Visitor Oyster Cards - how do they work?

kjrann

Thanks - yeah I have a Starling Debit Card that I use for overseas travel and just top up what I need each day, so sounds like the best way forward. I have re-sent my email again to TfL today for a response

The card was cloned when buying a tube ticket at Victoria station - it was the only time I used the card during that period. It was a few years ago but but it was such a hassle that it's put me off using one, that and of course dropping it or losing it.

Jaybee_16

What will I pay?

Depending on your travel pattern, you'll never be charged more than the relevant cap for a day or a week.

Caps for Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and National Rail services

The adult rate caps are the most you'll pay when using contactless or Oyster to pay as you go across all modes, within the zones you travel in.

Zone(s)	One Day Anytime	Monday to Sunday
Zone 1 only	£8.90	£44.70
Zone 1 and 2	£8.90	£44.70
Zone 1, 2 and 3	£10.50	£52.50
Zone 1, 2, 3 and 4	£12.80	£64.20
Zone 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5	£15.30	£76.40
Zone 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6	£16.30	£81.60

Your trips were all in zone 1 so the cap should be £8.90 per day.

kjrann

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988555#Comment_81988555

Thanks - I do have a Starling debit card that I use for overseas travel so may just use that in future.

I've called TfL today and apparently there is not enough data on the card for them to discuss my query with me - seemingly you have to have made 2 separate journeys on two different days before there is sufficient data for me to answer their security questions! She thinks what may have happened is I tapped the card, it didn't register the open the turnstile so I tapped again to go through and were then charged twice. The only time I recall this happening was when it told me I had insufficient credit and a top-up was required. Although presumably if this was the scenario that could still happen if using a debit card? However I still don't understand why it didn't cap the journeys?

My card was cloned when I used the ticket machine at Victoria Station. It was the only time I used my debit card that day (usually use my credit card). It was a few years ago now but was such a hassle that I wanted to avoid any chance of it happening again!

I've decided the Visitor Card is more hassle and expense than it is actually worth so I may just get a blue Oyster card next time I'm visiting so that I can add my new Railcard too or use a debit card.

flaneurs_lobster

I've called TfL today and apparently there is not enough data on the card for them to discuss my query with me - seemingly you have to have made 2 separate journeys on two different days before there is sufficient data for me to answer their security questions! 

Are TfL's systems still recovering from that enormous data hack they had a few years back because - forgive me - that sounds like utter !!!!!!.

TfL gate card readers have a 30 second timeout on reading the same card twice (successfully).