How-To Guide:
Checking the expiration date on & renewing an expiring Chicago Card
Note: The information on this page applies to people who have a regular Chicago Card (with the all-blue face).
If you have Chicago Card Plus (with a blue-and-gold face), see instructions for Chicago Card Plus owners.
Do you know if your Chicago Card expires soon?
Chicago Cards expire after approximately four years from when they’re issued. When your card is nearing expiration, you may need to request a new one.
Finding your expiration date
We give you a number of ways to check the expiration date of your Chicago Card:
Option A: Check on the Internet
For regular Chicago Cards (with the all-blue face), go to Chicago Card Expiration Lookup.
Option B: Check at an 'L' station
You can check the expiration date for your Chicago Card at any Passenger Information Unit, installed near the Customer Assistant kiosk at many ‘L’ (CTA train) stations.
If you think your card may soon expire, check its expiration date. It’s easy:
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Find the Passenger Information Unit at an ‘L’ station.
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Wave your Chicago Card near the reader.
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Check the display for the expiration date*.
Option C: Visit Us
You can bring your card in to check the expiration date and, if it's within 45 days, renew it or upgrade to a Chicago Card Plus on the spot at the CTA Sales Center, located in the second floor lobby of our headquarters.
We're open on regular business days from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:
Chicago Transit Authority
567 W Lake St 2nd Fl
Chicago, IL
(1 block west of Clinton on the Green and Pink Lines)
Option D: Call Us
Our Customer Service representatives can look up your expiration date for you and help you with issues related to your registration or PIN.
Call 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282), or TTY: 1-888-CTA-TTY1 (1-888-282-8891), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
What to do if your card is expiring
If your Chicago Card is expiring, you'll need to renew it.
If you do not renew an expiring card, the card will stop working on its expiration date and you will not be able to use the remaining balance on the card.
Renew online
(You'll receive your card in 5-7 business days.)
Go to Chicago Card Expiration Lookup and fill out the form. You'll then receive instructions on how to replace your Chicago Card.
Note: If your Chicago Card is not registered, you'll need to register it to have it replaced. If your card already is registered, you'll need the PIN you selected to renew it online—call Customer Service if you don't know your PIN.
Renew in person
(You'll receive your card on-the-spot.)
You can renew your card or upgrade to a Chicago Card Plus on the spot at the CTA Sales Center, located in the second floor lobby of our headquarters.
We're open on regular business days from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:
Chicago Transit Authority
567 W Lake St 2nd Fl
Chicago, IL
(1 block west of Clinton on the Green and Pink Lines)
Renew by phone
(You'll receive your card in 7-10 business days.)
Our Customer Service representatives can look up your expiration date for you and help you with issues related to your registration or PIN.
Call 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282), TTY: 1-888-CTA-TTY1 (1-888-282-8891), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.