What’s in Store for Retail

Today, classic blue ORCA cards are still available for purchase and reload at 135 retail stores across the Central Puget Sound. We’re upgrading and expanding our retail network starting in Fall 2022 to add more locations and locally owned businesses. What you need to know depends on what store you buy and reload your ORCA card at.

Do I need a new card?

Old or new? Blue or black? RRFP? You might be wondering whether you need to replace your ORCA card. Here are a few helpful things to know:

About the New Black Card

• The new ORCA card is coming in late September 2022
• The new black card will be compatible with cash registers in more stores
• The new cards will have a bar code, a requirement to work with more retail chains and locally owned shops
• Some customers that want to keep using retail may need to replace their card. It depends on what store you use

About the Classic Blue Card or RRFP Card

• If you don’t use ORCA at retail stores, you don’t need to get a new card
• Classic cards will continue to work on transit, with card readers and vending machines, as well as with our new myORCA.com website and the myORCA app

Don’t know which card you have? Check out our article here which goes in-depth about different ORCA card types.

If you are a retail customer, never fear – there’s no need to rush out and get a new card. You will have a few months to replace your old one. For now, just keep tapping with your Classic Blue or RRFP.

What you need to do depends on where you shop  

Find the store you reload your ORCA card at to find out what you need to know starting in September 2022:

QFC

QFC will continue to reload both old and new card types. Starting in September 2022, at QFC you will be able to:   

• Reload your existing Adult, Senior, Disabled, or LIFT card at the customer service counter. You don’t need a new card
• Reload new, redesigned Adult, Senior, Disabled, or LIFT cards at the customer service counter
• Buy a new adult card from the gift card kiosk and check out at the customer service counter
• Retail stores do not sell Senior, Disabled, or LIFT card. Find out where to get one here

Fred Meyer (Coming soon!)  

New Fred Meyer’s locations will reload both old and new card types. Starting in September 2022, at Fred Meyers you will be able to:   

• Reload your existing Adult, Senior, Disabled, or LIFT card at the customer service counter. You don’t need a new card
• Reload new, redesigned Adult, Senior, Disabled, or LIFT cards at the customer service counter
• Buy a new adult card from the gift card kiosk and check out at the customer service counter
• Retail stores do not sell Senior, Disabled, or LIFT card. Find out where to get one here

Albertson’s

Albertson’s will temporarily continue to reload existing Adult, Senior, Disabled, and LIFT cards through November 2022. After that, you will need a new redesigned Adult, Senior, Disabled, and LIFT card at these locations. At Albertson’s you will be able to: 

September-November 2022

• Reload your existing Adult, Senior, Disabled, or LIFT card at the customer service counter. You don’t need a new card yet
• Reload new, redesigned Adult, Senior, Disabled, or LIFT cards in checkout lanes
• Buy a new adult card from the gift card kiosk and check out at any register
• Retail stores do not sell Senior, Disabled, or LIFT card. Find out where to get one here

After November 2022

• Reload new, redesigned Adult, Senior, Disabled, or LIFT cards in checkout lanes. You will need a new card
• Buy a new adult card from the gift card kiosk and check out at any register
• Retail stores do not sell Senior, Disabled, or LIFT card. Find out where to get one here

Safeway 

Safeway will temporarily continue to reload existing Adult, Senior, Disabled and LIFT cards through November 2022. After that you will need a new redesigned Adult, Senior, Disabled and LIFT card at these locations. At Safeway you will be able to: 

September-November 2022

• Reload your existing Adult, Senior, Disabled, or LIFT card at the customer service counter. You don’t need a new card yet
• Reload new, redesigned Adult, Senior, Disabled, or LIFT cards in checkout lanes
• Buy a new adult card from the gift card kiosk and check out at any register
• Retail stores do not sell Senior, Disabled, or LIFT card. Find out where to get one here

After November 2022

• Reload new, redesigned Adult, Senior, Disabled, or LIFT cards in checkout lanes. You will need a new card
• Buy a new adult card from the gift card kiosk and check out at any register
• Retail stores do not sell Senior, Disabled, or LIFT card. Find out where to get one here

 Saar’s Super Saver Foods 

Saar’s will only sell and reload new cards starting in September 2022. After that, you will need a new, redesigned Adult, Senior, Disabled and LIFT card at these locations. At Saar’s you will be able to:

• Reload new, redesigned Adult, Senior, Disabled, or LIFT cards at the customer service counter. You will need a new card
• Buy a new adult card at the customer service counter
• Retail stores do not sell Senior, Disabled, or LIFT card. Find out where to get one here
   

It’s about more than just more stores

In 2022, we’re building the foundation for an expanded ORCA retail network. How?

By adding compatibility with retail gift card networks, which are available almost everywhere and easy for even small retailers to adopt and manage, we can rapidly expand the number of locations that offer ORCA cards. This allows us to bring more ORCA retailers to your community and open the program to more locally owned businesses.

Our goal is to make ORCA more accessible and provide the convenience of hundreds of additional locations to load your card with cash, debit, or credit in your community.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, we’ll continue to announce new retail partners as they become available. You can check www.myorca.com/where-to-buy for the latest information on stores near you.

We’re here to help

We realize there’s a lot of changes coming soon. We’re here to help you get through it. In fact, in the coming months, look for an ORCA event at a retailer near you, where our team will be answering questions and giving hands-on assistance.

If you have a reduced fare card, including RRFP senior, RRFP disabled, Youth or Lift, you may be eligible for a free, new card. Our team can help you get a free replacement card at an in-person retailer event, or at one of our customer service locations.

Still have questions?

Go online to myORCA.com, hop on the myORCA mobile app, connect with @TheORCACard on social media, or give us a call at 888-988-ORCA (6722) 8:00am – 5:00pm PST, Monday through Friday.