London commuters could face paying more than double the standard fare under a little-known Transport for London rule that penalises passengers who fail to use the same payment method throughout their journey.
The 'unused ticket' policy triggers a maximum fare charge if passengers tap in with one payment method but tap out with another – or forget to tap out entirely. This means using different contactless cards, switching from Oyster to contactless, or failing to complete the tap-out process can result in hefty penalties.
A Zone 1 to Zone 6 journey during peak hours could cost up to £8.80 under the maximum fare rule – more than double the standard rate. The system treats mismatched payment methods as incomplete journeys, defaulting to the highest possible charge for that route.
TfL designed the policy to prevent fare evasion and ensure accurate charging, but many passengers remain unaware of its existence. The rule applies across all payment types – passengers must use the same Oyster card, contactless bank card, or mobile device for both entry and exit.
Travellers who realise they've been incorrectly charged can check their journey history online or contact TfL customer services for potential refunds. However, avoiding the mistake proves simpler than resolving it after the fact.
The policy highlights the growing complexity of London's transport payment system. Whilst contactless technology offers convenience, it places greater responsibility on passengers to understand the rules – particularly as more commuters abandon traditional Oyster cards for phone and card payments.