April 8, 2026
Experience Card changes to provide more flexibility for customers
Summary:
- Online vehicle Experience Card minimum top-up reduced from $130 to $100
- No changes to fares or Experience Card savings structure
- Terminal vehicle minimum remains $130; passenger minimum remains $50
VICTORIA, BC – Beginning April 15, BC Ferries will reduce the minimum vehicle Experience Card top-up to $100 for online on all routes where the program applies. This change reflects feedback from customers and communities and makes it easier to access savings, while providing more flexibility for frequent and ferry-dependent travellers.
“We’ve heard clearly from communities that the current $130 reload minimum can feel like a significant upfront cost, especially for people who rely on ferries regularly,” said Brian Anderson, Vice President, Strategy & Planning at BC Ferries. “Lowering the minimum for online and kiosk top-ups helps reduce that barrier, while supporting smoother operations at busy terminals. Like many services, online options give customers more control ahead of travel and help reduce transaction volumes during peak periods.”
Beginning April 15, customers will be able to top up their Experience Card vehicle savings online or at terminal kiosks with a minimum of $100, down from $130. The minimum amount at terminals for in-person transactions will remain $130, and the $50 minimum for passenger-only savings remains unchanged. This change does not affect fares or the savings applied when using an Experience Card.Customers can also choose to self-serve and reload their Experience Card at terminal kiosks with the same $100 minimum. Kiosks are available at Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay, Departure Bay, Duke Point, Horseshoe Bay and Campbell River.
Customers who choose to top up their Experience Card online or at a kiosk rather than through in-person transactions help reduce queuing in pre-ticketing areas, as in-person top-ups can increase processing times and impact check-in flow during busy periods.
The Experience Card was introduced in 2008 to replace paper commuter booklets and provide a secure way for customers to pre-purchase multiple trips at discounted rates. It is available on select routes, primarily ferry-dependent minor routes and corridors such as Nanaimo Harbour–Gabriola Island, Bowen Island, the Sunshine Coast and inter-Gulf Island services, most of which do not offer advance booking.
These approaches reflect how different parts of the ferry system operate. Minor routes generally do not have reservation systems and, in some cases, terminals are not staffed, making the Experience Card a simple and consistent option. On major routes, advance booking and Saver fares, which are generally priced lower than Experience Card discounts, help manage demand, support a smoother travel experience, and make better use of available capacity.
“In some cases, customers may have access to more than one option, depending on how the route operates,” added Anderson. “For example, on the Horseshoe Bay–Langdale and Powell River–Comox routes, customers can choose between Experience Card savings and Saver fares, which may offer lower prices when planning ahead. It’s about giving people flexibility in how they plan and pay for travel, while aligning options with how each route operates and the infrastructure in place.”
Maintaining the current Experience Card minimum for in-person transactions at terminals ensures this option remains available for customers who prefer it, while helping manage transaction volumes at busy locations. Lowering the in-person minimum would increase departure-day transactions at high-volume terminals, impacting wait times and frontline operations.
Registering and using an Experience Card online gives customers more control ahead of travel and can help make the experience smoother, including the ability to:
- Reload at any time before travel
- Track balances and trip history
- Set up automatic payments
- Manage multiple cards under one account
- Benefit from loss protection
BC Ferries continues to review its fare tools and customer programs each year as part of its regulated process to balance affordability, reliability and long-term system sustainability.
For a full list of routes where Experience Card savings apply, visit www.bcferries.com.
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