11-15 zipcard topup question

[westcoaster]

My daughter received her zip card today after applying online for it.

I decided to top it up (£5) to test it.

After topping up the balance is zero, it said about using a bus, barrier, yellow pad etc to apply it. It also says it has to be done in 4 days.

My question is what happens in 4 days (not going to London this week or next) if we do not tap it, does the money auto refund or do I need to contact customer services.

A couple of side questions
Not once did it say before topping up you need to attend a pad/barrier to add it, never thought you had to top up but physically attend to apply.
Also online it says apply for your free 11-15 zip card, but you have to pay a £15 application fee ( or is it only free for children who live in a London borough).

 

[Deerfold]

My daughter received her zip card today after applying online for it.

I decided to top it up (£5) to test it.

After topping up the balance is zero, it said about using a bus, barrier, yellow pad etc to apply it. It also says it has to be done in 4 days.

My question is what happens in 4 days (not going to London this week or next) if we do not tap it, does the money auto refund or do I need to contact customer services.

A couple of side questions
Not once did it say before topping up you need to attend a pad/barrier to add it, never thought you had to top up but physically attend to apply.
Also online it says apply for your free 11-15 zip card, but you have to pay a £15 application fee ( or is it only free for children who live in a London borough).

The TfL page is quite clear about tthe application fee. I can't see it saying anything about it being free.

11-15 Zip Oyster photocard

Children aged 11-15 can get free and discounted travel on all our transport with a Zip Oyster photocard.

tfl.gov.uk

You will need:

• A clear, unaltered colour digital photo of your child which is a .jpg, .bmp or .gif file and less than 6MB
• Details from your child's valid, machine-readable passport to verify their age and identity. All machine-readable passports are accepted, including non-UK passports
• A colour image of the details page from your child's valid, machine-readable passport that is in .png or .jpg format and less than 6MB. This must clearly show the child's photo, name, date of birth and passport number
• A debit or credit card to pay the £15 administration fee

When you select top up on your online account it says:

Please note​

Your order will be ready to collect 30 minutes after it has been confirmed.

You can collect your order by touching your Oyster card on a yellow card reader as part of a journey on/at any:

• Bus
• Tube, DLR, London Overground or Elizabeth line station and at most National Rail stations in London
• Tram stop
• London Cable Car terminal
• River Bus pier

You can't collect your order at:

• Ticket machines or ticket offices at stations
• Visitor Centres
• Oyster Ticket Stops

• If you don't collect your order by then, it will be refunded to your payment card on 01/05/2025.

 

[tram21]

My question is what happens in 4 days (not going to London this week or next) if we do not tap it, does the money auto refund or do I need to contact customer services.

It will be auto refunded. It is annoying you have to tap to get a top up. You should really be able to do it through your phone nowadays.

 

[westcoaster]

The TfL page is quite clear about tthe application fee. I can't see it saying anything about it being free.

11-15 Zip Oyster photocard

Children aged 11-15 can get free and discounted travel on all our transport with a Zip Oyster photocard.

tfl.gov.uk

When you select top up on your online account it says:

Thank you, I've no idea what I read then lol.

It will be auto refunded. It is annoying you have to tap to get a top up. You should really be able to do it through your phone nowadays.

Thank you, I'd have thought it would have topped up the card automatically.

 

[MikeWh]

I'd have thought it would have topped up the card automatically.

The physical card is the master record of your PAYG balance, therefore the physical card has to be connected to the system to receive the topup.

 

[lfc84]

Leap card Dublin and Navigo Paris are two that can be topped up using a phone and credited instantly