To ask if you still use an Oyster Card?

[ZippyTurtle]

Both me and my boyfriend live in London, both lived in London since we were born. I have an oyster card and always use it and never use my debit card for the tube. My boyfriend doesn't use an oyster card and just uses his debit card. My boyfriend always complains that he thinks I am "outdated" and that he thinks I should just use my debit card instead of my oyster card. Is he right? Am I outdated? Does anyone who lives in London still use an oyster card these days or is it just me?

YANBU - I live in London and use an oyster card.

YABU - I live in London and just use my debit card

What would they need signal for?!

If you're an Apple user the reader will read your phone without any battery

Gates never shut works fine with phones!

@Flatleak if they don't need a signal for the phone to work why are they standing in the way prodding their screens?

I don't use my Oyster card anymore but if it works for you go for it! I wouldn't judge anyone for using one.

Various reasons but you don't need signal to use your credit/debit card 😂

Why does something so inane bother him so much?

Does he think you're no longer hip and trendy enough to date?

If you accidentally touch an oyster wrong you either get an automatic refund or can apply in your online account.
Its far harder with a debit card, have to ring/ use form online

My Oyster is so old its the original two tone blue! It's got auto top up £20 and I spend more time updating the card on the website than I do using it 😆

But I like using it. It works ....and that's what I need when I come to London. Last week I had to pass through Paddington and Euston. I knew I could rely on it.

Some employers' finance and expenses policy specifically prohibits refunding anything purchased via credit cards - not sure whether it's because of previous high profile frauds or because it messes up their accounting 'buckets' - so it makes perfect sense to have an Oyster for people in that situation as well as the privacy aspect.

@UpsideLeft she gets a third off. It's an extension to the 16-18 card as she's on a year long Art Foundation course that's pre-university. I think it's different for university students though - I don't think they get reduced pay as you go fares but do get a discount if they buy season tickets.
And yes give your DM some credit - free travel once 60!

I travel on the tube all the time and am often stuck behind someone whose phone/watch doesn't work.

How about having a separate card like a Revolut card and just putting travel money on that? It would be just like using an oyster card .... or just ignore your boyfriend?

You can have an online TFL account for your debit/credit card. It’s quick and easy to use.

@mondaytosunday thanks I just googled and over 18 at London uni can get 30% off their Oyster card

I use oyster because i have a senior railcard and its attached so i get the discount

You can add your debit card to your oyster account and do the same thing.

i much preferred oyster as it alllwed me to budget travel costs better but I’ve had two in a row stop working now.

Tell your boyfriend to wind his bleeden neck in .

Its up to you what you use, and he sounds a real fool for keep mocking you for it

The only people whose payment method I notice are the phone/watch users, who do seem to have to faff for a few seconds (don't know what they're doing!). The rest of us are just slapping a card (Oyster, debit or credit, who knows) onto the reader and walking through the barrier/onto the bus without stopping. So, I have no idea why it bothers your boyfriend, OP. Tell him to keep his opinions to himself!

Who cares if you are using an Oyster card, it's your choice. I'd be telling the boyfriend his constant complaining about my personal choices that are inconsequential to him is boring. And boring is unattractive. What else does he complain about that has nothing to do with him?

I use my phone because it's more easily to hand, but I do have a 'guest' oyster card for when one of my kids forgets their wallet.

Well, he’s clearly a wanker. Does he have any redeeming features?

When he tells you it’s outdated & old fashioned, have you ever asked him why that matters?

I don't live in London but often visit and use my very old Oyster. It's about security- if I lose my Oyster I'd lose maybe up to £30 ish but if I lost my bank card that could be much more, plus the hassle of sorting out a replacement card and the fact my account number, sort code etc are on the card.

Last time I was in London I overheard a girl saying that she preferred an Oyster card because it meant her bank statement wasn't filled up with endless £2.30 journeys- it was just 1 amount debited.

I felt old fashioned a few years ago, but now more people are using their phones which takes longer than my oyster, I don't feel that anymore.

Even if I have it set so my debit card only works with a fingerprint? I don’t think it would work if the phone was dead in that case, because you need to be in the ‘wallet’ and use thumb to authorise.

Yes I still have an Oyster card. I rarely use the Tube, so I have about £10 on it, and just use it for the odd journey.

I think TFL want to do away with them but until they do I will keep mine.

One issue you have with contactless is if your bank decides it wants the PIN for that transaction. It seems to happen quite frequently to my DH - he uses another card when it happens, but it's a bit silly (and, of course, annoying when the barriers won't open and you have someone right behind you).