Does Trainline Force You to Buy A Railcard from Them?

[Envoy]

I have just been trying to use Trainline for the first time to test it out for a local journey using their app on my phone.

I could not find the option to add my plastic Railcard (which I got for half price via Tesco Clubcard vouchers). When I click Railcard on the Trainline app, rather than being able to input the number off the Railcard I already have, it directs me to buy a digital Railcard from them - which I obviously don't want. So, I have now given up on Trainline. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[jon81uk]

Why use Trainline at all, they charge a booking fee.

Use any other retailer and you just select the railcard held on the first search screen, there is no place to add a number.

 

[AlterEgo]

I have just been trying to use Trainline for the first time to test it out for a local journey using their app on my phone.

I could not find the option to add my plastic Railcard (which I got for half price via Tesco Clubcard vouchers). When I click Railcard on the Trainline app, rather than being able to input the number off the Railcard I already have, it directs me to buy a digital Railcard from them - which I obviously don't want. So, I have now given up on Trainline. Am I doing something wrong?

Why are you trying to put in a railcard number? You just buy tickets using the discount on the front page.

 

[jfollows]

Even if you insist on using Trainline, there is no requirement to provide a railcard number or whatever. The requirement is to hold and present a valid railcard at time of travel.

I have just gone through the process of buying a ticket with a railcard discount although of course I didn’t buy a ticket in the end. You are misunderstanding the process, I suggest.

 

[skyhigh]

I have just been trying to use Trainline for the first time to test it out for a local journey using their app on my phone.

I could not find the option to add my plastic Railcard (which I got for half price via Tesco Clubcard vouchers). When I click Railcard on the Trainline app, rather than being able to input the number off the Railcard I already have, it directs me to buy a digital Railcard from them - which I obviously don't want. So, I have now given up on Trainline. Am I doing something wrong?

I can't really see how the Trainline app could be easier to use?

When you click on search, you are given the option to add a Railcard for each passenger.

Click the Railcard you hold, press done and search. That's it.

Pretty much identical to any other website?

 

[Edvid]

I think @Envoy is referring to the Railcards link in the Account tab; only Trainline-issued digital Railcards can be stored there, not those issued by third-parties.

Regardless this is completely separate from selecting a Railcard in the booking process, where (as already mentioned) you need only select the type of Railcard(s) you possess. It doesn't matter who the issuer is as long as they're accredited.

 

[MrJeeves]

I can't really see how the Trainline app could be easier to use?

When you click on search, you are given the option to add a Railcard for each passenger.

Click the Railcard you hold, press done and search. That's it.

Pretty much identical to any other website?

You'd be surprised how many people are confused by this concept on other retailers too.

 

[Envoy]

Many thanks everyone for your responses. Yes. I am aware that Trainline charge a booking fee and that I can get the same prices via the Scotrail website without incurring any fees. I am also aware that Trainline/Scotrail only come up with 1 split whilst other sites - including this forums' - can come up with multiple splits to reduce the price of tickets where possible. However, such sites can incur a higher commission fee where only one split gets a saving.

I gave up on the Trainline app but did manage to make a test ticket by using their website which clearly allows the input for the various Railcards.

The main reason for trying out Trainline was that in the event that I traveled abroad, it is easier to use than the sites run by the various national rail companies. For example, when I tried SNCF for Paris to Lyon, it only showed their trains and failed to show the Italian Frecciarossa high speed train using the same rails.

Likewise, between Barcelona and Madrid we have 4 competing companies with high speed trains. The official Spanish train company - Renfe - only shows their Ave trains and not the competition - which often have lower prices.
The screenshots below show Barcelona to Madrid on the same day. Image 1 is Renfe and image 2 is Trainline. Clearly Trainline is the winner for clarity and showing ALL the trains/prices on this route.