London Oyster Card v Australian Credit Cards

[EestiTiger]

Hi team - I was gearing up to get an Oyster Card for some time I have in UK later this year and a friend mentioned you can simply use your credit card, so no need...

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless/what-are-contactless-payment-cards?intcmp=8610

I know I'll get slugged with a 3% Foreign Conversion Fee (if I use my AMEX Ultimate Card). If it means one less city public transport card, it is a win as far as I am concerned.

Out of interest, has anyone had any experience using Australia Credit Cards for public transport in London?

 

[Austman]

Out of interest, has anyone had any experience using Australia Credit Cards for public transport in London?

Me.

A 28 Degrees card had no transaction fees. This is for May 2016:

26 - May TFL.GOV.UK/CP TFL TRAVEL CH GBR, GBP 3.10, Rate: 2.051612, AUD 6.36

31 - May TFL.GOV.UK/CP TFL TRAVEL CH GBR, GBP 5.10, Rate: 2.027450, AUD 10.34

The above was from LHR to central London and back. The exchange rate is a lot better for the AUD today.

 

[Pleb Status]

I used my Australian Platinum Charge without issue in December. The daily fare capping worked as well. Weekly fare capping only applies to contactless cards (and not on the Oyster).

I will most likely cash in my Oyster on my next trip later this year.

 

[EestiTiger]

Thanks for that. I have a 28 degree card in the back pocket too so nice to know it works.

 

[scwappy]

Make sure you use the same card all the time to take advantage of daily and weekly maximums.

 

[kpc]

I have used my Bankwest and 28 degrees MC several times....got a refund for my Oyster card as I no longer need it

 

[Geegeela]

Qantas Cash works smoothly on all of them too.

 

[EestiTiger]

Thanks all some good tips there

 

[serfty]

Yep ... oyster is now redundant.

All daily transactions are tallied and one charge applied.

 

[scwappy]

Yep ... oyster is now redundant.

All daily transactions are tallied and one charge applied.

Pretty much. I think the only time it could still be useful is a weekly travel card which starts later in the week. The Contactless weekly capping always starts on Monday whereas a weekly pass can start on any day you choose.

 

[albyd]

I used my iPhone/Apple Pay last July in London. Worked very well. Just got to make sure your phone battery doesn't go flat. Can report the same experience as everyone else.
Now we need Sydney to allow our cards on PT so don't need to carry Opal (though extra supermarket points at Woolies reloading opal is a handy bonus).

 

[marki]

Me.

A 28 Degrees card had no transaction fees. This is for May 2016:

26 - May TFL.GOV.UK/CP TFL TRAVEL CH GBR, GBP 3.10, Rate: 2.051612, AUD 6.36

31 - May TFL.GOV.UK/CP TFL TRAVEL CH GBR, GBP 5.10, Rate: 2.027450, AUD 10.34

The above was from LHR to central London and back. The exchange rate is a lot better for the AUD today.

Must say very similar circumstances cannot praise 28 degrees high enough.
Apart from now paying a admin fee for transferring payment to the card ( paying off closing balance)

My osyster card mysteriously has 300 pounds on it?

I don't know how?

 

[Franky]

Yep ... oyster is now redundant.

All daily transactions are tallied and one charge applied.

Am I reading this correctly, you can swipe a CC or a QF cash card at the barriers as you would for the Oyster card? Sounds too simple to be true.

 

[Geegeela]

Am I reading this correctly, you can swipe a CC or a QF cash card at the barriers as you would for the Oyster card? Sounds too simple to be true.

Yes, and on the buses too.

 

[serfty]

Am I reading this correctly, you can swipe a CC or a QF cash card at the barriers as you would for the Oyster card? Sounds too simple to be true.

Yes, and on the buses too.

Yep, any Oz paywave card it seems.

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless

 

[Franky]

Yep, any Oz paywave card it seems.

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless

Gosh - what'll they think of next?..

 

[serfty]

Gosh - what'll they think of next?..

Won't happen in Oz in the near future.

Contracted service provides have factored in profits from selling travel smart cards (myki, go card ...).

 

[kpc]

Won't happen in Oz in the near future.

Contracted service provides have factored in profits from selling travel smart cards (myki, go card ...).

I think Sydney are looking at it.....how long it takes to eventuate, who knows!

 

[moa999]

I think Sydney are looking at it.....how long it takes to eventuate, who knows!

Trial reportedly planned for later this year starting with the Manly Ferry (ferries were also stage 1 in the initial Opal rollout)

 

[Princess Fiona]

I couldn't get my mastercard to work this morning so bought an Oyster card instead. It has worked on previous visits so not sure why