We hope that you have your OMNY card by now, but if you haven’t, you’re going to have to get one before the end of 2025.
With the MetroCard disappearing, and New Yorkers flocking to get OMNY cards (and even some lucky ones getting reduced-fare OMNY cards and Student OMNY cards), it’s becoming even more important to stay ahead of the public transportation trends.
But we know, it’s chaotic and can be a lot all at once, especially if you’re getting used to your new card. So much so that you may even…lose it?!
Fear not, in this guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process on what to do if you lose your brand new shiny OMNY card. We got you.
Step 1: Report the Lost/Stolen Card
The first step in losing your OMNY card is reporting it and trying to deactivate it. Here’s how to do it based on which OMNY card you have.
Standard OMNY Card
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If your card is linked to an OMNY account online: Log in at omny.info to suspend the lost card and transfer its balance to a new one.
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If your card is not linked: Unfortunately, the balance cannot be recovered. It’s recommended to register future cards to an OMNY account to protect your balance. If your card is not linked, additional funds cannot be added, since no debit or credit card is linked.
Reduced-Fare OMNY Card
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If your card is linked to an OMNY account online: Log in at omny.info to suspend the lost card.
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If your card is not linked: Call OMNY Customer Service at 877-789-6669 to suspend the card by providing its number.
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If the card is not linked and you don’t have the card number: Visit a customer service location, such as the MTA Customer Service Center at 3 Stone Street in Lower Manhattan, to report the loss and obtain a replacement. The balance at the time of replacement will be transferred to your new card.
Student OMNY Card
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Report the loss to your school’s administration as soon as possible. They will deactivate the old card and issue a replacement.
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Be aware that some schools may not be able to provide immediate replacements and may have limitations on the number of replacements issued.
Fair Fares OMNY Card
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Log in to your ACCESS HRA account at nyc.gov/accessfairfares and select ‘Report Fair Fares OMNY Card lost or stolen.’
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Alternatively, call 311 for assistance.
Step 2: Get a Replacement
In terms of getting a replacement to your lost or stolen OMNY card, it once again depends on what kind of card you have.
If you’re replacing a standard OMNY card, you are going to have to just buy a new one out of a machine (use this map to find one). And if you registered the old one, you can transfer the balance to the new card.
If you’re replacing a Student OMNY card, tell your school and they will give you a replacement.
If you’re replacing a reduced-fare OMNY card, visit an MTA customer service location to receive a new one.
If you’re replacing a Fair Fare OMNY card, a new one will be mailed to you within 2 to 3 weeks after reporting the issue. Keep in mind that all replacement cards are mailed; in-person pickup is not available.
Step 3: Protecting Your New OMNY Card
Once you receive your new OMNY card, it’s ESSENTIAL to take care of it and protect the information associated it.
Start by linking your OMNY card to a free and secure OMNY account online (if you haven’t done this already). This will make the future easier in case it gets lost again or you have issues with your OMNY balance or account.
Also, be sure to keep track of your account information separately too. Write down your OMNY card number, CVV, and expiration date somewhere so you always have it just in case.