Relay

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Relay is an international travel retail chain of convenience, news, and book stores commonly located in airports, train stations, and other transit hubs.

Paris, France
relay.com
Owned by Lagardère Travel Retail

About Relay

Relay is an international travel retail brand specializing in convenience, news, books, and travel essentials, primarily located in airports, train stations, metro stations, and other transit hubs. Operated by Lagardère Travel Retail and headquartered in Paris, France, Relay stores are designed for travelers who need quick access to magazines, newspapers, snacks, drinks, books, tech accessories, and last‑minute travel items. You’ll typically find Relay outlets past security in airport terminals or inside major rail stations throughout Europe and in many other countries worldwide.

A Relay charge on your bank or card statement usually means you (or someone with access to your card) made an in‑person purchase at one of their stores while traveling. Common transactions include buying drinks, snacks, phone chargers, headphones, books, travel accessories, SIM cards, or tobacco products (where permitted). Because these purchases are typically point‑of‑sale (POS) transactions in foreign currencies, you might see small differences due to exchange rates or bank fees. There are no built‑in subscriptions with Relay, but you may see separate, smaller charges for things like reusable bags or add‑ons purchased at the same time. In some cases, you might briefly see a pending pre‑authorization if the terminal verified your card before finalizing the sale.

If you don’t recognize a Relay charge, first consider any recent trips or transit through airports or train stations where you may have made a quick purchase, often shortly before boarding. Check your email or paper receipts from your travel days, as many Relay stores can provide detailed receipts on request if you contact the specific location. To resolve questions, you can reach Relay through the contact section at relay.com, or contact the airport or station’s customer service to obtain store contact details. If you still suspect an error or fraud after checking with travelers in your household and reviewing your receipts, contact your card issuer to dispute the transaction and request further investigation.

Bank Statement Variations

4 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Relay.

  1. RELAY
  2. Relay Mascot AU
  3. Relay SYD203 Mascot AUS
  4. Relay SYD909 Sydney AUS

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see a Relay charge from an airport or city I visited recently?

Relay primarily operates in airports, train stations, and other transit hubs, so a Relay charge usually corresponds to an in‑store purchase made while you were traveling. Common items include drinks, snacks, books, magazines, travel pillows, phone accessories, or SIM cards. The location shown in your banking app or statement often matches the city or airport where the store is located, which may differ from your home country if you were abroad.

Does Relay offer any subscriptions or recurring billing?

Relay is a retail chain and generally does not sell subscription services that result in automatic recurring card charges. Most transactions are one‑time, in‑store purchases. If you see multiple Relay charges over several days, it is more likely you made several separate purchases during your trip, or someone with access to your card used it repeatedly, rather than a subscription fee.

Why is the Relay amount on my statement different from what I remember paying?

If you shopped at Relay outside your home country, the final amount on your card statement may differ slightly from the price you saw at the register due to currency conversion and any foreign transaction fees charged by your bank. Some terminals may also offer Dynamic Currency Conversion (charging you directly in your home currency), which can affect the final amount. Review your receipt for the original currency and total, and compare it with your bank’s exchange rate and fees for that date.

How can I get a receipt or proof of purchase for a Relay transaction?

If you requested a paper receipt at the time of purchase, that is your primary proof of payment. If you no longer have it, note the transaction date, time (approximately), amount, and location (airport/station and terminal, if possible) and contact Relay via the contact form on relay.com or through the customer service of the airport or station where you made the purchase. They may be able to locate the transaction in their system and provide a duplicate receipt or confirmation, depending on local policies and data retention limits.

How do refunds or returns work for Relay purchases?

Refund and return policies at Relay can vary by country and by type of product, especially for items like food, drinks, magazines, or tobacco, which are often non‑returnable. For eligible items (for example, a defective accessory), you typically need to return to the same Relay store with your receipt and the product in its original condition. If an immediate return is not possible because you were traveling, contact Relay via relay.com with as many details as possible; they can advise whether a remote solution is available under local consumer rules. Any approved refund will generally appear back on the same card used for the purchase.

Why do I see a small or temporary pending Relay charge on my card?

In some cases, the payment terminal may place a temporary authorization hold on your card to verify that funds are available, especially for contactless or high‑traffic transit locations. This can appear as a pending charge that is slightly different from the final amount. Once the purchase is fully processed, the hold should drop off and be replaced by the finalized transaction, or disappear entirely if no sale was completed.

What should I do if I don’t recognize a Relay charge at all?

First, think back to any recent flights, train journeys, or station visits and ask anyone else who might have used your card (family members, travel companions) whether they made a purchase at Relay. If no one recognizes the transaction, take note of the date, amount, and location of the charge, then contact Relay via the contact section at relay.com or the relevant airport/station to see if they can identify the sale. If you still believe the charge is unauthorized, immediately contact your bank or card issuer, report it as potentially fraudulent, and follow their dispute and card‑replacement procedures.

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