Senior Railcard / Oyster / Contactless

dampsquib

I've had a couple of friends suggest to me that I don't need an Oyster Card anymore when I visit London, as I can just pay with a bank card using Contactless.
I've pointed out to them that they are missing out on their off-peak discount by not using an Oyster card (which has been updated to show that they have a Senior Railcard).
I wonder how many others are missing out?

agrinnall

It's a good point, I don't visit London very often but last time I just used a contactless card rather than my Oyster, I'll need to investigate the Senior Railcard on Oyster option as I'll be there again in a couple of weeks.

martindow

You can get an Oystercard linked to a Senior Railcard by asking a TfL employee by the ticket gates to do it for you now that ticket offices are closed. You need to relink every time you get a new railcard.

agrinnall

I need to get a new Oyster card first as mine is a 1st generation one and it appears to need to be a 2nd generation in order to get the railcard linked to it.

dampsquib

Wasn't aware of it 'til now, but I guess my Oyster card must be a second generation one.
Shame there is no online means of linking an Oyster to a Railcard, but at least the hassle of getting a TFL staff member to do it, is just a one-off bit of hassle each time you have a new Railcard.

jbuchanangb

My Senior Railcard is linked to a 1st Generation Oyster Card, I will need it re-linked next time I am in London, as I have just renewed it. It is not possible to link a Senior Railcard to a TfL account using contactless card. Railcard users should use Oyster to get the off-peak discounts.

french1234

how do i link them together please

martindow

french1234 said:

how do i link them together please

You ask a TfL employee on the gateline at any tube station to do this.  It's probably possible to do at Overground stations too.