You will not be able to top up and view your travel history for TfL Oyster and Contactless (or via Customer Service Centres) from 1400 (2pm) on 15 May until 'sometime' on 16 May, due to TfL making software changes to introduce Multi Factor Authentication to their accounts.
This applies to both the website and app.
Top ups at stations will (or should) still be possible.
MFA is where they send you a text message every time you want to do a transaction.
That is where your cell number becomes essential.
Posted by
Washington DC
27120 posts
Do you know whether they will require multi-factor authentication even for top-ups of modest amount? I now have cell service in Europe, but not all US travelers do--it comes up fairly often here. It sounds as if those of us who prefer, can continue just to add value to our cards at a machine.
Posted by
OP
Lake District, England
5755 posts
Yes, where MFA exists it is for every transaction, no matter how small. More than likely it will then just be far easier for overseas visitors do top ups at the machine at the station.
It's all about stopping the fraudsters, who often start with a small transaction, before moving on to bigger things.
Posted by
81 posts
If I use my credit card to tap into the Tube will it still work?
Posted by
OP
Lake District, England
5755 posts
Yes, in the same way as you don't need MFA in the shops. MFA is about on line transactions.