[appplication]

This is how a lot of transit cards work, unfortunately.

[consp]

Most of those (used to) work offline too, as long as there was money on the card. Not something an online payment system or app needs to deal with.

[chii]

if i recall, in singapore, the transit card costs are refundable.

I think that's the only place i've seen it refundable.

[jsmith99]

London oyster cards also offer a refund of your pay as you go balance.

[shiroiuma]

They're refundable in Japan too.