Topping up Oyster Card

[Noggin-the-Nog]

My daughter gave me a spare Oyster card which I have registered. I had hoped to top it up before flying into London but when I try to top up it implies I must nominate a station to collect my purchase from. I'm not sure of my travel arrangements in London yet so how can I nominate a station? And why do I need to go to a station at all? I'm confused or thick or both?

[Zacs-Master]

I've no idea but you get my vote for best AB name of all time.

[baza]

no you are not thick its the system, you need you tell them so that they can set it up, when you touch your card on the reader. You can top up your card at shops showing the oyster symbol might be easier for you.

[Zacs-Master]

Apart from nog-bad-the-bad, of course.

[cupid04]

Is most of ab sozzled tonight? Am I the only sober one?

[Noggin-the-Nog]

Thanks baza. I'll go to the shops like last time then. So much for modern technology!

[baza]

not sure if I explained it clearly, say you flew into Gatwick and caught a train into victoria, you could nominate victoria as your collection point, when you leave the mainline and enter the underground the first time you touch a reader the credit will be added to your card.

[Noggin-the-Nog]

Cheers Zacs_Master. I was always a bit afraid of Nogbad-the-bad. I still am and I'm 55.

[Zacs-Master]

Me too and I'm 50.

[dzug2]

There is not a 'small' discount for using an Oyster card - there's a large one - less than half fare on a typical journey - £2 instead of £4.30 for a zone 1 journey

If you are making multiple journeys on one day a travelcard is an alternative option to Oyster

[rockyracoon]

I'd definitely use the Oyster if you plan on using public transport in London frequently, as dzug says the discounts are larger than you think.

[baza]

as pointed out unused credit on an oyster card cannot be exchanged for cash , it does however, remain on your card until used or you surrender your card.
Should you make multiple trips the price will be capped , it is still cheaper to use an oyster card.
Sorry if this sounds like an advert for TfL.

[Noggin-the-Nog]

Thanks everyone. It's the convenience of not having to buy tickets that makes me think Oyster, even if the discount is marginal. Seems like getting the credit onto the card initiallyis messy but hopefully the convenience factor makes up for it thereafter.