1. Home
  2. Everything you need to know about fares and tolls in New York
  3. MetroCard Balance Protection Program

MetroCard Balance Protection Program

Updated Aug 20, 2023
We provide a Balance Protection Program for 30-Day Unlimited Ride and 7-Day Express Bus Plus MetroCard. Your card is protected against loss or theft as long as you bought it with a credit or debit card at a MetroCard ticket machine. (Cards purchased with cash are not protected.)

If your card is lost or stolen, you have two options:

  1. File a report online. This is your best option.
  2. Call 511 and follow the prompts get to the Balance Protection Program.

You'll need to supply us with the number of the credit or debit card you used. Your refund will be credited back to that card. We credit:

  • $4.40 per day remaining on your 30-Day card, and
  • $9.14 per day remaining on your 7-Day Express Bus Plus card.

The refund of full days remaining is based on the day you notify us of your loss. Any value on your card when it’s lost or stolen is not refundable. The $1 new card fee is also not refundable.

You can file up to two claims per calendar year. We process the first claim free of charge. We deduct a $5 administrative handling fee from the refund amount for the second claim.