The OMNY vending machine accepts credit and debit cards, including international cards. Mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.) are also accepted.

You can also use cash at OMNY vending machines. The machines can return cash in $1 and $5 bills, as well as coins.

The maximum amount of change the machine can return is $9.95.

An EBT card can be used at an OMNY vending machine to purchase a new card or reload a card. Note: EBT cards cannot be used to reload an OMNY Card.

If your transit benefit provider has issued you a contactless credit, debit, or reloadable prepaid card, you may be able to tap and ride with that card and use it to sign up for an OMNY account. Contact your transit benefit provider to determine if the card has contactless capabilities as well as to determine if their products can also be supported in mobile wallets.

You can purchase an OMNY Card with your pre-tax transit benefit card at an OMNY vending machine. Pre-tax transit benefit cards are not currently accepted at retail locations; however, they can be used to reload existing OMNY Cards online or by calling OMNY Customer Service.

If you load transit benefit funds to an OMNY Card, you won't be able to tap for others.

You can use multiple payment methods. However, to take advantage of benefits like free transfers or the weekly fare cap, you must use the exact same method of payment each time you tap. You can't switch between payment methods and still receive these benefits.

To ensure that the fare is charged to your preferred payment method, please remove your card from your physical wallet and tap it on the OMNY reader. This will prevent you from accidentally charging other cards in your physical wallet.

To ensure that the fare is charged to your preferred payment method, please select the card in your mobile wallet that you want to use, and then tap your smart device on the OMNY reader. Depending on the mobile wallet you are using, and the number of cards in your mobile wallet, you may need to select a default card.

You can apply a Reduced-Fare OMNY Card in person at Customer Service Centers (CSCs) or mobile vans or you can apply by mail. 

Learn more about applying for the Reduced-Fare program.

You can check one year of trip and charge history with an OMNY account. Go to the “Trips” and “Charges” sections of your account to see your payment history. If you don’t have an account, you can still check seven days of trip history.

The first time you tap your bank card or device on an OMNY reader, a temporary authorization may appear on your card statement. This amount is not a fare and will be reversed once the actual fare is charged.

First, contact your bank to resolve any issues with your card. Then call OMNY Customer Service at 877-789-6669 to reauthorize unpaid fares and restore your card.

Once resolved, it may take up to 15 minutes for your card to be accepted again.

If your contactless card or smart device is not accepted, try a different payment method to complete your ride.

Contact your bank to resolve issues with a particular card. If you're having trouble with a digital wallet, try removing and re-adding your card. You can also sign in or register for an OMNY account to troubleshoot and manage blocked payment methods.

Ask a station agent at your subway entrance for assistance. If there is no station agent present, call OMNY Customer Service at 877-789-6669, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Have ready (if possible):

• Receipt details
• Vending machine number (bottom right)
• Date, time & station of transaction

We can assist even without a receipt.

Yes. You can use the same payment method to pay for yourself and up to three additional riders on a single trip. Tap once for each rider—each tap will be charged as a full fare and has its own free transfer.

Important Notes:

• If it’s your first time using a card or device with the OMNY system, you may need to wait about a minute before you can tap again. Learn more within the “First ever tap?” section.
• You must tap all four riders at the same OMNY reader to retain free transfers. Tapping at a different reader—even in the same station or bus—will forfeit those transfers.
• For groups larger than four, use multiple payment methods to ensure everyone receives free transfers.

You must use the same payment method throughout each individual trip to qualify for benefits like free transfers. For example, if you tap your contactless card to ride the subway, you must tap that same contactless card to obtain your free transfer to a local bus. You cannot switch between your contactless card and other payment methods and still obtain your free transfer. If you switch between payment methods during an individual trip, your transfer will be treated as a new trip, and you will be charged for your transfer.

MetroCard is still accepted, so you can continue to use it until the balance runs out. Once the balance has been used up, you can start using your OMNY card. If you'd prefer to switch to OMNY right away, you can transfer the remaining balance on your MetroCard to your OMNY card at any MTA Customer Service Center or mobile sales vehicle. See locations here.

No. Just like with MetroCard, transfers between MTA subway or bus and AirTrain are not free.

Yes, you can! Bulk sales for government agencies and nonprofits are transitioning to the OMNY Programs portal, where you will be able to create an account, place and manage bulk orders, and reload cards for your client. Learn more at https://omny.info/bulk-sales.