Automatic Reloading
You can set up automatic reloading when you initially order a card and load value online. When loading cash value (between $20 and $255) and/or passes, you will be asked if you want to set up Autoload.
If you already have a card, you can choose to set up Autoload when you load value online. However, you will need to register your card as part of the process, if you haven’t already done so.
Once you set up Autoload, we need to confirm your payment method is valid. This is done immediately with credit cards, but it can take up to 10 days if you are using a checking account as your payment method. After that process is complete, you need to tag your card to activate your Autoload set-up. Once you’ve activated your Autoload, you’ll be able to see it in your account.
If you set up Autoload for a Caltrain, Muni, VTA or SamTrans monthly pass, we can only automatically reload your new pass from the date your old pass expires to the end of the sales window for that pass. After the end of the sales window, be prepared to pay your fares with cash value.
Yes, you can set up your Clipper card to automatically reload cash value, multiple passes or any combination of cash value and passes. And you can do it anytime. You could choose to set up Autoload for a pass and go back later to set up cash value, too.
If you set up Autoload for cash value, when your balance falls below $10, Clipper will automatically reload you card when you pay your next fare. If you set it up for a pass, Clipper will automatically reload a new pass on your card when the old one expires. You can only order a BART high-value discount ticket by setting it up for automatic reloading, and again, Clipper will reload the ticket you order after the balance falls below $10.
If you are setting up Autoload for cash value or BART high-value discount tickets, Clipper won’t charge your credit card or bank account until you tag your Clipper card to a card reader and load the value.
If you are setting up Autoload for a transit pass for the first time, Clipper will charge your credit card or bank account before making the pass available for you to pick up. After that, Clipper will not charge you until after you tag your card and load your pass on it.
When you first set up automatic loading, the process is not complete until we confirm your payment source is valid and you tag your card to a card reader or fare gate to activate automatic loading. Once you do that, it will show up in your account. If it’s been more than 6 months, you’ll need to call us at 877.878.8883 or TDD/TTY 711 or 800.735.2929.
This means we couldn’t process your payment for automatic reloading. If your credit/debit card or bank account is declined:
- We will automatically send a declined payment notice to the email address in your Clipper account.
- We must collect payment before midnight on the day we send you the declined payment notice if you want to keep using your card without interruption. If we can’t collect payment before midnight, we may block your pass/ticket or, in the case of cash value, your entire Clipper card.
- To provide payment, log in to your Clipper account and edit the payment information in My Profile. Even if you plan to use a credit card that is already associated with your account, you need to re-enter your card’s security code and select Save. We will send an email to confirm that you have updated information in your account. This is separate from confirmation of payment.
- After we collect payment, we will send you an email confirming this. Credit card charges are processed immediately. If you choose to provide bank account information, it may take up to 10 business days for Clipper to collect payment.
- Once you receive the email confirming successful payment, allow at least 1 day for your card to be unblocked. You will need to tag your card to a card reader or ticket machine to activate it. This process may take up to 5 days if you are tagging only on a bus or light-rail vehicle. You can shorten the process by tagging a fare gate; card reader at a train station or ferry terminal; ticket machine at Golden Gate Ferry, Muni, SMART or VTA; or Clipper Add Value machine. You can also ask a transit agency ticket office or Clipper Customer Service Center to tag your card.
You will not be able to make other changes to your Autoload settings until we are able to successfully charge your payment source and remove the block.
If you did not receive email notifications, we may not have the correct email address for you, or our email may have been blocked by a spam filter. Log in to your Cilpper account with the email address we have on file and provide an updated email address. You will need to use this new email address the next time you log in to your online account. Update your spam filter by adding custserv@clippercard.com to your list of approved email addresses.
You can avoid blocked cards by adding a Backup Payment method (credit/debit card) for Autoload purchases. So if your primary funding source is declined, your order will be charged to your backup card. Log in to your account to add a Backup Payment method.
We notify customers 30 and 60 days before the expiration date of their payment card on file. Make sure you always have a current email address on file. Update your spam filter by adding custserv@clippercard.com to your list of approved email addresses.
You can add a backup credit card for Autoload purchases, so if your primary funding source is declined, your order will be charged to your backup card. Log in to your Clipper account to add backup payment.
Log in to your Clipper account. Find your card and select Manage Autoload from the More Options menu. Your Autoload is now cancelled, but your online account will not reflect this until the next time you tag your card. While Clipper processes your cancellation request immediately, there is a slight delay in this information reaching card readers. Most card readers are updated within a day, but please allow up to 5 days for readers on buses and Muni light-rail trains to be updated.