Chicago Transit Ventra Card Activation

If you are a Chicago Transit user, then you probably are aware of the Ventra migration currently underway at the CTA.

Here are the steps to convert from your Chicago Card to Ventra Card.  This post is ONLY applicable if your name is on the Ventra Card. If you bought the ventra card at a retailer, then you need to register your ventra card online.

Steps To Activate Your New Ventra Card

Steps until you receive the Ventra Card by post:

1. Look for an email from updatesATventrachicago.com usually with the subject "Convenience is coming".  Look in spam folders and alternative email accounts for this email.  
2. In the email, they provide you a temporary username and password.
3. Wait till your cards arrive by post.  It usually takes anywhere from 1 week to 2 weeks for the cards to arrive by post once you get the email.

Steps after you receive your Ventra Cards:

Now that you have received your Ventra Cards, follow the steps here.

1. Go to http://www.ventrachicago.com
2. Top right corner, there is a button "Account login".   Click that button.
3. Now check the email. Obtain your temporary username and password. Click "SignIn".
4. You will be asked to confirm/provide email address, date of bith, 4 digit access code, phone number etc.
5. Once you do step 4, you will be taken to your account.
6. Click "Manage Account".   Change your username to whatever you want and also change the temporary password to a password you can remember.

We have finished the online account work. We now have to use the phone to activate the cards. You can use any phone (does not have to be the registered phone on your account).

Steps to activate your Ventra Cards by phone:

You have to repeat the following procedure for each card you receive.  You cannot activate multiple cards with one phone call.

You will have to call the phone number on the front of the card.  It is 1-888-824-8802 for me.

1. Call the phone number on the front of your card. Try to make a wedge in the sticker so that you can read the full digits of your ventra card.
2. The automated system will say:  Press 1 for English.   Press 1.
3. Enter your full account number from the card. It should be 16 digits. Press # sign.
4. Enter your 4 digit access code (that you set up in the online account). Press # sign.
5. The automated system will say,  Press 1 if you want to convert your card into a prepaid debit card or 2 if you want to proceed with activation.   Press 2.
6. Automated system will say "Your card is active blah blah."

If you login to your online account and go to "Manage your account". The registered cards should all say "Active".   Currently the registered cards show $0 funds.  It takes at least an hour for the activation emails to be sent by Ventra.  At that time, you can go to your account and see that they have transferred funds to your card.