Chased Out: Google Replaced as Tube Contactless Partner

Chase Bank UK and Transport for London (TfL) have announced a partnership, naming Chase as the ‘Official Payment Partner’ for London’s transport network. 

The partnership will allow Chase customers to earn up to 1% cashback on debit cards used to tap in and out of 5,000 contactless readers on the transport network. 

Chase replaces GooglePay, the previous partner of choice for TfL. Chase users will be able to tap in using the digital wallet on the Tube, DLR, Overground and Elizabeth Line. 

TfL states that customers will be able to see the Chase brand “take pride of place” on its services  “very soon”. 

How did the digital bank capture TfL’s attention? 

Chase are currently offering 1% cashback not only for travel on TfL services, but also for fuel, groceries, ferries and at electric vehicle charging points. 

The offer applies for customers in their first year of owning a debit card with the digital bank. 

Kuba Fast, Chase UK CEO says: “This is big! I’m excited to announce Chase’s new partnership with Transport for London (TfL), making us the Official Payment Partner for London’s iconic public transport network.

“The Chase brand will be featured on over 5,000 contactless Oyster readers across the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line, and DLR – alongside a range of other branding and activation rights.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our ambition to help people progress, and complements our cashback offer on everyday transport across the UK.

“We’re looking forward to working with TfL!”

Chase states that its customers can earn up to £15 per month through its cashback programme, totalling a potential £180 per year for users utilising the services for everyday commute. 

Commuters and beyond: What happened to GooglePay? 

TfL customers can continue to use other partners to pay for their commute. 

As reported in The Standard, Emma Strain, Customer Director at TfL, says: “Pay as you go with contactless is the most popular way to travel using public transport in London and this commercial partnership with Chase is a great example of how TfL can work with brands.

“We look forward to working with them on a range of customer-focused activations across our network in the coming years.” she notes. 

GooglePay, one of the most popular brands of mobile wallet in the UK, according to UK Finance, was the previous official payment partner for TfL. 

TfL says on LinkedIn that: “We’re proud to have partnered with Chase as our ‘Official Payment Partner”

The Standard also reports that the partnership will roll out in major UK tube stations such as King’s Cross, Waterloo, Victoria, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street, Euston, Bond Street, Bank and Canary Wharf. 

The Chase logo will be visible on contactless barriers for commuters. 

Chase’s rise to UK partnership 

Arriving in the UK in 2021, the bank is part of JPMorgan Chase & co, one of the largest banks in America.

Voted Best British Bank in 2023 and 2024, its digital offerings continued to expand for the UK public. 

Quickly gaining traction, the bank announced in 2024 that it had been named Official Banking Partner of the Home Nations (Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland) Football teams - inclusive of theWomen’s, Men’s, Youth, and Para national teams.