Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has told his newsletter subscribers that anyone with an unused Oyster card could be eligible to reclaim a share of £560 million. Recent Transport for London figures from June 2026 show more than 95 million Oyster cards have not been used for at least a year.
Unclaimed deposits and credit
Of the £560 million currently dormant, £267 million comes from initial deposits. If you bought an Oyster card before September 4, 2022, you paid a £5 deposit which can be claimed back. A further £292 million comes from pay-as-you-go credit still on cards.
Who can claim?
If you purchased your Oyster card on or after September 4, 2022, the initial fee (now £10.50) is non-refundable, but you can still reclaim pay-as-you-go credit. For cards bought between February 23, 2020 and September 4, 2022, the £5 deposit was automatically refunded as credit after a year; unused credit can be reclaimed. For cards from before February 23, 2020, you can get a refund of the £5 deposit and any remaining credit. Your card will be stopped when you request a deposit refund.
How to claim
Register your card online, then check your balance via the TfL Go app. To refund, sign into your Contactless and Oyster account, select the card, and click 'Apply for a product refund'. If you have £10 or less pay-as-you-go credit, you can also get a refund from Tube station ticket machines.
