Originally Posted by
hipquest
BUT my contactless AMEX will work, on it's own? I/we, personally, don't want to use Apple/Google Pay but will if I/we must so those will be set up, just in case. I really don't want to be that person that holds up the line, I mean queue. Read through that thread, thanks for the link.
It should work, but you are waaaaay overthinking this. Oyster cards are sold at vending machines for £5. The same vending machines can refund your remaining balance
and the £5 card deposit when you leave, so the card is effectively free. Every station has at least one vending machine that sells (and tops up) Oyster cards and will accept your American credit card. Even chip-and-sign cards work
Because of capping, it's important always to use the same card--so if Apple/Google Pay doesn't work because a contactless reader is in a bad mood or your battery is flat, you start the day over at zero and could end up paying more than the daily cap.