Can I use my contactless card with no money?

Will contactless payments work if you have no money in your account? Contactless transactions could still go through even if you have run out of money. Retailers do not have to check how much money is in your account before accepting your card payment, meaning you could be charged interest if you go into an overdraft.



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Unpaid fares Sometimes your card may be accepted by our card readers, but the payment is declined by your card issuer. If this happens: You've made a journey that you've not paid for. You won't be able to use your card again to travel until the unpaid fare has been paid.

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If you can't pay an unpaid fare on your card through TfL, they'll try to take the payment the next time you touch in to make a journey or touch your card on a revenue inspector's device.

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Because no signature or PIN verification is typically required, contactless purchases are often limited to a maximum amount per transaction, known as a Cardholder Verification Limit (CVM limit). Limits vary between banks.

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The UK ($120.65 or £100) has one of the highest card limits in the world and the largest in Europe.

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You will be charged the single fare to the end of the route, so always remember to tap off in order to pay the correct fare. If you do forget to tap off and are overcharged as a result, please contact customer services.

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A card with a negative balance may only be reused once it is topped up. The Oyster card deposit has been there specifically to prevent customers having an incentive to discard cards with a negative balance.

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