over 60 travel card renewal

How to apply for or renew your National Entitlement Card

You can use getyournec.scot to apply for, renew and request a replacement National Entitlement Card (NEC). If you cannot submit your request online, please select from the menu if you are enquiring about a 60+ or disabled NEC, or the Young Persons' Free Bus Travel NEC for those under 22.

Local authority contacts for 60+ or disabled scheme

Using the details below, please contact your local authority or Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) who can advise of the current application and renewal process in your area.

Aberdeen City

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633560
• Phone number:  03000 200 293
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Aberdeen City website

Aberdeenshire

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633727
• Phone number:  03456 081 208
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Aberdeenshire website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633719
• Phone number:  03452 777 778
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Angus website

Argyll & Bute (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633297
• Phone number:  0141 333 3211
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Argyll & Bute (SPT) website

Clackmannanshire

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633741
• Phone number:  01259 450 000
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Clackmannanshire website

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633624
• Phone number:  01851 822 661
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles) website

Dumfries & Galloway

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633670
• Phone number:  030 33 33 3000
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Dumfries & Galloway website

Dundee City

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633725
• Phone number:  01382 433 267
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Dundee City website

East Ayrshire (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633687
• East Ayrshire (SPT) website

East Dunbartonshire (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633564
• East Dunbartonshire (SPT) website

East Lothian

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633546
• Phone number:  01620 827 827
• Email address:  [email protected]
• East Lothian website

East Renfrewshire (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633570
• East Renfrewshire (SPT) website

Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633668
• Phone number:  0131 200 2351
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh) website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633733
• Phone number: 01324 506 607
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Falkirk website (Disabled)
• Falkirk website (Over 60)
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633250
• Phone number:  0345 155 0066
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Fife website

Glasgow City (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633740
• Glasgow City (SPT) website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633603
• Phone number:  01349 886 604
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Highland website

Inverclyde (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633744
• Inverclyde (SPT) website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633678
• Phone number:  0131 561 5455
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Midlothian website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633737
• Phone number:  0300 123 4565
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Moray website

North Ayrshire (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633279
• North Ayrshire (SPT) website

North Lanarkshire (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633284
• North Lanarkshire (SPT) website

Orkney Islands

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633734
• Phone number:  01856 873 535
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Orkney Islands website

Perth & Kinross

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633708
• Phone number:  01738 475 000
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Perth & Kinross website

Renfrewshire (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633289
• Renfrewshire (SPT) website

Scottish Borders

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633743
• Phone number:  0300 100 1800
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Scottish Borders website

Shetland Islands

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633679
• Phone number:  01595 744 868
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Shetland Islands website

South Ayrshire (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633559
• South Ayrshire (SPT) website

South Lanarkshire (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633231
• South Lanarkshire (SPT) website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633739
• Phone number:  01786 237 500
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Stirling website

West Dunbartonshire (SPT)

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633511
• West Dunbartonshire (SPT) website

West Lothian

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633285
• Phone number:  01506 280 000
• Email address:  [email protected]
• West Lothian website

Local authority contacts for Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633560
• Phone:  03000 200 292
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633727
• Phone:  03456 081 208
• Email:   [email protected]
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633719
• Phone:  03452 777 778 

Argyll & Bute

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633297
• Phone: 01546 605 517
• Email address:  [email protected]
• Argyll & Bute website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633741
• Phone:  01259 450 000
• Email:   [email protected]
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633624
• Phone:  01851 822 661
• Email for 5-10 year olds:  [email protected]
• Email for 11-21 year olds:   [email protected]
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633670
• Phone:  0303 333 3000
• Email:   [email protected]
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633725
• Phone:  01382 433 267
• Email: [email protected]

East Ayrshire

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633687
• Email:   Online contact form
• East Ayrshire website

East Dunbartonshire

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633564
• Phone:  0300 123 4510
• Email: [email protected]
• East Dunbartonshire website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633546
• Phone:  01620 827 827
• Email:   [email protected]

East Renfrewshire

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633570
• Phone:  0141 577 3001
• Email: [email protected]
• East Renfrewshire website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633668
• Phone:  0131 200 2351
• Email:   [email protected]
• Phone: 01324 506 607
• Email:   [email protected]
• Falkirk website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633250
• Phone:  0345 155 0066
• Email:   [email protected]

Glasgow City

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633740
• Phone: 0141 276 0727
• Email:  [email protected]
• Glasgow Life website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633603
• Phone:  01349 886 604
• Email:   [email protected]
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633744
• Phone:  01475 715 450
• Email:  [email protected]
• Inverclyde website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633678
• Email:   [email protected]
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633737
• Phone:  0300 123 4565
• Email:   [email protected]

North Ayrshire

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633279
• Phone:  01294 310 000
• Email: [email protected]
• North Ayrshire website

North Lanarkshire

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633284
• Email for Young Scot cardholders (Age 11+):   [email protected]
• Email for age 5-10:  [email protected]
• North Lanarkshire website for age 5-15
• North Lanarkshire website for age 16-21
• Phone:  01856 873 535
• Email:   [email protected]
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633708
• Phone:  01738 475 000
• Email:   [email protected]

Renfrewshire

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633289
• Phone:  0300 300 0209
• Email:   [email protected]
• Renfrewshire website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633743
• Phone:  0300 100 1800
• Email:   [email protected]
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633679
• Phone:  01595 744 490
• Email:   [email protected]

South Ayrshire

• Phone:  0300 123 0900
• Email:   [email protected]
• South Ayrshire website

South Lanarkshire

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633231
• Phone:  0303 123 1015
• Email:   [email protected]
• South Lanarkshire website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633739
• Phone: 01786 233 562
• Email: [email protected]

West Dunbartonshire

• Associated card number (First six digits):  633511
• Phone: 01389 738 282 
• Email: [email protected]
• West Dunbartonshire website
• Associated card number (First six digits):  633285
• Phone: 01506 280 150
• Email: [email protected]

TfL is charging 60+ Oyster card holders £10 a year to prove they still live in London

One Londoner just missed the deadline and had to reapply altogether

• 13:13, 31 OCT 2022
• Updated 14:26, 31 OCT 2022

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TfL is charging older Londoners £10 a year to keep their 60+ Oyster cards - in a move branded a “scam” by one user. Ghanashyam Master was told this month he had to pay a recently-introduced £10 a year fee to prove that he still lives a London Borough.

He told MyLondon : “I did not see this message. A week later, I stumbled on a similar message, this time saying that as I had failed to prove that I live in London, they are cancelling my Freedom Pass and now I will have to pay £20 to get a new one. I had no choice but to reapply. They did not ask for a proof of address. It was just the passport details.”

He added: “Trying to get £20 or at least £10 each year in the name of verification of address feels like it's a scam. How can a [public] body do this? They don't ask for proof of [address] after a passport is issued, so why ask for it for the over 60s pass? TFL should rethink and refund the money to all those affected.”

READ MORE: Sadiq Khan hints at delay to expanding £12.50 Ultra Low Emissions Zone to cover all of London

An email sent by TfL to Mr Master said: “As per the terms and conditions of the scheme, you must provide proof of your current London borough address. You must also pay the £10 address check fee to keep using your 60+ London Oyster photocard for another year…You must complete this by 16 October 2022 or your 60+ London Oyster photocard will be stopped.

“If your photocard is stopped and you are still eligible for a 60+ London Oyster photocard, you can start a new application and pay the £20 administration fee.” The £10 ‘address check’ fee came into effect in 2020 and applies to those that became eligible for a 60+ from August 2019 onwards. It is in addition to the £20 someone pays when they apply for the very first time around their 60th birthday.

TfL’s terms of service state that anyone who applied for a 60+ Oyster photocard on or after 1 August 2019 needs to provide proof of your current London borough address annually - a “non-refundable fee of £10 each year for us to verify your current London borough address.” A TfL source said the charge had been in place for several years to ‘ensure that users were still living in London. and therefore remain eligible to continue to benefit from the 60+ travel concession’.

John McGeachy, spokesperson for Age UK London said: “We raised concerns with TfL back in 2019. They justified at the time by saying it was a necessary contribution. It’s another way concessionary travel has been watered down and comes at a time when the threat to the very existence of the 60+ Oyster card grows from week to week.” The 60+ Oyster card (unlike the Freedom Pass) is funded by TfL rather than councils.

Campaigners have also expressed fears over the future of the 60+ Oyster card and the Freedom Pass in London, ahead of a crunch decision expected in December. A lift on the ban on free travel before 9am for both the 67+ Freedom Pass and over-60s Oyster is unlikely to be lifted, MyLondon understands.

It comes amid plans to increase the age of eligibility for the over-60s Oyster card to meet government-imposed cost cutting requirements on Transport for London (TfL). Since June 2020, older Londoners have not been able to use their Older Persons’ Freedom Pass or their 60+ Oyster card between 4.30am and 9am on weekday mornings. Since then, older Londoners' travel concessions have become increasingly under threat, Age UK London says.

In July, nearly 5,000 people wrote to Seb Dance, London’s deputy mayor for transport, calling for an end to the pandemic-era suspension of free travel before 9am for over 60s in London. Age UK London secured a meeting with the Deputy Mayor to ask him to support the end to the suspension, saying the concession was “vital” amid the cost of living crisis. But it now appears that TfL will push ahead with retaining the pre-9am free travel ban for older Londoners and increasing the age of eligibility.

Let us know what you think in the comments here. Do you have a story you think we should be covering? If so, please email [email protected] .

Want more from MyLondon? Sign up to our daily newsletters for all the latest and greatest from across London here.

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London Councils

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• Freedom Pass

Login to Freedom Pass

• Older persons Freedom Pass

First time applications

Important:  please do not submit a first time application if you require a replacement pass as this may cause unnecessary delays.  find out how to replace your freedom pass here .   , how to apply for an older persons freedom pass.

You can apply online, or return your application form by post.  Please read the following information on how to apply.

Please note you are unable to apply at London Councils office. Instead you must choose one of the following methods of applying.  

1. Check if you are eligible

Please make sure that you meet the  eligibility criteria  first before applying. 

2. Apply online (recommended)

View the Freedom Pass privacy statement to find out what information we collect, why we collect it, and how long we keep your information for.

Click on the 'Apply online now' button.  You will be asked to provide the following:

• Provide your email address. You will be sent an email to confirm your email address.
• Complete your name and address details.
• Add proof of your name and age -  Documents you need
• Add proof of your residential address in London - Documents you need
• Add a colour photograph of yourself - Photo requirements
• Agree to the terms and conditions
• Take a note of your application reference number so that you can track the progress of your Freedom Pass.

Apply online now   

How to add proof of your identity, address or photograph

If you are not able to add proof of your identity, address or photograph you can skip this section and instead return your documents by post. You will need to print a verification page to return in the post along with the required information

If you need help applying online, assistance and computers may be available at some local libraries or council offices, however, please check first by  clicking on your relevant borough at the bottom of this page .

3. Apply by post

You can download and print an application form . 

*PLEASE DO NOT TAKE PHOTOCOPIES OF APPLICATION FORMS AS EACH FORM CONTAINS A BARCODE AND UNIQUE REFERENCE NUMBER WHICH IS USED TO TRACK INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS. REFRESH YOUR BROWSER AFTER EACH DOWNLOAD IF YOU REQUIRE MORE THAN ONE.

To find out where you can collect an application form from please click on your borough at the bottom of this page.

Am I Eligible?   

Please ensure you meet the age criteria first before submitting your application. 

• Complete and sign the application form
• Enclose a passport-sized colour photograph - Photo requirements
• Enclose proof of your identity and proof of your address - Documents you need
• Return in the post to: 

Freedom Pass Application, PO Box 572, Hull, HU9 9LP

Please make sure you put enough postage on the envelope to ensure your application is delivered.

4. Receiving your pass 

Once your application has been received your eligibility will be checked and your Freedom Pass posted to you within *10 working days. If you are submitting your form by post please allow a few extra days for your form to be delivered.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:  The 5 year expiry date on the Freedom Pass is the lifespan of the card chip, and is not how long someone is entitled to hold the pass for.  Therefore, if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria for the Freedom Pass you hold it can be stopped at any time.  

5. Tracking your application

If you have applied for your Freedom Pass online you will be able to track its progress by logging into your account with your username (email address) and password. We will also email you once your pass has been posted. Please leave two to three working days from when you submit your application before trying to track it.

Cards are sent out by second-class post. If the online tracker shows that your card has been dispatched, it may take up to 10 working days to reach you. If you still haven’t received it after this time please email us at [email protected] or call the Freedom Pass helpline on 0300 330 1433 and we will cancel the pass and issue you with a replacement. 

Transferring from the 60+ London Oyster Photocard to the Freedom Pass

London Councils, which operates the Freedom Pass scheme on behalf of the 33 London local authorities, has worked with Transport for London (TfL) to simplify the process for those with a 60+ Oyster card to transfer to the Older Persons Freedom Pass (66+) when you become eligible.

Approximately four weeks before you are entitled to a Freedom Pass, TfL transfers names, addresses, contact details and photographs to London Councils for people who have agreed that their data can be shared. London Councils will then write to you, inviting you to go online to confirm some details and order your pass. This avoids you having to complete a new application form or providing a new photograph. Your Freedom Pass will be sent by post to arrive before your 60+ oyster card expires.

If you have received your letter to transfer your 60+ Oyster pass you can transfer it online here

As well as being convenient, this method saves taxpayers money by avoiding the printing, transaction and postage costs of a paper application. If you hold a 60+ pass and have not already given your consent to share your data with London Councils, you can provide consent by calling TfL on 0343 222 1234. You can also ask to check and, if necessary, amend your data at the same time.

Click on the London borough in which you live to find out where you can obtain a paper application form.

Barking & Dagenham

If you live in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham you can now apply for the Older Person's Freedom Pass scheme directly via the London Councils website.

London Councils administers the scheme on behalf of the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London.

At the top of this webpage you will find instructions on how to apply.

Apply by post

You can download and print an application form. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU MEET THE AGE CRITERIA BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION.

1.         Complete and sign the application form

2.         Enclose a passport-sized colour photograph - Photo requirements

3.         Enclose proof of your identity and proof of your address - Documents you need

4.         Return in the post to:

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE PHOTOCOPIES OF APPLICATION FORMS AS EACH FORM CONTAINS A BARCODE AND UNIQUE REFERENCE NUMBER WHICH IS USED TO TRACK INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS.

If you live in the London Borough of Barnet and do not have access to a computer, you can visit your local library and ask the staff to assist you.  Some Barnet libraries are now self-service.  Please check the opening times of your local library before your visit to find out when library staff will be available if you need assistance.

If you live in the London Borough of Bexley and need help applying please contact your local library or call 020 8303 7777

Application forms can be found at:

If you live in the London Borough of Brent and need help applying a Customer Service officer will be able to assist at Brent Civic Centre

Application forms can be found at:

If you live in the London Borough of Bromley and need help applying please contact your local library first.

If you live in the London Borough of Camden you can now apply for the Older Person's Freedom Pass scheme directly via the London Councils website.

At the top of this webpage you will find instructions on how to apply. 

City of London

If you live in the City of London and need help applying please contact your local library first.

City of Westminster

Application forms can be found at City of Westminster libraries .

If you live in the City of Westminster and need help applying please contact your local library.

Application forms can be downloaded from the website, however, if you do not have access to a printer you may wish to use the facilities available at:

Croydon Central Library, Croydon Clock tower, Katharine Street, Croydon. CR9 1ET

or  from other Croydon libraries   Please note that printing fees apply.

If you live in the London Borough of Croydon and need help to download the application form please contact your local library first.

There are two ways to apply for an Older Persons Freedom Pass:

Online or download a form http://secure.freedompass.org/download-form-pdf and post this form to:

Ealing BBA, PO Box 68276, W5 9LQ.

Application forms can be found at Enfield libraries .

If you live in the London Borough of Enfield and need help applying please contact your local library.

Application forms can be found at Greenwich libraries .

If you live in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and need help applying please contact your local library first.

Application forms can be obtained by calling Hackney Service Centre on 0208 356 6262

Hammersmith & Fulham

If you live in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and need help applying please contact the Accessible Transport Team on 020 8753 6681

Greenhill Library, Perceval Square, College Road, Harrow, HA1 1GX

020 3714 7731/32, [email protected]

Kenton Library, Kenton Lane, Kenton HA3 8UJ

020 3714 7712, [email protected]

Pinner Library, Marsh Road, Pinner HA5 5NQ

020 3714 7718, [email protected]

Roxeth Library, Northolt Road, South Harrow HA2 8EQ

020 3714 7705, [email protected]

Stanmore Library, 8 Stanmore Hill, Stanmore HA7 3BQ

020 3714 7728, [email protected]

Wealdstone Library, The Wealdstone Centre, 38/40 High Street, Wealdstone HA3 7AE

020 3714 7725, [email protected]

If you live in the London Borough of Harrow and need help applying please contact your local library first. O nline applications can also be made at Harrow Civic/One Stop Shop where there are portals with internet access.

Central Library, St. Edwards Way, Romford, RM1 3AR Upminster Library, Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, RM14 2BB Hornchurch Library, North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TB

If you live in the London Borough of Havering, are a library member and want to access a computer you will need to book a PC first by calling one of the ten libraries.

Application forms can be downloaded from the London Councils website, however, if you do not have access to a printer please contact the London Borough of Hillingdon Freedom Pass Team on 01895 556633.

If you live in the London Borough of Hounslow and need help applying please visit your local library.

If you live in the London Borough of Islington and need help applying please contact your local library first.

Library opening hours leaflet

Kensington & Chelsea

Application forms can be found at Kensington &Chelsea libraries .

If you live in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and need help applying please contact your local library.

Kingston upon Thames

Application forms can be found at Kingston library, Fairfield Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2PS

If you live in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and need help applying please contact your local library.

Application forms can be completed online at:

Lambeth Civic Centre; 6 Brixton Hill, SW 6 1EG

If you live in the London Borough of Lambeth and need help applying please contact your local library first to see if a digi buddie will be available to assist you.

If you do not have access to a smart phone or tablet computer or you require assistance to apply on line please contact one of the following venues where staff will be happy to help you.

• Sydenham Library, Sydenham Rd, SE26 5SE please call 020 8778 1753 for an appointment.
• Grove Park community library service , Somertrees Avenue, Grove Park, SE12 0BX, please call 020 8851 3136 for an appointment.
• New Cross community library service , New Cross Library, 283 285 New Cross Road, SE14 6AS.  Please call 020 8469 0532 for an appointment.
• Leemore Centre, Bonfield Road, SE13 5EU –Monday – Wednesday and Friday 10am – 1pm, please call 0800 231 5453 for an appointment
• Corbett Community Library, Torridon Road, Catford, SE6 1RQ. Monday and Thursday 9.30 – 1.00pm, please call 020 8378 5358 for an appointment.

If you are not able to attend any of these venues you can downloaded a form from this site and return it by post.

Application forms can be found at all Merton libraries

Merton Civic Centre Reception London Rd, Morden SM4 5DX

Online or download a form http://secure.freedompass.org/download-form-pdf  and post this form to:

Freedom Pass, PO Box 6618, Arbroath DD11 9AT.

Application forms can be found at Redbridge Libraries

Richmond upon Thames

If you live in the London Borough of Southwark and need help applying please contact your local library. 

If you live in the London Borough of Sutton and are   unable to apply online, you can apply in person at any Sutton Borough Library or at Sutton Civic Offices.   Please check the opening times before visiting. It is not necessary to complete a form in advance.

Tower Hamlets

Support sessions for online applications are available as follows: Please note that p aper application forms will not be available from Idea Stores

Idea Store Whitechapel, 321 Whitechapel Road E1 1BU    Mondays 10.15am to 11.45am

Idea Store Bow, 1 Gladstone Place E3 5ES    Thursdays 10.00am to 12.00pm

Idea Store Chrisp Street, 1 Vesey Path, East India Dock Road E14 6BT   Thursdays 10.00am to 12.00pm

Idea Store Watney Market, 260 Commercial Road E1 2FB   Thursdays 10.00am to 12.00pm

Cubitt Town Library, Strattondale Street E14 3HG   Thursdays 10.30am to 12.00pm

Waltham Forest

Application forms can be printed at your request at:

Further information can be found at www.walthamforest.gov.uk

The contact telephone number for any enquiries is 020 8496 3000 open Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00 pm

 Application forms can be found at the customer centre and  libraries .

Related pages

• Changes to Freedom Pass Travel Times
• Travel assistance for Ukrainian Evacuees
• Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that the Elizabeth line has opened today Tuesday 24 May 2022

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Apply for an older person's bus pass

If you live in england or wales.

In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age .

If you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport when you’re 60, but only within London.

In Wales you can get a bus pass when you reach 60.

Enter your postcode to:

• apply for a bus pass from your local council
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Get 1/3 off train travel with a Senior Railcard

Buy now renew my railcard.

How much can I save?

People with a Senior Railcard  save on average £86 per year** , or  £5.26 per journey^ . If you’re travelling here’s an example of some of the savings you can make on train tickets:

Railcard price

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How does using a Railcard work?

Get your Railcard

Buy your discounted train tickets

Have your Railcard with you when you travel

Eligibility and terms of use

• Buy a Railcard and keep it with you when you travel (on your phone or wallet)
• Save on most tickets including Advance tickets
• Valid in London & SE after the morning Peak

Read full eligibility and usage terms

Need help getting or using your Railcard?

Need help? Can't figure out what card to buy? Or just have a question?

Can I use my Senior Railcard at any time of day?

Your Railcard is not valid during the morning peak period when travelling between two stations in the  Network Railcard area  of validity.  Check locally to confirm morning peak times as these do differ.  This restriction does not apply on public holidays.

How do I purchase my Railcard online?

Please click ‘’Buy Now’’ on the website homepage and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to provide a valid passport or UK driving licence or National Identity number to verify your date of birth online and a digital passport-style photo if you have selected ‘Digital’ under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section.

If you have ordered a plastic Senior Railcard, please allow 5 working days for delivery. You can choose to pay for ‘Special Delivery’, but you will have to place your order before 15:45pm to guarantee that your Railcard is delivered within two days (Monday to Thursday) or three days (Friday to Sunday).

If you have ordered a digital Railcard, a download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your Railcard. 

You will not be able to travel on discounted tickets until you have your Railcard.

What is a digital Railcard?

Digital Railcards are stored within the Railcard app on your smart phone or tablet, meaning there’s no need to carry the physical card around with you. They can be stored on up to two devices and used quicker than plastic Railcards as they do not need to be sent in the post.

Click here for more information on managing your Railcard

Can I buy a Senior Railcard in advance of my 60th birthday?

If you order online then yes, you can order one up to 14 days in advance of your 60th birthday. Please note that you cannot buy Railcards in advance of your 60th birthday from rail stations.

• Tickets and passes

Travel pass for older people

Free travel for older people.

If you qualify for a state pension, you could be eligible for free travel across the country as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme.

Do you qualify?

To get a travel pass for older people you must:

• live in Greater Manchester, (if you live outside Greater Manchester, apply for a pass in your own area but you cannot add tram and train travel within Greater Manchester to passes issued by other areas); and
• qualify for a state pension. It doesn't matter if you are taking your pension or still working.

The age you qualify for a state pension isn't the same for everyone. You may need to be up to 66 to qualify depending on when you were born. If you're not sure, check your state pension age .

Costs and benefits

The pass is free, and lasts for five years.

Within Greater Manchester:

• Travel for free on all buses within Greater Manchester between 9.30am and midnight, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
• You can also choose to pay £10 to add tram and train to your pass, for a year’s unlimited off-peak travel on Metrolink and trains within Greater Manchester. You can then travel on Metrolink trams and in trains after 9.30am on Monday to Friday, and all day on weekends and public holidays.
• If you travel outside of these times you must pay the full adult fare.

Throughout England:

• Travel for free on all local buses between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.

How to use the pass

You must always remember to:

• touch in at the card reader when boarding buses
• touch in and touch out at a yellow smart reader on tram stops, for Metrolink
• touch in and out at train station ticket barriers, where they are in place

Please show your card, when asked, to any Transport for Greater Manchester or transport operator official during your journey.

Smart readers on tram stops now accept contactless cards and devices for travel. Please move your concessionary pass away from your payment cards when you use a smart reader.

For example, if you keep your pass in a wallet or purse, remove it before you touch-in and touch-out. This will make sure you’re not charged on a contactless card you didn’t intend to use.

Apply by post

Download an application form or get one from an Information and Ticket Office.

If you are eligible complete the relevant form and attach:

• A passport sized colour photograph of yourself
• Proof of age – a copy of either your birth certificate, medical card, passport or driving licence
• Proof of your address – a copy of either a utility bill, local council tax bill or a Department for Work and Pensions letter from within the last 12 months

You can take your form and proof to an Information and Ticket office (Travelshop) who can check it.

You can also post your documents to the address on the application form.

Your pass will be sent to you in the post within 10 working days.

Please do not send original documents .

Renew your pass

At least two weeks before your travel pass expires, we will send you a new pass, provided it has been in use.

If you use your card often then we will send you a new one two weeks before your travel pass runs out.

If you have not used your pass in the last 12 months, you will not be issued a new card and will need to contact us to request a new card after it’s expired. If you need a pass, please call our Concessionary Travel team on 0161 244 1000.

Please note: when using your pass, you must touch-in on buses and use the validators to touch-in and out on Metrolink or when using the trains.

If you don’t then your card will show as inactive.

Updating your address

You need to let us know if you change your address. There may be a £10 charge if a card is sent to an old address.

If you feel your appearance has changed since your last renewal, please send us a new photo. This can be done via post or can also be emailed to us.

If you no longer need your pass or have any other questions please call our Concessionary Travel team on 0161 244 1000.

If you need a replacement pass

It costs £10 to replace a lost, damaged or stolen pass.

To order a replacement pass you can:

• Call us on 0161 244 1000 to make a card payment (7am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm at weekends).
• Visit an Information and Ticket office (Travelshop) to order and pay for a replacement pass.

Travel included with Co-op Live tickets

Co-op Live ticket holders can travel on the tram and new city centre shuttle buses.

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We've teamed up with Manchester City to launch a large-scale bus trial helping fans from across Greater Manchester and nearby areas to travel to and from the Etihad Stadium on a matchday.

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Visit our dedicated webpage to find out how the works could affect your journeys.

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Benefits and Entitlements

If you're 60 or over or you have a disability, you might be eligible for public transport concessions – from discounts on your rail journeys to a free bus pass.

What transport concessions are available?

Can i get a free bus pass, can i get a discount on train travel, can i get a london freedom pass, what if i have difficulty using public transport, what if i'm unable to use public transport, more travel concessions questions.

There are several national public transport concessions available to older and disabled people. Some entitle you to discounts on your fares, while others allow you to travel for free.

Eligibility for these concessions depends on whether you have a disability or your age. 

Depending on your age and your circumstances, you might be able to get one of the following free bus passes, which allow you to travel free on local buses:

• an older person's bus pass
• a disabled person's bus pass

What age do I have to be to get an older person's bus pass?

You can get an older person's bus pass when you reach State Pension age, which is currently 66 for both women and men.

Apply for your older person's bus pass on GOV.UK

If you're 60 or over and live in London, then you can get free travel on buses, trains and other modes of transport in and around London with a 60+ London Oyster photocard.

Apply for your 60+ London Oyster photocard on the TFL website

How can I get a disabled person's bus pass?

There's no central provider of the disabled person's bus pass – to find out if you're eligible and how to apply, you need to get in touch with your local council.

Find your local council and apply for a disabled person's bus pass on GOV.UK

Are there any other discounts if I'm an older person or I'm disabled?

It's a good idea to contact individual transport operators to see if they offer discounts.

For instance, National Express offers Coachcards. These are discount cards for older or disabled customers. You buy them for a set fee of £15.00 and they get you a third off the cost of your travel across the year.

Find out more and order a Coachcard on the National Express website

Depending on your age and circumstances, you might be entitled to one of the below railcards:

• a Senior Railcard
• a Disabled Person's Railcard

Both railcards are discount cards. You buy them for a set fee to last either 1 or 3 years and they get you a third off the cost of your train travel.

Can I get a Senior Railcard?

The Senior Railcard is available for anyone aged 60 or over to buy.

You can apply on the Senior Railcard website using a valid passport or UK driving licence as ID. Or, you can apply in person at most staffed railway stations.

Find out more about the Senior Railcard and apply online

Can I get a Disabled Person's Railcard?

The Disabled Person's Railcard is available to you if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you're registered as deaf or use a hearing aid
• you're registered as having a visual impairment
• you have epilepsy
• you receive a disability-related benefit, such as  Personal Independence Payment
• you receive War or Service Disablement pension
• you receive Attendance Allowance
• you receive Severe Disablement Allowance
• you receive War Pensioner's mobility supplement

Find out more about the Disabled Person's Railcard and apply online

Freedom Passes give London residents free travel in the city – including National Rail services, the Underground, buses, river services and trams – and free local bus journeys nationally.

If you live in London, you can apply for a Freedom Pass if one of the following applies to you:

• you've reached State Pension age
• you have a disability.

Find out more about Freedom Passes and apply on the London Councils website

National Rail has an interactive tool called Stations Made Easy, designed to help people find their way around stations and find more accessible routes, avoiding potential difficulties like stairs. This may be helpful if you have difficulty using public transport because of your health. 

Find out more and use the tool on the National Rail website

If you're disabled, you can't use public transport, or you don't have access to a car, you might also be able to use a community transport scheme – such as a social car, dial-a-ride, or taxicard scheme.

Shopmobility schemes help people shop in town centres by lending out wheelchairs and scooters. Some local councils also offer concessions on local public transport.

To find out what's available in your area, you can contact your local council or your local Age UK.

Find your local council on GOV.UK

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No, you can't use a free bus pass on National Express buses. To get senior concessions on National Express you need to buy a senior coachcard, which costs £15 a year.

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Yes, your bus pass will give you free travel on buses across England, including London. However, there may be specific rules about when you can travel for free, so check your local council's free bus pass guidance before travelling.

Find your local council's older person's bus pass guidance on GOV.UK

Want more information?

Apply for an older person's bus pass on GOV.UK

Apply for a disabled person's bus pass on GOV.UK

We're here to help

We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.

About the Age UK Advice Line Find your local Age UK

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Last updated: Apr 09 2024

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Buy your Senior Coachcard today

Save the cost of the coachcard or your money back*, how many coachcards would you like, year-round savings.

If you're 60 or over and love visiting family and friends or taking day trips and short breaks, our Senior Coachcard offers a great way to save 1/3 on Standard and Fully Flexible fares to hundreds of towns, cities and airports across the UK.

How much will I save?

You'll save a guaranteed 1/3 on Standard and Fully Flexible fares throughout the UK for 12 months. With your Coachcard, there's no restrictions on peak and off-peak travel times, so you can travel when it suits you and your plans. This includes public holidays, bank holidays and weekends.

• Save 1/3 on Standard and Fully Flexible fares, even at peak times.
• £15 day-return on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to anywhere in the UK (excluding airports), just book 3 days in advance of your travel.
• 15% off the price of an adult ‘Fully Flexible’ fare for coach travel to an event, as detailed on the Events page of our website.

How do I buy a Senior Coachcard?

Purchasing your Senior Coachcard is quick and easy. Simply complete your details and your Coachcard will be posted to your home address (£3 p&p will be added to your purchase).

Your Coachcard can take up to 7 days to be delivered and if it hasn't arrived 24 hours ahead of your planned journey, then call our Customer Contact Centre .

Alternatively, give us a call and we will post your Coachcard out to you (£3 p&p will be added to your purchase) or purchase from one of our travel shops.

General terms & conditions

• These terms and conditions apply to your purchase and use of a Coachcard and are in addition to the Conditions, which shall apply to Tickets purchased and your use of the Services.
• one third (1/3) off the price of an adult ‘Standard’ or ‘Fully Flexible’ fare for one of our Services;
• 15% off the price of an adult ‘Fully Flexible’ fare for coach travel to an  Event , as detailed on the “Events” page of our website. The discount does not apply to any entry to or accommodation at the Event; and
• a £15 mid-week promotional same day return or one way adult fare for one of our Services departing and/or returning the same day on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only. This discounted fare must be booked a minimum of three (3) days prior to your date of travel and is not valid for travel on the dates   published here . Travel to and from an airport is excluded with this offer. 
• The above discounts available to Coachcard holders may not be used in conjunction with any other offer, discount or promotion offered by us.
• ‘Restricted’ fares ;
• European Services, Hotel Hoppa Services, multi-ride and season tickets purchased by telephone from Customer Contact Centre  or in person from one of our Stations , Third Party Provider services and any Event detailed on the “ Events ” page of our website;
• tickets, accommodation or ferry travel for an Event as detailed on the “ Events ” page of our website;
• the “Add Extras” options which you may purchase as part of your booking; or
• the Booking Fee; or
• the fee for receiving an SMS Ticket, if selected as part of a booking.
• You may purchase up to four (4) Coachcards for individuals satisfying the requirements for the same type of Coachcard online from our website, by telephoning our Customer Contact Centre or in person from one of our Stations or one of our selected third party agents.
• our website or by telephoning our Customer Contact Centre , we will charge you a postage fee of £3 to send your Coachcard(s) to you. If you purchased more than one Coachcard, we will send each Coachcard to the address provided as part of your application; or
• one of our Stations or third party agents, you will receive your Coachcard at the time of purchase.
• Senior Coachcard and Disabled Coachcard, as the case may be, the relevant Coachcard will be valid for the period of one (1) year from the later of the date that you have specified when purchasing the relevant Coachcard or, if you have purchased the relevant Coachcard in person and have not specified a future date, the next calendar day after purchase; or
• Young Persons Coachcard, your Coachcard will, depending on the term that you have selected, be valid for the period of one (1) or three (3) years from the later of the date that you have specified when purchasing the Coachcard or, if you have purchased the Coachcard in person and have not specified a future date, the next calendar day after purchase.
• We will notify you prior to expiry of your Coachcard and provide you with the opportunity to purchase a new Coachcard.
• online from our website, by confirming you have a Coachcard and entering the Coachcard serial number and expiry date at the time of entering the required details on the “Your Details” page of our website;
• telephone, by providing your Coachcard serial number and expiry date to a member of the Customer Contact Centre ;
• in person, by showing your Coachcard at the time of making your booking at one of our Stations or with a third party agent;
• from a driver, by showing your Coachcard at the time of purchasing your Ticket; or
• from a Ticket Machine, by entering the Coachcard serial number and expiry date after entering the passenger selection on the Ticket Machine.
• When travelling on our Services, you will be required to show your Ticket, together with your Coachcard, to the driver when boarding one of our Coaches.
• In the event that your Coachcard is defaced, damaged, tampered with, lost or stolen, you should immediately report this to the Customer Contact Centre . Please note that we are unable to replace your Coachcard and that you will be required to purchase a new Coachcard if you wish to continue enjoying the benefits of the Coachcard.
• Your Coachcard, and each Ticket purchased with it, are not transferable and must not be given, loaned or resold to anyone else.
• The Coachcard remains our property at all times and does not become your property and, if requested, must be returned to us.
• All Tickets issued are subject to our Conditions.
• These terms and conditions are in addition our Conditions and may be amended at any time.
• Coachcards are non-refundable or transferable.

£15 mid-week day return

• £15 fare applies to day return or one-way fares (excluding airports).
• Available on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only.
• Only available when booked at least 3 days in advance of travel.
• Not valid on certain peak days.
• This offer can change or be removed at any time.
• Offer is not valid on Hotel Hoppa, European, Ulsterbus, Third Party, airport journeys or special event services.
• Not valid where accommodation, admission or ferry travel is included within the fare.
• Offer cannot be used in conjunction with Restricted fares, Multiride tickets or any other special offer fares.
• Booking fees may vary depending on booking method.
• The offer can be purchased online, by phone, at any National Express outlet and ticket machines but not direct from drivers.
• All tickets are issued and all passengers are carried subject to National Express' General Conditions of Carriage , available online and at all National Express outlets.
• Issued by National Express, National Express House, Birmingham Coach Station, Mill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DD.

How much is a Senior Coachcard?

Our Senior Coachcard is just £15 (plus £3 p&p) a year.

About our coaches

Majority of our services offer guaranteed reclining seats, air-conditioning, plug sockets for charging your mobile, toilet facilities and free Wi-Fi onboard. Expect friendly drivers to help load your heavy luggage from a 500-strong fleet of coaches taking you to 100's of UK towns, cities, airports and events...

These are just a few reasons why more customers are making the switch from rail to coach.

Other Coachcards

National Express also offers two other Coachcards to help on travel costs:

The Young Persons Coachcard  

The Disabled Coachcard  

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Open Return Information

Book your return

Your Open Dated Return is valid for 3 months from your outbound journey. To guarantee your seat on your return you need to confirm your ticket before you travel on www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/tickets/open-returns or call 0371 781 8181.

Open Dated Return Information

If your return date is not yet known, open return tickets provide flexibility. When travelling within the UK, the return journey can be made within 3 months of the outward date of travel. To guarantee your seat on your return journey you need to confirm your ticket before you travel by visiting www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/tickets/open-returns or call us on 03717 81 81 81. Lines open 7 days a week, 8am - 8pm (calls to this number are charged at local rate). Valid on any day throughout the year.

Open returns are not available on European journeys.

Wheelchair accessibility

Accessible coaches.

The majority of stops along the routes listed below are accessible to wheelchair users but are subject to change. Please call us to check the latest situation before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

To see a list of accessible coach routes please visit our Accessibility page.

Assisted Travel Helpline

If you are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance, please call our helpline before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

03717 81 81 81 - ( option 3)  (lines open 8am - 8pm 7 days a week). Calls to this number are charged at local rate.

For more information please visit our Disabled travellers page.

Passengers & Wheelchair accessibility

Passenger descriptions.

Our passenger descriptions are designed to help you choose the right ticket for yourself or your fellow travellers.

Adult (16+) and Children (3-15)

Children under 14 cannot travel alone unless accompanied by an adult (16+). Please note, you may be required to show proof of age at any point during your journey. Failure to do so, may result in the full adult fare being charged.

Children (3-15)

Children under 14 cannot travel alone unless accompanied by a responsible adult (16+).

Disabled Children

Should be booked as Children. If they are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance, please call our Assisted Travel Helpline.

We strongly recommend that you bring a car seat appropriate to your child's age, but ask you to take responsibility to fit the seat.

Booster Seats

Children aged between approximately 4-11 years old, or up to 150cm tall, may use booster seats. We carry a limited number onboard most coaches.

If travelling with a child, you may be required to show proof of age when buying tickets or at any point during your journey. Failure to do so may result in the child being required to pay the full fare for the journey on that day.

Booster seats

Children aged between approximately 4 years and 11 years or up to 150cm tall may use booster seats, we carry a limited number onboard most coaches along with our comfort fit seat belts.

Disabled children should be booked as children rather than 'Disabled'. If they are travelling in a wheelchair or you wish to book assistance with travel please call our Assisted Travel Helpline before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

You can find a list of accessible coach stops on our Accessibility page .

Please call us 36 hours prior to travelling to check the latest status.

If you are travelling in a wheelchair or require assistance we recommend that you contact us on the following local rate telephone number: 03717 81 81 81 (lines open 8am - 8pm 7 days a week) 36 hours in advance of when you would like to travel.

Adult (26 - 59)

Adult fares are applicable to all passengers aged between of 26 and 59 inclusive.

Child 0 - 12 inclusive

Children aged 12 or under travelling on any European service must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Unaccompanied children will not be carried

Young persons (13 - 25)

Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel on any European service unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Young persons aged 16 or 17 years can travel alone on European services but only if they have a letter of authority from a parent or guardian.

Senior (60 and over)

Passengers aged 60 and over are entitled to receive a small discount on European journeys. On European journeys a 50% discount is given to carers, please call us on 08717 818177 to book.

Please select your passenger type first and then add your coachcards.

We have three different Coachcards available, each offering savings of 1/3 on all of our Standard and Fully Flexible coach fares all year round.

Prices shown include your coachcard discount, your coachcard number will be required during the booking process.

Adult fares are applicable to all passengers aged 2+. Adults under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel alone on any European service unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over or they have a letter of authority from a parent or guardian.

Infants 0-1 Inclusive

Children aged under the age of 2, must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Unaccompanied children will not be carried.

Your Concessionary Travel Card

Apply for or Manage your Card

If your primary address is in Wales and you’re either aged 60 and over or meet the Government’s disability eligibility criteria , you can travel for free on most bus services in Wales and the borders and get discounted or free travel on many rail services

If you've already applied and you’d like to track your application or have a card and you’d like to update your details, please select “Manage my card or application” below. You’ll be asked to enter your National Insurance number or card number, along with your Date of Birth and Postcode.

Apply for a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card

You're entitled to a Concessionary Travel Card if you're at least 60 years old and your primary residence is in Wales.

Apply for a Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card

You're entitled to a Concessionary Travel Card if you're an eligible disabled person and your primary residence is in Wales.

If you're a disabled person and your condition limits your ability to travel alone you may be able to get a companion card that will allow someone else to travel with you for free.

My existing card or application

If you've just applied, view your application details and upload additional documents if we've asked you to.

If you already have a card, let us know if you want to change your card details or report a card lost/stolen.

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Who can get an older persons bus pass

To get an older persons bus pass you must be:

• resident in Scotland

If you're under 60, you can apply:

• for a disabled persons bus pass , if you're disabled
• for a young persons bus pass , if you're under 22

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Best no annual fee travel credit cards of April 2024

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.  

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.  

Travel rewards cards are a lot like gyms. The best ones may come with tons of added benefits (saunas, yoga class, etc.) but they also cost a lot, usually with a big financial commitment upfront. 

As a result, whether you’re considering a Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card (with its $95 annual fee) or a CrossFit membership, you probably have the same question on your mind: will I really use it enough to justify paying for it? 

While there aren’t any free gyms we know of, there thankfully are plenty of no-annual-fee travel rewards cards that require essentially zero commitment. And just like an ab roller or a Richard Simmons DVD, you can simply use them a few times, forget about them, and put them in a drawer until beach season. Or, you can stick with it and make them part of your daily routine—whatever works for you.

You’re also far more likely to see “instant results” with these cards, too. From 100,000-point welcome bonuses to rewards for paying rent, free travel insurance to 3X on gas, these cards offer way more than you’d expect for a fee of $0 per year. 

The best no-annual-fee travel cards for April 2024

Best overall: bilt mastercard, best for hotel rewards: ihg one rewards traveler credit card, best for airline rewards: united gateway℠ card, best for travel earnings: wells fargo autograph℠ card, best for flat-rate earnings: capital one ventureone rewards credit card.

The Bilt Mastercard allows you to earn points from paying rent and transfer them 1:1 to well over a dozen different travel partners including United MileagePlus and Marriott Bonvoy. Toss in some surprisingly robust travel insurance and you have our unconventional—yet logical—choice for the best overall no-annual-fee travel card of 2024.

Bilt Mastercard®

See Rates and Fees

Special feature

Rewards rates.

• 1x Earn 1X points on rent up to 100K/year
• 1x Earn 3X points on dining
• 2x Earn 2X points on travel
• 1x Earn 1X points on other purchases
• Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
• Uniquely earns points on rent
• Rent Day bonus every first of the month offers double points (excluding rent)
• Robust travel transfer partners
• Cash redemption rate is poor
• No traditional welcome bonus
• Travel perks: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection, Trip Delay Reimbursement, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
• See this page for details
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None

Why we like this card: As mentioned, the Bilt Mastercard’s most compelling feature is that it allows you to pay rent with a credit card—even if your landlord doesn’t take plastic—and avoid the transaction fee paying rent by credit card would typically incur. Then, as long as you complete five transactions each month, you’ll trigger 1X rewards on your rent payments. 

Note that rewards on rent are capped at 100,000 points per year.

In terms of earning potential, if you pay the median ~$2,000 rent in the U.S., you could earn approximately 24,000 points per year which can be used to book travel in Bilt’s portal at a value of 1.25 cents per point or transferred to any of Bilt’s airline or hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. In other words, you could likely earn a domestic flight with United or a weekend stay at Hyatt, all for simply paying rent on time.

The Bilt card also provides trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement, and primary rental car insurance (terms apply)—perks you wouldn’t typically find on a no-annual-fee credit card.

If you’re looking for a hotel rewards card that offers the most free nights for no annual fee, wait until you read about the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. With a six-figure welcome bonus, up to 17X on stays and other compelling rewards, it’s currently the gold standard for no-fee hotel rewards.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Intro bonus.

• 17x Earn up to 17X points when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts 
• 3x Earn 3X points on dining, utilities, internet, cable, and phone services, select streaming services, and at gas stations
• 2x Earn 2X points on all other purchases
• Generous welcome bonus not typically seen in a $0 annual fee card
• Travel protections that are unusual for a no-annual-fee card
• Fourth night free on award bookings
• Limited redemption options outside of IHG
• IHG points are worth less than some other rewards currencies
• Silver status granted with the card has limited benefit
• Additional perks: Trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection, ability to spend to Gold status
• Foreign transaction fee:None

Why we like this card: We like calling the IHG One Rewards Traveler card the “Liam Hemsworth” of travel rewards cards because it lives in the shadow of its big brother—the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card —but still delivers plenty of quality and substance in its own right (with no annual fee, to boot). 

For starters, you can get a welcome bonus of 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, potentially worth around $500 to $700 in IHG redemption. 

Plus, enjoy up to 17X points when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, instant Silver Elite status and a handy bonus where you redeem points for three consecutive nights and get the fourth night in your stay free. So, if you book a three-night stay using your welcome bonus, you’ll essentially be getting a complimentary four-night stay at a nice IHG property for no annual fee. The IHG One Rewards program could be very rewarding for the right traveler.

Check out our full review of the IHG One Rewards Traveler .

As a no-annual-fee airline card, the United Gateway℠ Card currently edges out its rival the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card by offering a more generous welcome bonus and travel insurance that the Delta card does not provide. If you fly occasionally and would like to earn miles, but aren’t willing to make the commitment of $95 or more for a mid-tier airline card with more perks, the Gateway is a strong choice. 

United Gateway℠ Card

• 2x 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, including tickets, Economy Plus, in-flight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, baggage service charges and other United purchases.
• 2x 2 miles per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit.
• 1x 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• No annual fee or foreign transaction fee
• Reward bonus categories outside of United Airlines
• Robust travel protections for a no-annual-fee card
• No baggage or expanded award availability benefits like with other United cards
• Subject to Chase 5/24 rule.
• United perks: 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
• Other perks: Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty
• Foreign transaction fee: None

Why we like this card: The United Gateway card offers 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting plus 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Considering a United Mile is worth roughly around 1.2 cents these days, effectively earning 2.4 cents back on everyday purchases is a solid value proposition. 

You’ll also get a welcome bonus of 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. And, you can save with a discount of 25% back on United in-flight and Club Premium drink purchases. 

New cardholders will enjoy a 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, after 21.99%–28.99% variable applies.

If the United Gateway card has a small lead on the Delta Skymiles Blue Amex at this point, it soars ahead (pun intended) when you look at the included travel and shopping protections. Both cards offer secondary rental car insurance, but only the Gateway includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty protection. 

So, if you’re seeking a no-annual-fee card you can use to rack up miles—and you either tend to fly United most of the time or you’re at minimum not devoted to a competing airline—the United Gateway is the card to beat.

Check out our full review of the United Gateway Card for more info.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page  

With a generous welcome bonus in exchange for an attainable spend amount, 3X on travel, and a fancy name, you’d think the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card would command an annual fee of at least $95. But it doesn’t, making it a superb candidate for general travel use.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Intro bonus.

• 3X 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans
• 1X 1X points on other purchases
• No annual fee
• 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (that's a $200 cash redemption value)
• Points transfer to partners
• Car rental insurance is secondary
• No travel insurance
• Transfer partners are limited
• Additional perks: Cell Phone Protection: Provides up to $600 in cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell bill with your Wells Fargo Autograph card. Coverage is subject to a $25 deductible and limited to two claims every 12-month period.
• Foreign transaction fee: N/A

Why we like this card: The Wells Fargo Autograph offers unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans and even your landline bill too if you have one, plus 1X points on other purchases—all without charging an annual fee. And, to make traveling a little cheaper/less stressful, you’ll also get $600 worth of cell phone protection (minus a $25 deductible) as long as you pay your phone bill with this card and secondary rental car insurance. 

Cardholders can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to Wells Fargo’s first wave of transfer partners including Air France‑KLM Flying Blue, Avianca Lifemiles, British Airways Executive Club, AerClub, and Iberia Plus and 1:2 to Choice Privileges. 

But even if you aren’t a member of those loyalty programs, earning 3X on dining, travel, gas, and more is hard to pass up. You can redeem points at a value of 1 cent each to offset past purchases on your account, meaning you can wield the Autograph either as a no-annual-fee travel card or as a cash-back card effectively earning unlimited 3% back in a wide swath of useful categories. 

Check out our full review of the Wells Fargo Autograph .

Sometimes, you just want a card that offers a little more than 1X on every purchase—without having to worry about what this quarter’s rotating rewards are, or whether a specific merchant qualifies as “groceries” for the purposes of your card’s rewards. If you value simplicity and the lack of an annual fee in your travel card, you’ll probably be a fan of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card and its straightforward rewards program.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Reward Rates

• 5x Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 1.25x Earn 1.25x miles on every other purchase
• Flexible travel rewards
• No foreign transaction fee
• Maximizing Capital One Miles requires a learning curve
• Cash redemption value is limited
• The VentureOne offers travel accident insurance, rental car coverage, extended warranty protection, exclusive access to events through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment

Why we like this card: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards offers 1.25X miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases and 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. That’s pretty much all that you have to remember. You can also get a nice welcome bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, which is a solid payout for a very attainable spending target. 

Capital One Miles can be transferred to well over a dozen airline and hotel partners, most at a 1:1 rate. Partners include Air Canada’s Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, Choice Privileges, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards, among others. Other ways to book travel include redeeming miles through Capital One’s portal or making the purchase directly, paying with your card like normal, then using miles for a statement credit to cover the transaction. 

The Venture One also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (after that, the variable APR will be 19.99%–29.99%). There’s an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 15 months that your account is open , then 4% per transfer for any promotional APR offered after. 

Come to think of it, provided you have the excellent credit needed to apply, the VentureOne could make a great travel companion for a grad student given its simplicity, lengthy intro APR period and low spending threshold required to trigger the welcome bonus.

Check out our full review of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards .

Frequently asked questions

Which card is best for international transactions without extra charges.

Zero foreign transaction fees is actually a common benefit among travel rewards cards, including many with no annual fee. For example, neither the Bilt Mastercard nor the United Gateway card charges a foreign currency conversion fee. 

What is the best travel credit card for a young person? 

If you’re still paying rent, the Bilt Mastercard is an excellent choice since it can generate points from rent payments which can then be transferred 1:1 to well over a dozen airline and hotel partners. If you’d prefer a card with a welcome bonus, which the Bilt card lacks, the IHG One Rewards Traveler card currently offers a massive welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card—potentially worth hundreds of dollars toward a future IHG hotel stay. 

Is a travel card with an annual fee worth it?

Using a travel rewards card with an annual fee can be worth it as long as you’re extracting enough points and benefits to justify paying the fee each year. If you travel infrequently or just want one less fee to worry about, consider one of the no-annual-fee cards on our list above. But, the best perks and protections are typically available on cards with annual fees.

For example, the Capital One Venture X card offers a $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel. If you use that every year, you’ve gone a long way toward offsetting the $395 annual fee. You also get 10,000 bonus miles, worth at least $100 toward travel, every year starting on your account anniversary.

Methodology

To bring you our top picks for the best travel rewards cards with no annual fee, the Fortune Recommends surveyed more than a dozen cards currently available from today’s top issuers. From there, we ranked each one based on the following core categories and weights:

• Welcome bonus (10%): Some cards—even those with no annual fee—offer welcome bonuses that you can earn once you make enough purchases within a certain time frame, such as spending $1,000 within three months of account opening.
• Travel earnings (25%): These are the point rewards you’d earn by making travel-related purchases (e.g. 3X on hotels, 2X on airfare).
• Car rental insurance (15%): Many, but not all travel-centric rewards cards include an auto rental collision damage waiver, which allows you to decline a portion of the rental company’s insurance and save potentially up to $30 per day. We gave extra consideration to if a card offers primary rental car insurance versus secondary, because primary kicks in immediately in a covered scenario—whereas secondary only applies after your own, personal insurance. 
• Travel insurance benefits (15%): Some travel rewards cards automatically apply trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost/delayed luggage reimbursement and even travel accident insurance on travel bookings made using the card.
• Gas earning (5%): Since road trips remain a common form of travel, whether or not a card offers points rewards at the pump factored into our rankings.
• Dining earning (10%): If a no-annual-fee travel rewards card offered 2X or more on restaurant purchases it favored well in this category.

The remaining 20% was based on the card’s main focus: hotel, airline or general travel rewards. 

• For general travel—points transferrable to partners (20%): Points are literally worth more if you can transfer them to certain partners, so a card’s ability to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners factored into our rankings.
• For hotel rewards—free award night with booking (20%): Some hotel rewards cards offer a BOGO-like perk where if you redeem a certain number of nights with points you get an extra tacked on for free.
• For airline rewards—ability to spend towards status (20%): Most airline rewards cards allow you to earn miles, but not all of them count those miles towards your next loyalty status. If a card treated them as “qualifying miles,” it fared better in this category.

Lastly, just keep in mind that virtually every aspect of a travel rewards card—from the rewards to the welcome bonus and fee structure—is subject to change, which could impact how many miles or points you earn. 

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.  

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.  

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

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USCIS Increases Automatic Extension of Certain Employment Authorization Documents to Improve Access to Work Permits

WASHINGTON — Building on extensive modernization efforts that have streamlined and improved access to work permits for eligible noncitizens, USCIS today announced a  temporary final rule (TFR) to increase the automatic extension period for certain employment authorization documents (EADs) from up to 180 days to up to 540 days. This announcement follows improvements that have reduced processing times for EADs significantly over the past year.

The temporary measure announced today will prevent already work-authorized noncitizens from having their employment authorization and documentation lapse while waiting for USCIS to adjudicate their pending EAD renewal applications and better ensure continuity of operations for U.S. employers. This is the latest step by the Biden-Harris Administration to get work-authorized individuals into the workforce, supporting the economies where they live.

“Over the last year, the USCIS workforce reduced processing times for most EAD categories, supporting an overall goal to improve work access to eligible individuals.  However, we also received a record number of employment authorization applications, impacting our renewal mechanisms,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Temporarily lengthening the existing automatic extension up to 540 days will avoid lapses in employment authorizations. At the same time, this rule provides DHS with an additional window to consider long-term solutions by soliciting public comments, and identifying new strategies to ensure those noncitizens eligible for employment authorization can maintain that benefit.”

This TFR aligns with an ongoing effort at USCIS to support employment authorized individuals’ access to work. USCIS has reduced EAD processing times overall and streamlined adjudication processing, including:

• Reducing by half EAD processing times of individuals with pending green card applications from FY2021 to date,
• Processing a record number of EAD applications in the past year, outpacing prior years,
• Engaging with communities to educate work-eligible individuals who were not accessing the process and provide on-the-ground intake support of applications,
• Reducing processing time for EADs for asylum applicants and certain parolees to less than or equal to 30-day median,
• Extending EAD validity period for certain categories from 2 years to 5 years,
• Streamlining the process for refugee EADs, and
• Expanding online filing for EADs to asylum applications and parolees.

This temporary measure will apply to eligible applicants who timely and properly filed an EAD renewal application on or after Oct. 27, 2023, if the application is still pending on the date of publication in the Federal Register. The temporary final rule will also apply to eligible EAD renewal applicants who timely and properly file their Form I-765 application during a 540-day period that begins with the rule’s publication in the Federal Register.

Absent this measure, nearly 800,000 EAD renewal applicants – including those eligible for employment authorization as asylees or asylum applicants, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants or recipients, and green card applicants – would be in danger of experiencing a lapse in their employment authorization, and approximately 60,000 to 80,000 employers would be negatively impacted as a result of such a lapse. EADs are generally valid for the length of the authorized parole period. This TFR does not extend the length of parole.

Since May 12, 2023 to March 13, 2024, DHS has removed or returned over 617,000 individuals, the vast majority of whom crossed the Southwest Border, including more than 97,000 individual family members. The majority of all individuals encountered at the southwest border over the past three years have been removed, returned, or expelled. Total removals and returns since mid-May exceed removals and returns in every full fiscal year since 2011.

As part of this temporary final rule, USCIS is soliciting feedback from the public that would inform potential future regulatory action. For more information, visit our  Automatic Employment Authorization Document Extension page .

For more information about USCIS, please visit  uscis.gov  or follow us on  Twitter ,  Instagram ,  YouTube ,  Facebook , and  LinkedIn .