Ordering and managing ORCA cards (Business Accounts)

Do I need to replace all my account's blue ORCA cards with the black ORCA cards? 

No, all cards will work in the ORCA system. The only functionality that classic blue cards will not have is users will not be able to reload their cards at some retail stores.

If you have cardholders who use the retail network to purchase products, those users will either need new black ORCA cards or will need to visit a retailer that can load classic blue ORCA cards. Cardholders can use the Where to Buy map to learn more.

Classic blue card holders will still be able to load passes and funds to their cards on the myORCA.com website, or the myORCA app for Android and the myORCA app for Apple devices, and at vending machines and transit customer service locations across the Puget Sound Region. 

For more information about who needs a new card watch this short YouTube video: ORCA at Retail: Who needs a new card?

Can our Business order digital ORCA cards? Credit or debit cards for Tap to Pay?

Unfortunately, the ORCA system does not support the ability to order digital ORCA cards in bulk. However:

• Your cardholders can convert their physical Business cards to digital cards if you enable the option. Sign up to enable for a Passport Business or Choice Business.
• Your cardholders can also convert a personal physical ORCA card to a digital card and contact you to have it linked to your account.

Since Tap to Pay using a credit or debit card requires a personal credit or debit card that cardholders can tap on ORCA readers—not formal ORCA cards—and usage of these cards cannot be limited for only transit trips, ORCA cannot support credit or debit card issuance.

Is there a fee for a logo? 

There is no fee for card logos on physical ORCA cards. Logos are not available on digital ORCA cards. 

How do I get my businesses' logo printed on the back of the ORCA cards we order? 

Send a high-quality logo file to your Business Leadagent, who will upload your logo to our Salesforce system so it can be applied to all future card orders. Please note you must reach out to your Leadagent if you want to order any cards without a logo present because this change must be applied manually. Once a logo exists in our system, you will not be able to change or remove a logo by yourself on myorca.com.

Can names be associated with our ORCA cards? 

Yes, there are two options users have if they want to assign names to a card:

• Nicknames – Cardholders with MyORCA accounts can set “Nicknames” for multiple cards to track who is using each card (a user could name a card “Mine” and another card “Mom” or “Dad”), and what its purpose is (a user could name a card “Personal” and another card “Work”).
• Participants – Business Administrators can keep track of who is using which Business card. Participants can be added individually, or in bulk to numerous cards, and list information like cardholder’s name, email, phone number, and which Group they are assigned to. Learn more about Participants and Groups by visiting the ORCA Resource Guide for Choice and Passport.

Can cards be associated to Groups?

Yes, once a card has a Participant, that Participant can be added to a Group. Groups can be used to track active and non-active users, or users that order similar products. These Groups can be used to order the same product for a large number of cards all at once. Learn more about Groups by visiting the ORCA Resource Guide for Choice and Passport.

What is the process for unlinking (“removing”) a card from the business account? For example, if a participant leaves the organization but wants to keep their ORCA card for personal use because they added funds, passes or products to it? 

You may remove a card from your account to allow the employee to keep the card for personal use. Removing a card will remove the Passport product, if applicable, and leave any E-purse balance or passes that have already been loaded, for example a monthly pass. You can find more guidance on this process by visiting the “FAQ and Troubleshooting” section of the ORCA Resource Guide for Choice and Passport.

Can I associate an employee-purchased ORCA card to a business account? 

Yes, an employee's existing card can be linked to a business account. The business may have load only access to the card, by default, but the permissions can be changed individualy and in bulk. If the employee loses the card, the employee will be responsible for contacting your Business to request a card lock or replacement. Depending on your permissions and the cardholder’s permissions, they may be able to initiate their own card lock, but they will not be able to replace their own card. Find more guidance about permissions by visiting the “Card Ownership & Access” section of the ORCA Resource Guide for Choice and Passport.

What is locking and unlocking an ORCA card? 

Locking the card temporarily restricts the card from being used until it is unlocked. Cards can be locked if they are lost, stolen, or broken with the “Lost” reason. For other reasons, like an employee has been terminated or left your organization, or a user’s ability to use a card has been revoked, Administrators can use the “Business Exclusive” locking reason.

Can business users restrict users from locking cards? From unlocking cards?

Cardholders cannot use the locking reason “Business Exclusive”; they can only use the “Lost” reason which can be reversed by either the Business Administrator or the cardholder. Regardless, cardholders are not able to use a Locking reason that restricts Administrators from taking actions. The biggest limitation preventing any user from locking a card is their permission level. Load Only cardholders cannot lock a card, but Full Access cardholders can.

Most Business Administrators have access to the “Business Exclusive” lock, which is more secure than using the “Lost” locking reason. Business Exclusive locks cannot be unlocked by cardholders. If you do not have this locking reason as an option when opening the “Lock Card” pop-up menu, contact your Business Leadagent.

Can Business users transfer funds? Can Business users restrict cardholders from transferring funds? 

Yes, most Business users can transfer E-purse funds between any of the cards on their accounts. If you do not see the option to transfer funds, contact your Business Leadagent.

Yes, cardholders are restricted from transferring any funds from a Business card to their personal card. However, some cardholders with Full Access may be able to transfer their E-purse balances to a Business-owned card on their account. If you notice any of your cardholders transferring E-purse funds off of a Business card, contact your Business Leadagent.

Can Business users replace and close cards? Can Business users restrict cardholders from replacing and closing cards? 

Yes, most Business users can replace and request to close any card they own. Note that selecting “Close card” actually generates a case which is sent to your Leadagent for approval. If you do not see these options, contact your Business Leadagent.

Yes, cardholders are restricted from replacing and requesting closures on any Business-issued card. Please note, this means that most Business cardholders will not have the option to submit a Close Card case on Business-owned ORCA cards. If you notice any of your cardholders able to perform these actions, contact your Business Leadagent.