Hmmmm - I'm in the NY area, but not a commuter. I wonder though - can you "stock up" on Metrocards? For example - if this program ends on March 31st and you have the "extra" cash handy, can you buy/load your Metrocard to cover your expenses through June, or even the end of the year? Would that be an effective use of your funds, or is it too risky to have that much value on your Metrocard? Just curious.

That's wild, I just published a big list of ways for commuters to save money based on my experience commuting to -- yup, NYC! Added your post to my list, nice find :)

link

I had a horrible time trying to register by telephone in the back of a cab. Chase's computer would not recognize my account number. So that involved a connection to the 302# on my card and a supervisor for 30 minutes.

Now I am trying to get the merchant category codes from them to make sure what really qualifies since the T&C are so short and vague --- what about MetroNorth ticketw purchased online or at the ticket window and what about MetroCards at the ticket windows too? If they identify the purchase by MCC then all merchants in that MCC would count to the threshold. So when you go to Boston or Chicago or DC and buy a subway ticket or pay for a cab with credit or debit card – it counts if they identify the charges by MCC as qualifying, which I am quite sure they do as that is how the do our bonus rewards for category spend. Also many limousines and car service merchants use this MCC 4121 – “Limousines & Taxis.� So maybe that airport ride from the suburbs in a town car or SUV would count!

This is also a great time to load up your back-up pay per ride MetroCard before rates increase in March.

What is the maximum one can put on a pay per ride MetroCard? They expire in one year so get a few to last you 12 months as another poster suggested.

update –

Chase is identifying transactions by merchant name/descriptor. They worked with the MTA and the TLC to make sure only POS terminals with certain names will qualify. SO it is not by the all popular MCC which our bonus reward programs are by.

So I guess if you buy your subway ticket online or at the ticket window or reload your Express Pay MetroCard online it does not count – it has to be MTA Vending Machine for NYC Transit only so no MetroNorth stuff apparently.

New promo for 2009 -- March 1 to April 30

Details here:
www.chase.com/commutercash
Registration required!

Both Credit and Debit and Chase and WaMu

I commute on the subway and bus for work during the week in New York city. I recently spied the same ad on the subway. Its a shame its so limited. I think I might do as another suggested and take advantage by stocking up on a couple metro cards. If you don't have a large amount on just the one, I think I'll feel a little less worried about losing them. I wish I had seen the ad earlier.

I'm definitely stocking up!