Lost your Metrocard? Go to the Metrocard website to see if you can get a refund

I couldn’t find my Metrocard.  I was frantic.  I paid $89 for a monthly Metrocard and was just 2 weeks into it.  I purchased it through American Express so I figured they are the logical folks to call.  I called them, and they said there is nothing they can do.  An AMEX customer support rep told me: “It’s like finding cash on the ground.  Anyone can use it.”  Okay, so that wasn’t much help, but then the friendly AMEX rep told me that he did some quick tech support research and found that there’s a Metrocard website  that will inform you if you can get your money back.  This is exactly what I needed. 

The Metrocard website has a Balance Protection Program.  Basically, the program provides you a refund for the remaining days left on your Metrocard.  You are eligible if you purchased a 30-day, 14-day, or 7-day Express Bus Plus Metrocard.  For the 30-day Unlimited Metrocard, you get $2.97 back per day left; $3.68 back per day left on the 14-day Unlimited Metrocard, and $6.43 back per day left on the 7-day Express Bus. 

Sorry, you won’t be able to get a refund for a $20 or less Metrocard or daily pass.  Also, you will be able to get a refund as long as you purchased your Metrocard from a vending machine with a credit, debit, or ATM card.  Why?  The MTA is kind enough to offer this form of protection against Metrocard loss or theft.  If only there was some protection for data recovery against hard drive crashes!

Unfortunately, there is not an online form to complete so you’ll need to call up the Metrocare customer support phone number, 718-330-1234 to process your refund.  I thought I’d pass this along since I thought all hope was lost, but came across this helpful website to save the day.