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SmarTrip® Card Replacement

Take action now. Avoid disruption later.

     
 


SmarTrip® cards purchased before 2012 no longer work and must be replaced.

Metro is installing new, faster and more reliable faregates at rail stations and will be upgrading fareboxes on Metrobuses this year. This technology investment means that older SmarTrip® cards, purchased before 2012, no longer work.

If you’re using SmarTrip in your mobile wallet, you’re all set - just tap and go.


 
 


Step 1: Check the numbers on the back of your plastic card.

You should see a set of numbers that begins with 0167. If you do not, your card must be replaced.

SmarTrip image
 
 


Step 2: Replace your older SmarTrip® card before your next trip on Metro.

You’ll need to transfer the balance from your older SmarTrip® card to a new one.


If you are actively using the Metro system and have never had SmartBenefits® on your card:
Transfer your balance to an eligible SmarTrip® card or request a new card using the online balance transfer process.


If you do not plan to ride Metro in the next 30 days and have never had SmartBenefits® on your card:
Mail your older card to us and we’ll transfer your balance for you. A new card, with your transferred balance, will be sent within 10 business days of receiving your mail-in form. Download the mail-in form here


NOTE. To protect your balance, make sure your card is registered before putting it in the mail. If you prefer not to register your card, keep a record of the serial number on the back of your card.

If you currently have SmartBenefits® or your card was ever enrolled in a SmartBenefits® program:
You must replace your card using the online balance transfer process.

If you need further assistance, please review the FAQs located below or call SmarTrip customer service at 1-888-SMARTRIP (1-888-762-7874)

Download our brochure:
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Frequently Asked Questions

The deadline to replace older SmarTrip cards was March 1, 2022. If I missed that date does that mean the balance on my SmarTrip card is lost?
No. Your balance will remain on your older card until it is transferred to a new card.

I transferred the balance from my older SmarTrip card to a new card, why aren’t my funds on the new card?
If your card was never enrolled in SmartBenefits, you can visit the Transit Accessibility Center located You must tap your new card to a SmarTrip target between one and 30 days of transferring your funds. If you’ve tapped your card and you do not see your transferred balance after two days of travel, then please call SmarTrip Customer Service at 1-888-SMARTRIP (1-888-762-7874).

Can I replace my card in-person?
If your card was never enrolled in SmartBenefits, you can visit the Metro Sales Office located at 655 Virginia Ave SW, Washington DC 20024 to replace your card in-person (check the website for up-to-date hours of operation).

I mailed in my SmarTrip card but have not received my replacement card. How can I check the status of my replacement card?
A new card will be mailed to you within 10 business days of Metro receiving your mail-in form. You can call 1-888-SMARTRIP (1-888-762-7874), with your older SmarTrip card number, to check the status of your replacement card.

I have SmartBenefits on my older SmarTrip card, but I only use my card for vanpool, commuter rail, or commuter bus. Do I still need to replace my card?
If you allocate all your SmartBenefits to a vanpool or for use on commuter rail or commuter bus, then we recommend that you replace your older SmarTrip card to keep current with our new technology.  However, you will not be required to replace your card if you do not travel on Metro or with one of Metro’s regional partners.

Can I transfer the balance on my older SmarTrip card to a mobile SmarTrip card?
If you are actively riding the system and have a SmarTrip card in your mobile wallet, you can transfer the balance of your older SmarTrip card to it. First, make sure your mobile SmarTrip card is added to your account at SmarTrip.wmata.com, then transfer your balance to the mobile SmarTrip here.

What if I have a commemorative card and I don’t want to mail it in?
You can use the online balance transfer process to transfer your balance to a new card or to request a new card be mailed to you with your remaining balance.


 
 


WMATA First Generation SmarTrip® Card Elimination and Replacement Stored Value Promotion 
Terms and Conditions

During the promotional period (10/18/2021 through 1/31/2022), the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (“WMATA”) is offering $5.00 stored value to any customer who mails in a properly completed SmarTrip® card replacement form with their eligible first generation SmarTrip® card for replacement pursuant to this promotion.

This offer is only available to customers with eligible first generation SmarTrip® cards who follow the procedure to replace their eligible SmarTrip® card through mail.  This is a limited time offer – a properly completed SmarTrip® card replacement form and the first generation SmarTrip® card(s) must be returned to WMATA with a postmark dated on or before the promotional period ending date of January 31, 2022. The $5.00 will be added as stored value on the replacement SmarTrip® card to offset the cost of postage and processing time while replacement forms are processed.  WMATA reserves the right to terminate, cancel, modify, or suspend the offer at any time for any or no reason in its sole discretion without prior notice or liability to you.  This offer may not be combined with any other offers.  This offer is non-refundable, non-transferrable, and may not be resold or redeemed for cash.  This offer is subject to SmarTrip® terms and conditions, which are available online at https://www.wmata.com/about/records/smartrip-terms-conditions.cfm and are incorporated by reference in these terms and conditions.  SmarTrip® cards replaced in this manner will not be returned and will no longer be usable.  Violation of these terms may lead to the offer being invalidated.  This offer is void where prohibited.  WMATA is not responsible for errors or delays in the processing of any SmarTrip® card replacements.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY:  THE NEW SMARTRIP® CARD IS PROVIDED BY WMATA ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS AND YOUR USE OF THE SAME IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. WMATA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. WMATA DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. WMATA AND ITS EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROMOTION OR YOUR USE OF THE NEW SMARTRIP® CARD INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.  IN NO EVENT SHALL WMATA’S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY AND ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES, AND CAUSES OF ACTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OR THE NEW SMARTRIP® CARD EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF THE STORED VALUE BEING PROVIDED, WHICH IS $5.00.

This offer shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without regard to its choice of law provisions, except that in the case of any direct and irreconcilable conflict between Commonwealth of Virginia law and the WMATA Compact, the Compact shall prevail.  Each party submits to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria division.

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