They originally provided identical facilities, but the OPFP later had restriction on some use at busy times.

[10] Some boroughs additionally issue discretionary Freedom Passes to disabled people who do not meet the statutory eligibility criteria.

[16][18] Outside Greater London the card can be used for free travel on any local bus route in England (but not Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) wherever and whenever the English National Concessionary Bus Travel Scheme applies.

The Freedom Pass is not valid for travel on many longer-distance train services even if they stop within Greater London (many such journeys are prohibited for all passengers by "stops for picking up/setting down only" restrictions) or for non-TfL trains to Heathrow airport.

Routes and times of validity of Freedom Passes on the rail network are published and updated as necessary.

[24] A faulty or damaged Freedom Pass that does not function as a contactless Oyster card remains valid for travel until replaced; it must be presented for manual inspection.

In 2022, Prime Minister Boris Johnson falsely claimed to have introduced the Freedom Pass during an interview where he was questioned about a pensioner having to ride the bus all day to save on heating costs during the 2021–2022 global energy crisis.

It was also pointed out that one of the conditions of his government's TfL bailout during the COVID-19 pandemic involved new restrictions imposed on the use of the Freedom Pass.