Card clash

Keep your contactless and Oyster cards away from each other when touching a yellow card reader to pay the right fare.

What is card clash?

Card clash happens when you accidently touch more than one card on a yellow card reader at the same time.

Make sure you keep your contactless and Oyster cards separate and not in the same purse, wallet or phone case when touching in or out.

Oyster and contactless cards in the same wallet over a yellow card reader showing a clash

If you don't, the yellow card reader may:

  • Not read any card and the ticket gate won't open
  • Not take payment for your journey (at a freestanding yellow card reader) so you could be charged a  penalty fare
  • Read one card when you touch in and another card when you touch out, charging two maximum fares for your journey
  • Take payment from the wrong card

Pay the right fare 

You'll pay the right fare if you touch in and out with the same card.

Always use the same device, contactless or Oyster card to touch in and out. For example, if you touch in with an iPhone and touch out with an Apple Watch or contactless card, you'll be charged for two incomplete journeys.

Check for card clash

Check your journey history on your contactless and Oyster account to see if you've paid your fare with the right card.

Apply for a refund

If you've been charged a maximum fare on two different cards for the same journey, you can apply for a refund.