The Chicago Transit Authority is again notifying customers who purchased their Chicago Card Plus or Chicago Card four years ago that the cards will begin to expire in April and that free replacement cards are available.
Chicago Cards use a stored-value system that allows fare value to be added to the card by inserting cash into any Transit Card Vending Machine, at Touch-n-Go locations, or using an ATM or major credit card at Express Vending Machines at selected locations. Chicago Card Plus is a farecard with its balance kept in an online account.
Card users can check the status of their cards in a number of ways:
Chicago Card
Approximately 4,600 cards are set to expire between April 6 and July 29. Customers can check the expiration date of their Chicago Cards four ways: online at www.chicago-card.com/cc, at the passenger information units in most CTA rail stations; by calling 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.; or by visiting the CTA Sales Center at 567 W. Lake St., Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
To avoid deactivation or loss of their remaining balance, registered Chicago Card customers must obtain a replacement card. Only registered cards can have the balance transferred. In order to preserve balances, customers with unregistered cards are encouraged to go online or call CTA to register their cards before the expiration date. Once registered, customers will be able to transfer any remaining value to a new card.
Obtaining a new card with the balance transferred can be done through one of the following options:
- In Person – Prior to card expiration, registered Chicago Card customers can transfer the balance from their existing card to a new one at the CTA Sales Center located on the second floor of CTA’s headquarters at 567 W. Lake St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. After presenting the soon-to-expire or expired card to the cashier, customers will be given a new card with the remaining balance transferred from the expiring card.
- Over the Phone – Customers with a registered Chicago Card, who wish to transfer the balance of their existing card to a new one after it expires, also can call 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. A new card with the remaining balance from the expired card will be mailed within five to seven business days.
Customers also can order a new card online by visiting www.chicago-card.com/cc, clicking on the Expired Cards link and following the screen prompts. A new zero-value card will be delivered within five to seven business days. Customers will need to use the remaining balance on their expiring Chicago Cards prior to its expiration date. Please note, balances cannot be transferred when ordering online.
Chicago Card Plus
More than 50,000 Chicago Card Plus cards expire in 2009 – with the majority expiring in July. The CTA will send e-mails to customer 45 days prior to the day the card agreement is scheduled to expire. The e-mail will outline simple steps to verify the cardholder’s address online. Following verification, a replacement card will be mailed to the cardholder. The CTA will not send a replacement card unless the address is confirmed by the cardholder.
Customers are encouraged to update their Chicago Card Plus account online now at www.chicago-card.com, to assure that the CTA has the most accurate e-mail and address information for the account. Accounts also can be updated by calling 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
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