oyster card in london

"Wouldn't I have to add money to the Oyster card with a credit card, which would be the same thing as showing the credit card to tap-in and tap-out with just using a credit card?"

Personally I just use my credit card of phone, but I use them every day to pay for public transport anyway, so I'm used to it and would not lose my card.

If you prefer to use Oyster, you can add credit at machines at tube stations, so you're only using your credit card to add value, which may be once during your trip.

You can check the balance at any machine.

An alternative is to use a stored value cars like.Wise or Revolut rather than Oyster. They are free.

Also every tube station still has to have at least one machine (several at busy ones) which accepts cash- notes (bills) and coins.
That is how I always add new credit to my Oyster. Any bus or boat reader or station gate I use I always look at the little screen which tells me how much I have left, both going in and out of the system.
You get used to doing that, while still moving as fast as any commuter.
So I have early warning if I have been mischarged (I have been under as well as over charged).
If you do, say, a £3 journey but only have £2 on the card you are actually allowed to go into negative credit until you next top up. So in the above case you too up £10, you will be given £9 credit.

It's pretty simple really. I appreciate the reluctance to constantly pull out one's bank card to tap in and out for every tube or bus journey and topping up is not quite the same. In that case it is just the one transaction to put funds on the Oyster Card. Personally I merely carry a balance for multiple journeys. I may top up a couple times while in London, usually go home with funds remaining and can always check the balance remaining at the kiosks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLrnCMbsmFA

it seems that you may be aware of the £7 purchase cost for Oyster, which is paid in addition to any money on the card for travel

Hold the Oyster over the yellow disc on the card machine at the airport or tube station and the machine will tell you the card’s balance. You’ll also see the balance when you tap out of the tube.

Upon arrival, I simply check my balance and add the amount I’ll use for the trip (number of days X the daily cap minus what’s already on the card) and I’m good. I only need to pull out the credit card once. I’ve had my Oyster card for a decade or longer.

This may seem kind of silly to people who travel a lot, but having my Oyster card in my wallet is something that brings a bit of happiness whenever I see it hiding in there when I’m home. It’s like a little reminder of the fun I had on our trips to London and is telling me I need to go back and reload/ top it off again soon!

Constantly pulling the oyster card out vs pulling out another card. The motion is the same, what is the difference? If it gives you comfort, get one of the sleeves people put the oyster card in, and put a credit card in it, those rascally thieves won't know the difference.

Honestly, I think you are overestimating the risk to losing or having your credit card stolen, using it on the Tube is just not one of those actions that is risky.

It's not necessary that anyone should have to justify their choice for TfL payment method. Just accept that people choose to use Oyster.

Of course it’s fine for anyone to choose whatever payment method they like. But equally it’s sensible for posters to offer advice on the pros and cons of the various methods to someone who has not been to London before.
FWIW I can’t see that there is any real issue with using a contactless card on the tube. Every time you use it you will be surrounded by other travellers, security cameras and staff, so it’s highly unlikely a thief would be targeting you there. As long as you’re not waving the card around away from the gates you will be fine and that’s advice you need when out and about in the UK anyway.
As it happens I always use an Oyster card but I paid my deposit years ago and I can get 1/3rd off prices with my Senior Railcard, which is not something which would make sense for the vast majority of visitors.

And who said anything about thieves?

As an aside TfL have finally given in and are rolling out contactless card readers on their ticket machines.

Pamela, completely off topic. I don't know your itinerary, but I came across a handful of places in London that I needed a cell phone to see the menu and place an order and/or pay the bill.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their responses. They are all greatly appreciated.

Piggybacking on this question, is it possible to buy a one day ticket without getting an oyster card or without having b to tap in and out with a credit card? There will be four of us using the tube, but only for one day, and we don’t have four separate credit cards.

You don't need 4 separate credit cards, just 4 distinct ways of paying. If you have smart phones a credit card can be put on there as a method of payment (e.g. Apple or Android Pay) - one card could be put on 3 separate devices as well as being used as a card. Or you can do the same with a smart watch. Or you can also use a debit card. Or if you have a card account with two separate cards you can use both as separate devices.

is it possible to buy a one day ticket without getting an oyster card or without having b to tap in and out with a credit card?

Yes, it costs an unattractive (for most circumstances) £16.60. (Assuming no further than Zone 6.)