all of you for your responses! Tulips, I went into the website you gave, put in the number on the back of the card, upper right hand corner, and got a message that said " You can't add this type of Oyster card to an online account". Please call TFL Customer Service. I am in the United States, they show they are open from 8am to 8 pm, it is 8:30 there now. When I received the cards a few days ago I was immediately concerned because there is nothing to "read" on them, and now the website "rejects" them. Can anyone tell me what the back of that'd should look like, or why the would not be accepted by the website?
Aug 18th, 2015, 10:51 AM
#8
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Aug 18th, 2015, 11:52 AM
#10
I registered a Visitor card I inherited, along with two "regular" cards.
I suggest that you create your user account, give it a day or two,
then try again.
The website can be quirky - I recently tried to register an Oyster and was told I could not do it for security reasons. The next day I tried again and it said I needed to enter details of my last journey using it, which I couldn't.
Day #3 I tried again and all it wanted was the security question I set up when I created my user account.
I suggest that you create your user account, give it a day or two,
then try again.
The website can be quirky - I recently tried to register an Oyster and was told I could not do it for security reasons. The next day I tried again and it said I needed to enter details of my last journey using it, which I couldn't.
Day #3 I tried again and all it wanted was the security question I set up when I created my user account.
Aug 18th, 2015, 12:03 PM
#11
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"I registered a Visitor card I inherited, along with two "regular" cards."
Yes, but you can't create an online account with a Visitor card. You can't, for example, have automatic topping up.
Registering more or less just provides some protection should you lose it, etc.
As far as day to day use is concerned, the issue scarcely matters. Visitor cards (which really are little more than a useful way of inflating TfL's income at the expense of people reluctant to buy over the counter or from machines) can be topped up at ticket counters (if you can find one) and machines, and as far as getting you round the network is concerned - they work just like ordinary ones.
Yes, but you can't create an online account with a Visitor card. You can't, for example, have automatic topping up.
Registering more or less just provides some protection should you lose it, etc.
As far as day to day use is concerned, the issue scarcely matters. Visitor cards (which really are little more than a useful way of inflating TfL's income at the expense of people reluctant to buy over the counter or from machines) can be topped up at ticket counters (if you can find one) and machines, and as far as getting you round the network is concerned - they work just like ordinary ones.
Aug 19th, 2015, 12:01 AM
#13
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I wouldn't know, since I've bought my Oysters in London. I can't see the advantage of purchasing one ahead of time.
Since I sometimes forget them, I now have about 8 or so. Registering is useful, as I can then see which ones still have value left on them.
You can easily check the value on the card at any station by just touching the card on one of the vending machines.
Since I sometimes forget them, I now have about 8 or so. Registering is useful, as I can then see which ones still have value left on them.
You can easily check the value on the card at any station by just touching the card on one of the vending machines.
Aug 19th, 2015, 04:48 AM
#14
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Thank you Tulips for even more good info. I hope I'm not over thinking this subject, but I understood that one of the benefits of a visitor card was the daily cap, that is a little over £6. I can't be charged more than that no matter how much I travel that day. Is that not really a benefit? I see that both you and Flanneruk see no point in buying ahead of time. Although it's too late this time as I already have the visitor card, I appreciate your input as we will be traveling to England again in the future. I love that so many of you are so willing to help and advise those of us who are learning! Thank you!
Aug 19th, 2015, 05:08 AM
#15
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The daily cap is the same for everyone regardless of where you got your Oyster card. 6.40 for zone 1 and 2.
https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/do...dult-fares.pdf
You have the card now, so it doesn't matter.
But for future reference: http://www.londontoolkit.com/blog/tr...which-is-best/
"A lot of visitors are under the impression that a Visitors Oyster Card is in some way a better deal than a standard Oyster Card purchased in London.
The reality is the opposite is true, the only reason to purchase a Visitors Oyster Card is if you are happy to pay a price premium for a less flexible product just for the convenience of having the Oyster Cards in your hands before departure to London.
Oyster Cards bought in London have a refundable deposit of £5, Visitor Oyster Cards have a non refundable deposit of £3.
Oyster Cards bought in London allow you to load Travelcards (but not 1 day Travelcards) onto your Oyster. If you are staying 6 or more days a 7 day Travelcard will probably be cheaper than Oyster alone. Visitor Oyster Cards do not have this capability"
https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/do...dult-fares.pdf
You have the card now, so it doesn't matter.
But for future reference: http://www.londontoolkit.com/blog/tr...which-is-best/
"A lot of visitors are under the impression that a Visitors Oyster Card is in some way a better deal than a standard Oyster Card purchased in London.
The reality is the opposite is true, the only reason to purchase a Visitors Oyster Card is if you are happy to pay a price premium for a less flexible product just for the convenience of having the Oyster Cards in your hands before departure to London.
Oyster Cards bought in London have a refundable deposit of £5, Visitor Oyster Cards have a non refundable deposit of £3.
Oyster Cards bought in London allow you to load Travelcards (but not 1 day Travelcards) onto your Oyster. If you are staying 6 or more days a 7 day Travelcard will probably be cheaper than Oyster alone. Visitor Oyster Cards do not have this capability"
Aug 19th, 2015, 06:03 AM
#16
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".was led to believe that a visitor card was the least expensive way to go for a visitor."
Be aware of the way the transport companies increase their income from unsuspecting tourists, another one is the Heathrow Express (or generally anything with express in it's name).
Be aware of the way the transport companies increase their income from unsuspecting tourists, another one is the Heathrow Express (or generally anything with express in it's name).
Aug 19th, 2015, 10:20 AM
#18
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I may have old information, but I think when you order Visitor card online, the only option is PAYG credit and of course the £3 activation fee. The shipping is what makes it expensive: probably another £4.
So not the worst deal in the world and some may find it convenient. And, the card is pretty.
So not the worst deal in the world and some may find it convenient. And, the card is pretty.
Aug 19th, 2015, 01:07 PM
#20
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I'm not sure you can't load a Travelcard onto a Visitors' Oyster.
The TfL website doesn't say you can - but why on earth would anyone waste IT developers' time stripping out a minor functionality, of significance to practically no-one and almost guaranteed to create unforeseen consequences? Common sense says the purpose of the Visitors Oyster is to extract a few quid more: not to be downright stupid.
I know many Americans live under the delusion that there's no limit to the prodigality and folly of government-run organisations. But that tells us more about many Americans than about a transport company that, over the past decade, has turned itself into an almost embarrassingly well-run public service business.
Almost in the same league as the BBC (if only its private-sector media critics were half as objective or efficient), the John Lewis Partnership or the Midcounties Co-op.
The TfL website doesn't say you can - but why on earth would anyone waste IT developers' time stripping out a minor functionality, of significance to practically no-one and almost guaranteed to create unforeseen consequences? Common sense says the purpose of the Visitors Oyster is to extract a few quid more: not to be downright stupid.
I know many Americans live under the delusion that there's no limit to the prodigality and folly of government-run organisations. But that tells us more about many Americans than about a transport company that, over the past decade, has turned itself into an almost embarrassingly well-run public service business.
Almost in the same league as the BBC (if only its private-sector media critics were half as objective or efficient), the John Lewis Partnership or the Midcounties Co-op.
