#NYCFail – I Lost My Metrocard. Again. | brokeGIRLrich
You may have noticed that more than once I’ve talked about losing my Metrocard (here, oh, and here). Lots of times when you talk about a fail, you don’t get the most sympathetic audience, but based on the responses I got regarding losing my Metrocard, I’m not the only who has frantically searched all of my pockets while blocking a turnstyle.
Whether it’s a single $2.50 ride, a weekly pass or your monthly Metrocard – disappeared into the ether on the third day of the month – that crappy feeling of literally throwing away money is the same.
Since this has happened to me now TWICE, I’ve started trying to develop a better system for keeping track of that sucker and I have a backup Metrocard with a few dollars on it in my wallet – even if I have to refill it, I’ll save $1.00 on the card fee. Ideally though, I won’t even need to use that. My monthly card lives in my wallet now instead of just in my pocket. In a specific, easy to see spot.
On the plus side, my panic can be your gain. Here are a few things I’ve learned about what to do if you lose your Metrocard:
1.) If you’re buying a monthly or 7-day Metrocard, do it with a credit or debit card. This way if it’s lost, it is covered under the balance protection program. Essentially you can call 718-330-1234 and provide them with the credit card number you used and you’ll be refunded $3.74 per day remaining on your card. You can do this twice a year. The first time is free. The second time costs $5.00.
2.) You can also buy an EasyPay Express card with a set amount on it. If that gets lost, you can call the EasyPay Account Service Center at 1-877-323-7433 and they will deactivate the card and mail you a replacement one. Of course, this is a pain, since it will still take several days to get to you.
However, an even better option is to see if your employer is signed up with TransitChek– and if they’re not, maybe direct them to the website. You save money by buying your card with pretax money and your employer saves money by lowering their payroll.
This has honestly become one of my favorite perks to my job. Mostly because if when I lose my Metrocard, I just need to buy 1 ride to the office on Avenue of the Americas, where, within 5 minutes, I have a new Metrocard in my hands, with no fuss at all. I filled out a quick form and they printed me a new one on the spot.
Or, I guess I could just learn how to be responsible with my things… but that is an ongoing process that hasn’t been 100% successful yet.
Cool App to Ease the Metrocard Madness
Refill My Metrocard! for Android – calculates the correct amount to put on your card to even out the bonuses. Because, really, WTF MTA? Those bonuses are weird.
*Part of Financially Savvy Saturdays on Femme Frugality and Debt Free Tejana*
Can you punch a hole through it and put a keyring then attach it to your keys?
Lots of people do that with their passes here in Toronto.
save. spend. splurge. recently posted…Baby Bun is here! The experience of giving birth via C-Section in Toronto
That’s a pretty good idea. Except I think it would really need to laminated or something, because the paper is flimsy, but then it wouldn’t go through the reader when I’m actually trying to use it. Finally moving it to my wallet seems to have done the trick. I’m aiming for March to be my first update since moving that DOESN’T include having lost my Metrocard again.
Oh girl. I know this pain. I am constantly losing my CTA transit card. Getting those suckers replaced takes 2 weeks and cost over $40. I’ve probably lost mine 6 times in the last two years. UGH!
Michelle @fitisthenewpoor recently posted…Friday Roundup #21: Baltimore Bound
I’ve never heard of the balance protection program, that’s amazing!
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life recently posted…My Problem With Faith
I know! I feel like I learned about it a little too late, but it’s definitely a great program.
I keep my metrocard in this thingy I have to keep my business card in. I’m knocking on wood as we speak, but so far, I’ve not lost my card!
Debby recently posted…Day 150 – The Things on My Want List.
I’ve never had to use the balance protection program, but glad that it’s there. It’s pretty easy to lose or misplace it. I usually just put it in my wallet. My wife has a metro card holder thing. Buying metrocards with pretax money is great…saves a lot of money!
Andrew@LivingRichCheaply recently posted…Are Personal Finance Bloggers “Pound Foolish”?
Wallets seem to be the way to go. I feel like they should have a little warning printed on them – do not place in pocket.
Keeping my metro card in my wallet has also worked for me! Relying on pockets, then having to remember to switch pockets, was terrible planning.
Leslie Beslie recently posted…Pinata Cake Instructions With Surprise M&M’s Inside
Agreed.
I have not seen that refill my metro card app, awesome!!! I never know how the “bonuses” work and always feel as though I have weird amounts left on my cards. The worst thing for me is thinking I have lost one, getting a new one, only to find the old one which leads to metro cards all over the place with random balances.
Shannon @ Financially Blonde recently posted…Top 10 U.S. Museums You Need to Visit
I’m pretty sure you can go up to one of the windows and have them put a bunch of cards balances all on one card.
Great idea putting in your wallet. You don’t need to take it out from your wallet and just swipe the entire wallet on the scanner. Is that how it works there? When i was in Seoul, i saw people just swiping their phone or key chain on the bus/train sensor. A phone/key accessory chain with micro chip inside. Your personal finance blog is giving me tips how to use a Metrocard when i get to New York. Thanks.
Jeff @Project Ikonz recently posted…Retirement plans for dummies – Step 3 – Bitesize
I wish, that would be a way better way for them to work. You actually have to make sure you run the magnetic strip through a little card reader… often times more than once since it has cracker jack reading precision ;o)
Girl you know what my hubby would say? It is because you are not organizing and blah, blah, blah. He never loses anything because he’s anal like that. Sorry you lost your card.
The Frugal Exerciser recently posted…Make Smoothies With Ease – Win A NutriBullet
I meant organized LOL.
The Frugal Exerciser recently posted…Make Smoothies With Ease – Win A NutriBullet
Those are really amazing hacks. I’m constantly losing/forgetting stuff. Locked myself out of my car that way more than a few times.
femmefrugality recently posted…Financially Savvy Saturdays: Twenty-Ninth Edition
HAHA I don’t have one of these cards, but here in Chicago we have a Metra (kinda the same thing). I purchase monthly passes or a ten-ride ticket – and I’ve lost a 10-ride once. It was horrific. Moving it to my wallet made all the difference in the world. I kinda tucked it away in a place I don’t normally access, too, since I tend to spaz out at registers and things go flying. Love your tips!!
Jen recently posted…Don’t Talk to Pregnant Chicks
We need to start a business that creates something to keep the metro cards visible – like a huge neon flashing light or something I don’t know lol. I think Wendy lost her metro card too recently and I know that has to be frustrating! Brainstorming time. 😉
Definitely! Talk about a side hustle. Really, there should be an app that you can just scan from your phone or something.
That’s the worst. I loved traveling on the CTA for free when I was in college, but I lost my card a couple of times and definitely had to pay the price to get it replaced!
Ryan @ Impersonal Finance recently posted…my career as a job hopper
What? You can travel for free in college? Sigh. Another reason to miss the good old days. :oP
You and I must be kindred spirits only it was my PATCO card that I always lost. The last time it was actually a PATCO employee who found it. I didn’t even know I lost it until it was time for me to leave work. Visting from the SITS sharpest.
All Talk Entertainment recently posted…Take the sugar out and feel better
Thanks for stopping by! And it’s ridiculous how easy those things are to loose – they really need a better system.
You’re lucky your job can replace your cards. The ones I get all have little warnings that “This card cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.” So I’m just completely out for the money I need to replace my card. It really sucks and I feel horrible that I simply lost about $90 because I lost one of these flimsy little cards.
Wow that does suck. :/