Sydney - Contactless Payments at Opal readers now available

[VPS]

Not that I use the opal card often but how do you get discounts ?
Husband has just applied for his seniors card so he can get his seniors Opal card

Go onto their website and you'll have to fill out a form and upload a copy of your seniors card - takes about two weeks to get your card

 

[Melburnian1]

Go onto their website and you'll have to fill out a form and upload a copy of your seniors card - takes about two weeks to get your card

While I am not eligible for a seniors card yet, the procedure for interstate seniors is strange as one has to apply, and then the card is only valid for three months after one receives it in the mail. Ham fisted because anyone who was repeatedly in Sydney or NSW but who didn't live in the state would cost NSW a lot in administraton by repeatedly applying for a new card.

 

[Nukie]

While I am not eligible for a seniors card yet, the procedure for interstate seniors is strange as one has to apply, and then the card is only valid for three months after one receives it in the mail. Ham fisted because anyone who was repeatedly in Sydney or NSW but who didn't live in the state would cost NSW a lot in administraton by repeatedly applying for a new card.

We live in WA and have a concession Opal card that is on auto top up. Don't have to renew it after 3 months. I think that's different than the Seniors card though.

 

[Buzzard]

In answer to @mrsterryn, even though I live in ADL, I am entitled to and have a Seniors Opal Card. "The System" recognises the card as such so my travel is capped at $2.50/day excluding the airport. I assume that in NSW like in SA the Seniors card automatically incorporates the Opal.

 

[Buzzard]

While I am not eligible for a seniors card yet, the procedure for interstate seniors is strange as one has to apply, and then the card is only valid for three months after one receives it in the mail. Ham fisted because anyone who was repeatedly in Sydney or NSW but who didn't live in the state would cost NSW a lot in administraton by repeatedly applying for a new card.

This is no longer correct, I think it was @serfty that alerted me. Whilst the interstate seniors Opal used to last only 72 (?) days it now lasts for 3 years. As a regular NSW visitor it was a pain except when going to the airport

 

[neils2004]

My understanding is that overseas visitors will be hit with a “conversion fee” every time their card is used.
Better for overseas visitors to stick with an Opal card.

 

[Nukie]

That would be correct for overseas visitors. If they had a preloaded travel card it shouldn't charge a fee. Our Qantas cash card with £s worked fine on UK trains

 

[SydneySwan]

My understanding is that overseas visitors will be hit with a “conversion fee” every time their card is used.
Better for overseas visitors to stick with an Opal card.

I think for overseas visitors there would be a conversion fee on every transaction here, not just for Opal. It is the same when we use an Aussie credit card on the tube in London where we would be charged an FX conversion fee unless using a card like 28 degrees or ING.

 

[awaywithfairies]

In answer to @mrsterryn, even though I live in ADL, I am entitled to and have a Seniors Opal Card. "The System" recognises the card as such so my travel is capped at $2.50/day excluding the airport. I assume that in NSW like in SA the Seniors card automatically incorporates the Opal.

No, unlike SA, the NSW seniors card doesn't incorporate Opal/public transport into the same card. You need to apply for a separate card quoting the seniors card number to prove eligibility.

 

[clarkkent]

Any way to get a tax invoice if tapping on with a credit card?

 

[tdimdad]

Any way to get a tax invoice if tapping on with a credit card?

Seems that the only trace of a transaction will in your credit card statement. Due to the lack of a separate receipt, I ran into a "little discussion" at work where our lovely finance team insisted on me writing a stat dec for a single train journey from the airport to home. Welcome to modern ages...

 

[tdimdad]

...I will continue using my Opal card ... able to top up Opal at Woolworths / Coles at 5% discount, Amex shop small promos etc.

Didn't even know the supermarkets somehow gave you a discount on the top-up. Though, the auto-top-up is heaps more convenient that manual. What are these Amex promos in relation to the Opal card???

 

[moa999]

They now have a contactless login but from a transport forum the information provided is rather basic.
Also now built into the official Opal App

Contactless Payments | transportnsw.info

transportnsw.info

 

[serfty]

Didn't even know the supermarkets somehow gave you a discount on the top-up. Though, the auto-top-up is heaps more convenient that manual. What are these Amex promos in relation to the Opal card???

You can generally buy supermarket discount cards online at a ~5% discount.

Money Hack: How to save at Coles with eGift cards

Depending on where you buy your digital gift card, you could get anywhere from 4% to 15% off when you use it at Coles.

www.finder.com.au

 

[pauly7]

Does using the latest Sydney initiative raise further privacy or 'snooping by Visa, or Google' issues?

You are already selling all of your credit card transactions (your bank does it). Nab is especially active in this area. So yes they will get even more data about your physical movements.

 

[moa999]

I believe they bank can only see that you moved (and got charged a $ amount).
They don't have access to the underlying A-B-C data

 

[alphahelix]

wouldnt it be nice to have suica/icoca/pasmo similar kinda cards here for everything from transportation to payment of food/groceries. one card rules all.

 

[AIRwin]

Transport news | transportnsw.info

Stay across the most recent updates and changes to services, as well as major event information and improvements to the public transport network in NSW

transportnsw.info

 

[Mattg]

Transport news | transportnsw.info

Stay across the most recent updates and changes to services, as well as major event information and improvements to the public transport network in NSW

transportnsw.info

This is great!

So, what should I do with my current Opal card? I won't be needing it any more, can you get a refund of the remaining balance?

 

[serfty]

can you get a refund of the remaining balance?

seems so:

Opal refunds and fare adjustments

Find out how to apply for a refund or fare adjustment on your Opal card

transportnsw.info