Oyster card receipts?

[gadgetman]

I use a PAYG Oyster which I top up at a machine which doesn't give receipts.

I've checked online and my journey history shows a line item for each top up but I can't find anywhere to print off a receipt.

Is there a way to get something which I can use in my records or will the journey history do?

[TheFaQQer]

I use a PAYG Oyster which I top up at a machine which doesn't give receipts.

I've checked online and my journey history shows a line item for each top up but I can't find anywhere to print off a receipt.

Is there a way to get something which I can use in my records or will the journey history do?

Journey history should do - I pay direct out of the company account, so the record is there on the company bank account in lieu of a receipt.

Plus, of course, my dispensation means that I don't need any receipts

[gadgetman]

I'm also paying with direct from the company bank account (via a debit card) so it will appear on the bank statement. Is this sufficent?

How difficult is it to get the dispensation? Any pointers where to start?

[Ardesco]

How difficult is it to get the dispensation? Any pointers where to start?

As long as you can prove that you have spent the money it's fine. A recipt is valid proof, and so is a payment out of your Company Bank Account to the rozzers who run the Oyster scheme.

If you are really paranoid keep a log of all your journeys too.

[TheFaQQer]

How difficult is it to get the dispensation? Any pointers where to start?

Sorry - it was a touch tongue in cheek.

If you have only one director of the company, then you can't get one (I think). You need to have a detailed policy for approving expenses and be able to detail the checks that you undertake to ensure that they are valid expenses, etc. etc.

Some accountants will "help" you get one - for a fee. But if you meet the rules, then it's a matter of just applying for one to your local tax office. Some tax offices are more willing to grant them than others - my company met all the rules and restrictions, has an expenses policy, an approval hierarchy, etc. etc. and so I got one. I don't know of any other contractors who have one, apart from those through a brolly.

[rawly]

I use a PAYG Oyster which I top up at a machine which doesn't give receipts.

I've checked online and my journey history shows a line item for each top up but I can't find anywhere to print off a receipt.

Is there a way to get something which I can use in my records or will the journey history do?

Set up an Auto Top-Up and you get an email verifying the date and amount debited, which you can then print out.

[gadgetman]

Sorry - it was a touch tongue in cheek.

I don't know of any other contractors who have one, apart from those through a brolly.

Sorry, sense of humour failure

I think I noticed a while back someone in the PCG forums has managed to get one.

[TheFaQQer]

Sorry, sense of humour failure

I think I noticed a while back someone in the PCG forums has managed to get one.

If you meet the rules, then it's not hard, but it's up to your local office. Some are more willing to give them than others.

My accountant offered to help me get one (for £400 + VAT), but all I did was fill in a form and send it off. They asked for evidence of approvals processes etc. which I sent them, and they granted me one.

[gadgetman]

I don't trust their automated system. I set up a manual £50 top up online for the next day. I got email confirmation at 2am the following day that it was done and waiting for me at Euston underground. When I got to the tube gates it wouldn't let me in.

Had to queue and buy a ticket. I later spent an hour on the phone and half an hour at the tube trying to locate the missing top up.

It eventually was added on my way home. I wrote to Tfl for an explanation but they never replied. Seems like a pretty hopeless system if you can't rely on a top up actually being applied.

Since then I have done all top ups in person.

Set up an Auto Top-Up and you get an email verifying the date and amount debited, which you can then print out.

[rawly]

I don't trust their automated system. I set up a manual £50 top up online for the next day. I got email confirmation at 2am the following day that it was done and waiting for me at Euston underground. When I got to the tube gates it wouldn't let me in.

Had to queue and buy a ticket. I later spent an hour on the phone and half an hour at the tube trying to locate the missing top up.

It eventually was added on my way home. I wrote to Tfl for an explanation but they never replied. Seems like a pretty hopeless system if you can't rely on a top up actually being applied.

Since then I have done all top ups in person.

Please don't be put off! The Auto Top Up has worked flawlessly for me!

I suspect you may not have read the instructions regarding the 'first use' of the credit card you used! When it said it would be 'waiting at Euston' you have to swipe your Oyster card on the ticket machine in the station (not the gates) to verify you are the card holder, you then follow the instructions - which as I recall includes re-swiping the credit card in the machine. This is a one time event only when you first register your credit card against your Oyster account. After this, topping up manually on-line is then done immediately.

Hope I've explained that OK!