SmartBenefits and SmartBenefit Vouchers FAQ
SmartBenefits
 What is the SmartBenefits personalized account service?
Who is eligible to have a SmartBenefits personalized account?
Can I access SmartBenefits at other VRE vendors?
How do I establish a SmartBenefits personalized account?
How do I use SmartBenefits at The Commuter Store?
How do I use Smart Benefits with CommuterDirect.com?
How can I obtain a SmarTrip card?
Is there any cost for me to participate in this service?
What happens if I do not use all of my allocated benefits in a given month?
How do I change my benefit allocation or cancel my SmartBenefits account?
What do I do if I wish to cancel my account and I have an unused balance?
What do I do if I find an error in my SmartBenefits, Commuter Store or CommuterDirect account?
SmartBenefit Vouchers
What are SmartBenefits Vouchers and how do I use them?
What is the SmartBenefits personalized account service?
The Commuter Store and CommuterDirect have worked with WMATA to make SmartBenefits (electronic employee transit benefits) available to VRE riders via a personalized transit account. With the personalized SmartBenefits account, VRE riders can access their transit benefits at an Arlington County Commuter Store or though a mail order account with CommuterDirect to purchase VRE tickets without having to use paper Metrocheks.
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Who is eligible to have a SmartBenefits personalized account?
In order to be eligible for a Commuter Store or CommuterDirect personalized account, VRE riders must:
- Work for an employer that participates in the WMATA SmartBenefits program,
- Have or be willing to get a registered SmarTrip card, and
- Purchase VRE tickets from an Arlington County based Commuter Store or be willing to establish a recurring mail order account with CommuterDirect
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Can I access SmartBenefits at other VRE vendors?
No, personalized accounts will only be available from an Arlington County Commuter Store (Crystal City, Rosslyn, Ballston and mobile Commuter Store) or by mail through CommuterDirect.
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How do I establish a SmartBenefits personalized account?
You can only register for a SmartBenefits personalized account if your employer has registered you in the WMATA SmartBenefits program. Once registered by your employer:
- Go to WMATA’s website
- Access the SmartBenefits web page through the SmartBenefits Quick Link
- Click on the “Van Pools & Transit Services ” link under the SmartBenefits menu bar at the top of the web page
- Select “Passenger Login” and set up a new account and register your SmarTrip card number with either the Commuter Store or CommuterDirect
- Select the amount of your monthly transit benefit that you want to allocate to this account. (If you register only a portion of your transit benefit to your personalized account, the remaining balance will be stored on your SmarTrip card but will not be usable towards your VRE ticket).
** DO NOT download SmartBenefits to your SmarTrip card if you assign all of your benefit to a personalized account.**
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How do I use SmartBenefits at The Commuter Store?
You will be able to go into an Arlington County Commuter Store and request to purchase VRE tickets with funds from your personalized account, almost like using a gift card at a name brand store. Customers must present the SmarTrip card that is enrolled with The Commuter Store account and a valid photo ID.
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How do I use Smart Benefits with CommuterDirect.com?
You will be able to purchase tickets by mail online at www.CommuterDirect.com. You will have to first set up a CommuterDirect account. CommuterDirect will then automatically apply your transit benefits to your CommuterDirect account. Once you identify your ticket needs, either through a recurring order or a one time order, your tickets will be mailed via 2-day courier service. Recurring orders will be mailed on the first business day after the 22nd of each month.
If your transit benefit does not cover the full purchase price of your order, CommuterDirect will charge the remaining balance to the credit card you have on file with your account.
NOTE: The standard mailing fee will be waived and paid for by VRE for those ordering VRE tickets using SmartBenefits. However, all applicable fees will apply for tickets received via certified mail.
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How can I obtain a SmarTrip card?
SmarTrip cards can be purchased several ways.
- Online at www.metroopensdoors.com
- At vending machines at all Metrorail stations that have a Metro-operated parking facility
- At Metro sales offices at the Metro Center and Pentagon Metrorail stations and Metro headquarters at 600 5th St. NW
- At Arlington County Commuter Stores
The price of the card may include an initial value loaded on the card that cannot be applied to The Commuter Store or CommuterDirect accounts.
SmarTrip cards must be registered in the name of the person registering for transit benefits. This can be done online at www.metroopensdoors.com or by calling toll free 888-762-7874.
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Is there any cost for me to participate in this service?
If you do not already have a SmarTrip card, you are responsible for the cost of the card. You can also use an existing card in your possession as long as it’s registered. The shipping and handling fee normally charged by CommuterDirect for standard mail order tickets will be waived for VRE riders using SmartBenefits. However, all applicable fees will apply for tickets received via certified mail.
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What happens if I do not use all of my allocated benefits in a given month?
Benefits allocated to The Commuter Store or CommuterDirect will remain in your account for up to 3 months. Any benefits that are not claimed within a 3-month period will be forfeited. The oldest remaining account value is always used first for any sale.
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How do I change my benefit allocation or cancel my SmartBenefits account?
You can change the amount of your transit benefit allocation to your SmartBenefits account at any time online at www.metroopensdoors.com with the account identification and pin number established when you first registered. If you reduce your allocation to $0, your account will simply no longer be funded. If you change employers, your previous employer will drop you from the SmartBenefits program, discontinuing additional funding to your account. If you are registered with CommuterDirect for a recurring mail order, you must also go to www.CommuterDirect.com and cancel or change your account status. Changes to personalized accounts must be made before the 15th of each month for the next month’s benefits.
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What do I do if I wish to cancel my account and I have an unused balance?
Transit benefits cannot be refunded once they have been placed into a Commuter Store or CommuterDirect personalized account. If you choose to cancel your account and there is a balance, you can exchange the remaining benefit for other transit tickets.
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What do I do if I find an error in my SmartBenefits, Commuter Store or CommuterDirect account?
You can access your SmartBenefits account records through WMATA’s SmartBenefits web page to verify that transit benefits have been allocated as directed to either the Commuter Store or CommuterDirect. You should contact your employer if there is a discrepancy in the amount of the transit benefits allocated from your employer to WMATA.
You can also get an account history from The Commuter Store or CommuterDirect that contains the date, time and product purchased from your account for up to the previous six months.
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What are SmartBenefits Vouchers and how do I use them?
SmartBenefit Vouchers, which are replacing the paper Metrocheks, are similar to the Metrocheks except that the vouchers can not be used for fare on Metro. It is available in $1, $10 & $30 denominations.
To use this transit benefit, you would simply go to a vendor and exchange them for a ticket just like you would have done if you had had Metrocheks.
For additional information, read about the change in our December 17th VRE Update.
(Please Note: After the December 17th article was published, VRE chose to extend the deadline for accepting Metrocheks to March 20th, instead of the previously published March 6th.)
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