60+ oyster card yearly fess and validation

soolin

OK I'm probably the only person who didn't know this, but apparently the over 60+ oyster card needs an address confirmation and £10 payment every year to remain valid. This applies to those issued after August 2019.

I just got a letter from TFL which I first thought was a scam until I realised it all has to be done via a post office rather than any dodgy website. The letter tells me that I have approx 4 weeks to revalidate my over 60 oyster card with proof of my address within a London Borough (there are a list of allowable documents) and these need to be verified at a post office and a £10 fee paid  to use the card for another year. Apparently failure to do so will cancel my card and it will cost me £20 to reapply.

My OH has had his for ages so has never had to do this, and that's why I initially thought this was some sort of scam. Luckily I go to the PO occasionally with my business post so it won't be an extra trip for me, but I imagine that some people will be anxious about making an un necessary trip especially when they are unlikely to be using public transport anyway.

soolin

Update; I've just gone into my account and it appears this can be done online if you have a scanner to upload documents, so giving that a try now. 

General_Grant

soolin said:

OK I'm probably the only person who didn't know this, but apparently the over 60+ oyster card needs an address confirmation and £10 payment every year to remain valid. This applies to those issued after August 2019.

I just got a letter from TFL which I first thought was a scam until I realised it all has to be done via a post office rather than any dodgy website. The letter tells me that I have approx 4 weeks to revalidate my over 60 oyster card with proof of my address within a London Borough (there are a list of allowable documents) and these need to be verified at a post office and a £10 fee paid  to use the card for another year. Apparently failure to do so will cancel my card and it will cost me £20 to reapply.

My OH has had his for ages so has never had to do this, and that's why I initially thought this was some sort of scam. Luckily I go to the PO occasionally with my business post so it won't be an extra trip for me, but I imagine that some people will be anxious about making an un necessary trip especially when they are unlikely to be using public transport anyway.

I know you are going to follow the online route (good to know about that) but if someone is not using public transport they don't need the pass.  When they do reapply (if not by then eligible for free Freedom Pass) they will pay an extra £10 but it will mean they are closer to the Freedom Pass and have had the base £10 in their pocket in the meantime.

Jumblebumble

soolin said:

Update; I've just gone into my account and it appears this can be done online if you have a scanner to upload documents, so giving that a try now. 

It works on line just fine.

soolin

Jumblebumble said:

soolin said:

Update; I've just gone into my account and it appears this can be done online if you have a scanner to upload documents, so giving that a try now. 

It works on line just fine.

It seemed to work OK online for me as well, at least they haven't told me it has failed- so far! 

FaceHead

Do you know why you've been asked to re-validate, but your OH hasn't? I understood it was a one off put in your driving license number and you're good until it expires and you get a freedom pass? 

macman

FaceHead said:

Do you know why you've been asked to re-validate, but your OH hasn't? I understood it was a one off put in your driving license number and you're good until it expires and you get a freedom pass? 

Because the OH's was issued prior to 8/19. Those should remain valid until you reach Freedom Pass eligibility at age 65.

If it was a scam, then the scammers wouldn't exclude any passes issued prior to 8/19.

soolin

FaceHead said:

Do you know why you've been asked to re-validate, but your OH hasn't? I understood it was a one off put in your driving license number and you're good until it expires and you get a freedom pass? 

It used to be like that, and that’s why my OH hasn’t had to re validate as he is older than me and his pass pre dates the 2019 cut off. I just hope I can get out to use it soon now I have renewed it , at the moment I tend to walk anywhere I need to go or use the car if I need to go slightly further afield. 

soolin

Just an update for anyone that has to update in the future. I uploaded all my relevant documents on the 20th January the day I got the letter and they still still showing as awaiting approval. My oyster apparently expires in 3 days and luckily I don't need to use it, but after we are all allowed out properly waiting this long for your documents to be checked might become an issue for some people who regularly use their oyster cards.

My suggestion for anyone needing to revalidate would be to do it as soon as the letter drops through your door , don't wait as you may find yourself without a valid oyster.

soolin

well another update- this just gets stranger. It still shows as awaiting address validation so I gave TFL a call. They firstly said that they do not understand why I am revalidating as my card doesn't expire until 2026 , but the clerk went and checked and came back and said that I am correct, and I need to re confirm my address. She can see the £10 payment on my account but cannot see any outstanding request for an address nor can she see my address pending message. We went round in circles for a while as she checked again about the address verification as she wasn't aware it was needed, but finally agreed it was- her only suggestion was to try getting on a bus or public transport on the day after my ticket technically expires as per my letter- and see what happens! If I am denied travel then to call them back.