The Commuter Membership Program is designed for passengers that make multiple trips to Catalina Island over a 12-month period. The Commuter Membership Program offers the most significant discount available to the frequent traveler. Each purchase of a digital commuter book contains 10 one-way passes, good for one year from the date of purchase.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Your direct line to a special service agent trained to take commuter calls is 877.526.6688. You can also book online by selecting the member option at the time of booking.
The following restrictions are enforced to maintain the integrity of the Commuter Membership Program and to keep the commuter tickets as affordable as possible.
Para la versión en español haga clic aquí.
Qualifying for the Commuter Membership Program
To qualify to be part of the commuter program, round trip-travel on Catalina Express within the last three months is required. Please provide a valid reservation at the time of purchase at the ticket window in any Catalina Express terminal.
Purchasing Commuter Tickets
When you qualify for the Commuter Membership Program, you will have the opportunity to purchase 10 one-way tickets. Your digital commuter book is valid for one year from purchase date and is not refundable or transferable. You will be assigned a commuter member number at the time of purchase.
The tickets may be used by family members included on the account only. A family includes the purchaser, spouse and three dependents 20 years or younger and living in the same household. Those family members must be added to the membership at the time of purchase. Do not give your commuter membership number to any unauthorized person for their use or anyone not listed on the account. If an unauthorized person uses your commuter membership number, the remaining tickets will be marked as invalid and the account will be closed.
If you are purchasing a digital commuter book, the purchase must be completed at least fifteen minutes prior to any departure time at a Catalina Express ticket window.
Making a Reservation
Advance reservations are strongly recommended. To book a reservation using the Commuter Membership Program, you must have the required number of commuter tickets available in your membership account. Reservations can be made online or by calling the commuter reservation line at 877.526.6688.
Please have your commuter membership number ready to make a reservation. A credit card will not be required to secure your reservation. All other reservations require a credit card to be given as a guarantee.
To see how to book online, please review this step-by-step guide or the video below. If you have questions, please give us a call at 877.526.6688.
Commuters can modify or cancel a reservation online more than 48-hours prior to their travel time. To alter your reservation online, a link is provided in the confirmation email.
Less than 48-hours prior to the travel time, all modifications and cancellations to a reservation must be made by calling Catalina Express or visiting one of the ticket windows.
Reservations Cancellations
For commuters who miss their departure, they must notify Catalina Express within 24 hours after their scheduled travel time in order to receive credit for their commuter ticket. If Catalina Express does not receive a cancellation notification within 24 hours after the original travel time and the reservation is marked as a no-show, the commuter ticket will be marked as invalid and will not be eligible for a refund. A cancellation notification must be made to a Catalina Express reservation agent in our call center or ticket agent at any Catalina Express terminal.
Commuters will not be subject to service fees when modifying or cancelling a reservation.
You must be on board your sailing no later than five minutes before departure time. Standby passengers are taken at this time and your reservation will be marked as a no-show.
Valid Photo Identification
Photo Identification will be required at time of purchase of a digital commuter book. In addition, a Catalina Express employee reserves the right to check the photo identification of each person listed on the reservation at time of boarding or travel.
- Acceptable Photo Identification
- State identification (ID) card
- Driver license
- US passport or passport card
- US military card (front and back)
- Military dependent’s ID card (front and back)
- Permanent Resident Card
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Employment Authorization Document
- Foreign passport
- School ID Card (for those under the age of 18 years old)
City of Avalon Subsidy
Full-time, year-round residents of Catalina Island who are issued a Subsidy Card by the City of Avalon can receive a subsidy to lower their cost of commuter tickets. Contact the City of Avalon for card and present at the Catalina Express Avalon Office.
If you have any questions, please ask the ticket window supervisor or lead on duty.
Prices, schedules and terms subject to change with change without notice in conformance with California Public Utilities Commission Regulations.