FAQ

You can use Automatic Add Value Service (AAVS) for all types of Octopus.

Your AAVS-activated Octopus will be automatically reloaded under the following conditions:

1. The payment amount exceeds the sum of the remaining value and the maximum convenience limit*; or
2. The Octopus balance is negative or zero, and you make another payment.

Each Octopus can be automatically reloaded only once per day. The AAVS reload transaction(s) of HK$150, HK$250, HK$500 or HK$1,000 will be shown in your credit card statement.

You may also add value to your Octopus with Octopus Wallet, please refer to the FAQ for details. Or you may add value to your Octopus with cash, up to HK$3,000 at designated Octopus service providers, such as convenience stores and supermarket.

*For details, please refer to Schedule of Fees and Guidelines

AAVS can be linked with all types of Octopus, including Mobile Octopus.

You must have an account with the ICBC app or CCBA bank app, enabling you to apply for AAVS through the app. Moreover, please make sure your handset supports NFC, and you have the Octopus App installed before applying. Once the application is approved, you can activate the AAVS.

To apply for AAVS, you must be aged 18 or above and have a designated credit card issued by a participating financial institution.

If your AAVS application through another channel has not been processed, your application for Instant AAVS application will be processed first.

Once you have successfully applied for Instant AAVS via the bank app, and activated AAVS through Octopus App, the Instant AAVS will be effective immediately. This means the auto reload amount will be deposited to your Octopus whenever you do not have enough balance for making Octopus payments.

You can link up AAVS to a maximum of five Octopus for yourself with your selected credit card issued by different financial institutions.

If you are a credit card holder of below participating financial institutions*, you can link AAVS to more than one (to a maximum of five) Octopus for yourself with this credit card.

You can also link a AAVS to an additional three Octopus for your family members or friends, providing they are at least 12 years old.

Hence, you can have a maximum of eight AAVS-linked accounts: five for yourself and three for your family members or friends.

*Participating financial institutions:

• BOC Credit Card (to a maximum of three Octopus)
• CCB (Asia) Credit Card (to a maximum of three Octopus)
• Dah Sing Bank (to a maximum of five Octopus)
• Hang Seng Bank (to a maximum of three Octopus)
• HSBC (to a maximum of three Octopus)

Not by using your BOC Credit Card, which only allows you to obtain AAVS for three Octopus at most. However, you can apply for AAVS for a 4th or 5th Octopus by using other financial institutions.

You have likely seen an error message in the bank app during the application process. Please check with your bank regarding the reason for the application being rejected.

There are two possible reasons.

1. The application has not yet been approved by the financial institution. A notification letter with instructions for activation will be issued upon approval of your AAVS application.
2. You have not activated AAVS for the Octopus yet. If you have received the notification letter, please click here and follow the suggested activation methods for different types of Octopus to activate your AAVS.

There can be several reasons:

1. The application form is not properly filled out, or the financial institution has rejected the application. Please enquire at the financial institution or contact us.
2. Some financial institutions may require that the primary credit cardholder also holds an AAVS account at the same bank.

Note: If the AAVS application was made through a supplementary credit card, please enquire with the financial institution for the specific terms and conditions.

If an instruction is received from the financial institution that the AAVS transaction cannot be carried out, or autopay is not allowed from the designated account, your Octopus linked with AAVS will be suspended from use. The outstanding amount should then be paid immediately at any MTR Customer Service Centre. MTR staff will reactivate the Octopus after the outstanding amount has been paid.

The transfer of an authorised debit account from one financial institution to another can be done without cancelling the AAVS. Simply complete and submit an application form to the newly designated financial institution. There is a handling fee of HK$20 for switching financial institution. The handling fee will be deducted by the newly designated financial institution once the application is approved.

Once you register your Octopus for AAVS in the Octopus App, you can cancel the AAVS function directly within the Octopus App. Please note that if your Octopus is not a personalised Octopus, there will be no Lost Octopus Reporting Service after cancellation. If you need further assistance, you can call the Octopus Customer Service Hotline at 2266 2222. You may continue to use the Octopus normally after AAVS cancellation.

Note: Cancellation of AAVS must be made by the Octopus user, not the credit card holder.

Cancelling AAVS is free of charge. A HK$20 handling fee will be charged only if you re-apply for AAVS. You may continue to use the Octopus normally after cancellation.

You (principal credit cardholder) or your mom (Octopus Holder) need to register the Octopus for AAVS in the Octopus App, and cancel the AAVS function directly within the Octopus App. If you need further assistance, you can call the Octopus Customer Service Hotline at 2266 2222.

You can authorise a third party to complete the cancellation. Please contact us for arrangement.

The student must be aged between 12 and 25 for you to apply for a Personalised Octopus with student status through schools or at an MTR Customer Service Centre at designated stations. You can apply for AAVS for the Personalised Octopus with student status through a participating financial institution.

Note: If the applicant is below the age of 18, the application must be made by a parent or guardian.

You can click here to obtain the Automatic Add Value Agreement.

You can contact your bank or credit card issuing company to change the auto-reload amount if the desired auto reload option is currently offered. Upon approval of your application, the bank or credit card issuing company will then issue a notification letter, which you can use to activate the change at any MTR Customer Service Centre, or use compatible Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled mobile device to activate the change of automatic add value amount in the Octopus App. Please click here for details.

Click here to check the auto-reload amount options available from participating bank or credit card issuing companies.

If you are a holder of BOC, China Construction Bank (Asia), Hang Seng or HSBC Bank Credit Card, you can link up AAVS to a maximum of three Octopus for yourself with your selected credit card. If you are a credit card holder of Dah Sing Bank, you can link up AAVS to a maximum of five Octopus for yourself with your selected credit card. Alternatively, you can maximum link up AAVS to five Octopus for yourself with different credit card issued by different financial institutions. Please check the available auto-reload option with participating financial institutions before applying for AAVS.

If you are currently using AAVS on your Octopus and would like to apply for AAVS to be linked to another Octopus, there will be no fee for such application.

Note: This applies only if no prior application for AAVS has been made on the Octopus.

There is a handling fee of HK$20 for reactivation of AAVS following suspension or cancellation. Once you become an AAVS account holder, there will be no fee for linking AAVS to the subsequent Octopus.

Note: Applications are free of charge only if no prior application for AAVS has been made on the Octopus.

The service is free for first-time applicants. There is a handling fee of HK$20 for switching financial institution or service re-activation. The handling fee will be deducted from the account by the newly designated financial institution.

You can apply to upgrade your AAVS auto-reload amount to HK$500 or HK$1,000 with a participating financial institution. Upon approval of your application, the financial institution will then issue a notification letter, please follow the suggested methods to activate the service. Please click here for more details of the activation methods.

If you are a cardholder of CCB(Asia) Octopus Credit Card, Citi Octopus Credit Card, Citi Octopus on iPhone or Apple Watch, or an existing AAVS user linking to a AEON Credit Service, BOC Credit Card, China Construction Bank (Asia), Citibank, you can now upgrade your auto-reload amount to HK$500 instantly via the Octopus App, or an existing AAVS user linking to a Dah Sing Bank, DBS Bank or Fubon Bank, you can now upgrade your auto-reload amount to HK$500 or HK$1,000 instantly via the Octopus App.

Simply fill in your partial identification document number (last 4 digits) and date of birth and you will receive a notification SMS for your application. You can immediately activate the new auto-reload amount via Octopus App*.

*Using Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled Android mobile device or iPhone 8 or newer with iOS 16.2 or above.

Applying for a change in the auto-reload amount at the same financial institution is free of charge. If your bank or credit card issuing company offers the HK$500 or HK$1,000 auto-reload option, simply contact them directly for the upgrade application.

Yes, you can change the authorised debit account from one financial institution to another without cancelling the AAVS. Simply submit an application to the newly designated financial institution offering the HK$500 or HK1,000 auto-reload option. There is a handling fee of HK$20 for switching financial institutions. The handling fee will be deducted by the newly designated financial institution once the application is approved.

Yes, you can apply for the upgrade to HK$500 or HK$1,000 with the same financial institution if the auto-reload amount option is offered. There is a handling fee of HK$20 for service re-activation. The handling fee will be deducted by the financial institution once the application is approved.

If you apply through online/ phone/ fax/ mail, the financial institution will issue a notification letter with instructions to activate the new AAVS auto-reload amount once it is approved. You should activate it within 30 days from the issue date of the letter; the new auto-reload amount will take effect once you have activated the service. If you fail to activate it within the specific time frame, it will be treated as a cancellation of your application, and the original auto add value amount of your Octopus will remain unchanged. Any handling fees incurred will not be refunded.

If you apply through the Octopus App, you will receive a notification SMS and you can immediately activate the new auto-reload amount.

Yes, you can still use your existing AAVS while your application is being processed. The new auto-reload amount will take effect once you complete the activation procedure after receiving approval from the relevant financial institution.

You can apply to upgrade AAVS auto-reload amount via the Octopus App directly if you are an existing AAVS customer from the participating financial institution.

Click here to check if your financial institution supports this service.