The MTA will pay you to lose your Metrocard

I lose my unlimited MetroCard whenever I am about to skip town.

The MTA pays to do it.

The benefit of unlimited cards are that you are buying bulk, so it costs less per ride than if you had purchased rides individually.

But when you go out of town for a week or two, it's like paying for an all-you-can-eat dinner and then not shoveling grub into your gob like a competitive eater.

My spirit animal cries whenever you throw out leftovers.

If you didn't use up your MetroCard before heading on vacation, can you get some money back? Yes, but only this once twice.

The MTA will compensate you at a rate of $3.74/day if you report your MetroCard lost/stolen - no questions asked - twice per year.

"I'm sorry, good Sir. It looks like I've lost my MetroCard, again."

 
Only unlimited cards get the deal. The first refund is free and the second costs a $5 "admin" fee. You don't need a receipt but you do need the debt/credit card that was used to buy it. The MTA credits your account within a day.

The folks who do the refunding are around during working hours at 718 330-1234.

Outside of those hours, leave a detailed message. But don't expect a prompt response; a worker responded to my voice message two months later.

Happy travels.