Puzzling over metrocard combining unlimited with per-ride...? (New York, York: buses, station)

[Cida]

I didn't even know until a couple of months ago that it was even possible to have both pay-per-ride and an unlimited fare on a single metrocard, which seems like a really bad idea to me.

But how do you control what the machine takes? I used it, assuming it would take from the unlimited, but instead it sucked out per-ride money. At this point I'm not even sure if the unlimited portion has been triggered.

[mc33433]

It does NOT use the pay-per-ride until the unlimited fare(s) is(are) expired.

If you scroll down on this MTA FAQ and read the picture guide, you'll see this explained:
MTA/New York City Transit - How to Use MetroCard

[Cida]

That's odd. That doesn't seem to be what's happening to me.

The 7-day is not expired based on what the reader says. In fact, I can't even tell if it's started. But it sucked out the per-ride.

[mc33433]

Originally Posted by Cida

That's odd. That doesn't seem to be what's happening to me.

The 7-day is not expired based on what the reader says. In fact, I can't even tell if it's started. But it sucked out the per-ride.

Did you try swiping it at one of the station booth readers?

[mc33433]

Also I found this which backs up what I said as well:

MTA/New York City Transit - Fares and MetroCard
Important things to Know

• Time on your MetroCard will always be used first for paying your fare.
• Value on your MetroCard will become available for use only when all time runs out on your card. For example, if you have $7.00 in value remaining on your card and you decide to add a 7-day Unlimited Ride pass, the next time you use your card, it will activate the Unlimited rides, and the value will only become available to you when the 7-day time period expires. Note: On PATH, AirTrain and Express buses, a MetroCard with both time and value will deduct the value based portion of your card (as these services do not accept 7- and 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard).

[Bremsstrahlung]

That's awesome, I never knew that. Now I don't have to worry about long lines at the machines for my morning commutes on days that my unlimited expires.

[mc33433]

Originally Posted by Bremsstrahlung

That's awesome, I never knew that. Now I don't have to worry about long lines at the machines for my morning commutes on days that my unlimited expires.

Yeah, and it's also great if you want to take something like an Express bus, which wouldn't accept a card that had only an unlimited plan on it.