Different railcards and return ticket

[Halsebee]

If a 25 year old buys a return ticket, valid for a month, using a 16-25 railcard, just before their 26th birthday, and the 16-25 railcard expires on or just after their 26th birthday, and they buy a 26-30 railcard then, would the return ticket be valid with the 26-30 card? If not, is there a workaround?

 

[jfollows]

No, the ticket states the type of railcard used when purchased.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

A workaround might be to just buy 2 x singles. One, each way.

 

[lehovec]

Or go to the ticket office before your return journey, explain the situation and they should be able to 'excess' your return journey to show the currently valid Railcard.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Single leg pricing for the win

 

[transportphoto]

In reality, is this actually going to pose a problem?

Is this a hypothetical question, or a dilemma the OP is facing?

 

[jfollows]

There are plenty of cases documented in the Disputes & Prosecutions section for using the wrong type of railcard, even if the price is the same. Of course, there are even more cases not documented where it isn’t a problem, but it’s not a risk I’d personally be willing to take.

 

[Halsebee]

It's a potential issue identified in advance so I thought I'd try to find out the actual position prior to travel

In reality, is this actually going to pose a problem?

Is this a hypothetical question, or a dilemma the OP is facing?

 

[Haywain]

The obvious answer is to ensure that, prior to the 26th birthday, a 16-25 Railcard has been purchased that will cover the date of the return journey.

 

[Trainbike46]

There are plenty of cases documented in the Disputes & Prosecutions section for using the wrong type of railcard, even if the price is the same. Of course, there are even more cases not documented where it isn’t a problem, but it’s not a risk I’d personally be willing to take.

Is there? every example I can think of involves a situation where the passenger got more discount than they were actually entitled to. It would seem rather pointless for the railway to pursue a case where the correct fare was paid (even if in the wrong way). Obviously that doesn't mean it never happens!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Dec 2025 ==

The obvious answer is to ensure that, prior to the 26th birthday, a 16-25 Railcard has been purchased that will cover the date of the return journey.

Agreed this is probably the best solution.

 

[AlterEgo]

The obvious answer is to ensure that, prior to the 26th birthday, a 16-25 Railcard has been purchased that will cover the date of the return journey.

Especially wise given the 16-25 has the July and August minimum fare easement.

 

[transportphoto]

There are plenty of cases documented in the Disputes & Prosecutions section for using the wrong type of railcard, even if the price is the same. Of course, there are even more cases not documented where it isn’t a problem, but it’s not a risk I’d personally be willing to take.

Is there? I’d be inclined to agree with @Trainbike46 here:

Is there? every example I can think of involves a situation where the passenger got more discount than they were actually entitled to. It would seem rather pointless for the railway to pursue a case where the correct fare was paid (even if in the wrong way). Obviously that doesn't mean it never happens!

A 16-25 railcard gives ever so slightly more discount in July and August (lack of minimum fare) but otherwise is pretty much exactly the same. I can’t see any ticket inspector prying an eye over a 16-25 ticket being used with a 26-30 railcard.

 

[AlterEgo]

A 16-25 railcard gives ever so slightly more discount in July and August (lack of minimum fare) but otherwise is pretty much exactly the same. I can’t see any ticket inspector prying an eye over a 16-25 ticket being used with a 26-30 railcard.

Unless it was July or August and the minimum fare was being circumvented.

 

[transportphoto]

Unless it was July or August and the minimum fare was being circumvented.

Agreed - very niche scenario though unlikely relevant to an off peak/anytime return.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

The obvious answer is to ensure that, prior to the 26th birthday, a 16-25 Railcard has been purchased that will cover the date of the return journey.

Although I can foresee a similar problem emerging 12 months down the line, without 'buy before your birthday' available as a solution.

 

[Haywain]

Although I can foresee a similar problem emerging 12 months down the line, without 'buy before your birthday' available as a solution.

In such a case the traveller will qualify for, and be able to purchase, a 26-30 railcard. So, again, there is no real problem.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

In such a case the traveller will qualify for, and be able to purchase, a 26-30 railcard. So, again, there is no real problem.

Are you familiar with the song 'There's a hole in my bucket'?

The same problem of a ticket valid outward with one Railcard but the passenger no longer being entitled to that Railcard for the return journey will apply again.

 

[AlterEgo]

Are you familiar with the song 'There's a hole in my bucket'?

The same problem of a ticket valid outward with one Railcard but the passenger no longer being entitled to that Railcard for the return journey will apply again.

No, you just purchase a 26-30 railcard before you set off.

 

[yorkie]

Single leg pricing for the win

Genuine single leg pricing, i.e. halving the affordably priced return tickets, and not abolishing (Super) Off Peak tickets, or putting up the cost of a return journey, would absolutely be a win for passengers.

However, I don't believe that is currently planned to happen.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Dec 2025 ==

Or go to the ticket office before your return journey, explain the situation and they should be able to 'excess' your return journey to show the currently valid Railcard.

Good luck with that. I never had any success trying to get a ticket discounted with one type of Railcard zero-excessed into a ticket with a different type of Railcard.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Dec 2025 ==

Is there? I’d be inclined to agree with @Trainbike46 here:


A 16-25 railcard gives ever so slightly more discount in July and August (lack of minimum fare) but otherwise is pretty much exactly the same. I can’t see any ticket inspector prying an eye over a 16-25 ticket being used with a 26-30 railcard.

I agree, except there are perhaps a very small number who might.

There was at least one particularly strict individual (most notably strict with railway staff / PRIV holders) on LNER who I could imagine being unhappy about this, however I've not heard any recent stories involving him, so maybe he has mellowed.

I could imagine some revenue protection officers, particularly for companies like GTR, some of whom show no mercy and no sign of applying common sense, also not liking it.

The rail industry really should have policies in place to deal with issues like this, and ensure that overzealous staff don't feel emboldened to act inappropriately in such situations.

Without knowing the exact journey, it's difficult to give the best possible advice.

 

[Watershed]

I could imagine some revenue protection officers, particularly for companies like GTR, some of whom show no mercy and no sign of applying common sense, also not liking it.

Indeed I recently heard someone being Penalty Fared on a GTR service for using a Senior Railcard discounted ticket when they 'only' had a Freedom Pass. Obviously not quite the same but it's the kind of thing I'd expect them to show discretion for as it's an understandable mistake to make if you don't travel often by train.

 

[30907]

Indeed I recently heard someone being Penalty Fared on a GTR service for using a Senior Railcard discounted ticket when they 'only' had a Freedom Pass. Obviously not quite the same but it's the kind of thing I'd expect them to show discretion for as it's an understandable mistake to make if you don't travel often by train.

Was the Freedom Pass valid for their journey?

 

[fandroid]

There has been at least one case that has come to our notice where someone was given a Penalty Fare for applying the wrong Railcard to a ticket, when they held a valid (different) Railcard which gave exactly the same discount as the one inadvertantly applied.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@Halsebee. What was the actual journey being contemplated?

 

[lehovec]

Good luck with that. I never had any success trying to get a ticket discounted with one type of Railcard zero-excessed into a ticket with a different type of Railcard.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Dec 2025 ==

I have done this on numerous occasions and so have my colleagues. Must be just my location then.

 

[sot]

I was going to ask if it was possible but @yorkie beat me to it.

I requested the other day about excessing the discount to another discount - no dice.

 

[lehovec]

As long as it is the same amount of discount YNG to TST or SNR... it is not a problem to do.

 

[sot]

I don't recall the tis in use but unless the worker didn't do it right at all it would not allow the selection of relevant id

This was a gtr station.

 

[Halsebee]

@Halsebee. What was the actual journey being contemplated?

Paddington to Taunton return.
The 16-25 railcard is a 3 year one which expires just after 26th birthday, and the return journey straddles the expiry date.
Thanks for all the comments, perhaps the most pragmatic solution is to buy a 26-30 railcard on 26th birthday which would solve the problem I suppose.
On another note, can you buy a16-25 railcard the day before 26th birthday and have it valid till day before 27th birthday? I seem to remember that was allowed for Family Railcards, I.e. buying the day before a child's 16th birthday?
And are there 3 year 26-30 railcards available?

 

[blimmo]

On another note, can you buy a16-25 railcard the day before 26th birthday and have it valid till day before 27th birthday?

Yes

And are there 3 year 26-30 railcards available?

No

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Dec 2025 ==

Thanks for all the comments, perhaps the most pragmatic solution is to buy a 26-30 railcard on 26th birthday which would solve the problem I suppose.

I would buy a 16-25 the day before your 26th birthday rather than a 26-30 the day after since the 16-25 is very slightly better and can be got on plastic rather than being digital only.

 

[transportphoto]

As long as it is the same amount of discount YNG to TST or SNR... it is not a problem to do.

Ticket issuing system dependant (and likely how each TOC has restricted such.)