Before you start the refund quest, gather your journey history. If you use an Oyster card, log into your TfL account (or create one—it’s free!). For contactless, your bank app is your best friend. Look for the exact time, station, and the amount charged. It’s like being a detective, but with fewer magnifying glasses and more phone tapping.
Also, check TfL’s “Check if you’re due a refund” tool online. It’s a little chatbot that asks if you were delayed. Be honest—lying to a chatbot is like lying to a plant: it won’t judge you, but it won’t fix anything either.
The “But I Swear I Tapped Out” Dilemma
If you forgot to tap out, TfL charges the maximum fare. To fix it, you need to submit a “Missing Tap” refund request. You’ll need your journey start and end stations. Don’t worry—they believe you (mostly). Just be patient; it can take 48 hours for the refund to land.
