MasterCard's 'Fare Free Mondays' Returns to London Next Week for Apple Pay Users

Thursday February 25, 2016 8:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
MasterCard has announced that it will be relaunching its "Fare Free Mondays" promotion in London, England next week. Each Monday between February 29 and March 14, commuters using Apple Pay to touch in and out of the Transport for London network will be reimbursed for travel costs that are paid for with a U.K. MasterCard.


The promotion is valid for travel on London Buses, London Underground, London Trams, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, TfL Rail, Emirates Air Line, and most National Rail services in London, where a yellow card reader is present. MasterCard will reimburse up to £28.10 per person on each of the three Mondays.

The exact dates and times for "Fare Free Mondays" based on London time:

- Monday, February 29 at 4:30 a.m. to Tuesday, March 1 at 1:00 a.m.
- Monday, March 7 at 4:30 a.m. to Tuesday, March 8 at 1:00 a.m.
- Monday, March 14 at 4:30 a.m. to Tuesday, March 15 at 1:00 a.m.

The promotion was first offered on Mondays between November 23 and December 14.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay
Tags: MasterCard, Transport for London
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Gasu E.
51 months ago

Ah yes. And Visa uses get the shaft.


How about doing it EVERY MONDAY from now on, instead of a virtuous "Aren't we wonderful!" promo month? If you are giving something kind, make it PERMANENT.


As Americans, we inherited much from our English forebears; including language, concepts of government and human rights, and the ability to be ungracious entitled ingrates. Thanks, England, for your many gifts!
Rating: 8 Votes
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JohnApples
51 months ago
"There's no way my fellow MacRumors readers will be able to put a negative spin on something like this!"

I'm ashamed of my own naivety and stupidity.
Rating: 7 Votes
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ArtOfWarfare
51 months ago

How about doing it EVERY MONDAY from now on, instead of a virtuous "Aren't we wonderful!" promo month? If you are giving something kind, make it PERMANENT.

Uh, what? This is pretty generous - they're losing up to $120/person during each of these promotions. There's no way they could afford to make it permanent.

The aim of the promotion is to make customers try it and see how convenient it is. Once they realize how convenient it is, MasterCard hopes they'll keep doing it (without the financial incentive).

I guess they could have a permanent promotion of "The first 3 days that you use Apple Pay to commute, we'll reimburse you up to $40/day."
Rating: 6 Votes
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Amazing Iceman
51 months ago
Why don't we get a "Free Gas Monday" here in the U.S.???
Rating: 4 Votes
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mike2413088
51 months ago
Well at least you guys in London have the brains to use contactless cards, chip, and mobile payments.

Here in America we listen to:
"What? Contactless? What's that?"
"No, I'm not using a contactless card, they're stupid and dangerous."
"Mobile phone payments aren't safe, I'll just swipe my card instead."
"Why do I have to insert the card instead? That's stupid."
[doublepost=1456418042][/doublepost]

Ah yes. And Visa uses get the shaft.


Why would you even use a Visa anyways? MasterCard is more widely accepted, and there's no advantage to choosing a Visa over a MasterCard.
Rating: 1 Votes
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uid15
51 months ago
Seems rather... unfare
Rating: 1 Votes
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Mr Kram
51 months ago

Well at least you guys in London have the brains to use contactless cards, chip, and mobile payments.

Here in America we listen to:
"What? Contactless? What's that?"
"No, I'm not using a contactless card, they're stupid and dangerous."
"Mobile phone payments aren't safe, I'll just swipe my card instead."
"Why do I have to insert the card instead? That's stupid."
[doublepost=1456418042][/doublepost]

Why would you even use a Visa anyways? MasterCard is more widely accepted, and there's no advantage to choosing a Visa over a MasterCard.


what's a card. people still write friggin checks. makes my blood boil.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
0098386
51 months ago

Well at least you guys in London have the brains to use contactless cards, chip, and mobile payments.

Here in America we listen to:
"What? Contactless? What's that?"
"No, I'm not using a contactless card, they're stupid and dangerous."
"Mobile phone payments aren't safe, I'll just swipe my card instead."
"Why do I have to insert the card instead? That's stupid."
[doublepost=1456418042][/doublepost]

Why would you even use a Visa anyways? MasterCard is more widely accepted, and there's no advantage to choosing a Visa over a MasterCard.

In America you also have people that think theres any difference between Visa and Mastercard in the UK ;).
Rating: 1 Votes
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Loge
51 months ago
People in their 30s don't know where their chequebook is,
People in their 20s don't know what a chequebook is ...
Rating: 1 Votes
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ArtOfWarfare
51 months ago

i am for the most part cash free, but always keep enough for tipping money and for the occasional transaction which requires cash only.

however, while i still pay my gardener and pool man with checks, i don't write a check for a carton of milk and a loaf of bread at the grocery store with the line is 5 people deep...


I didn't say I write checks for anyone. That seems like a huge waste of time. I pay everyone with credit card, Apple Pay, or Facebook cash. Depending on the grocery store, I use Apple Pay or credit card. Both are pretty quick. I get pissed off at anyone who stands there for a minute trying to count out bills and coins to pay for a carton of milk and loaf of bread (or anything else, for that matter.) Get a freaking card.
Rating: 1 Votes

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