Forgotten railcard, and downloading a digital version

[alex397]

I have stupidly forgotten my railcard on my return trip from Canterbury West to St Pancras. Thankfully the person I was travelling with also has a Disabled Person’s Railcard, so my ticket was still valid when travelling with him. But he isn’t returning with me this evening, so I’ll probably have to buy a new single ticket for £43.

I’ve tried downloading a digital version of my railcard. It seems this should be possible, but the website is very clunky - every time I click ‘request new code’ in order to download the digital railcard, it just takes me back to the page showing my current and past railcards. So this might not be an option.

Is there a way I can pay a supplement, so just paying the difference between my ticket and the full price ticket? £43 will be quite a big hit for me at the moment. If it comes to it though, I’ll just have to pay it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Watershed]

To clarify, did you have a digital Railcard or a physical plastic one?

You can only ever hold a Railcard in one format, physical or digital. So if it's a physical Railcard you forgot, you won't be able to download a digital copy of it, as it doesn't exist.

If you have a digital Railcard, you should be able to download it onto an alternative device if the issue is that you've forgotten your phone.

There isn't a procedure to excess away a Railcard discount - the correct process is to refund the original ticket (if it's refundable) and then buy a new one. Alternatively, there is a "forgotten Railcard" policy which allows you to get a refund once a year if you have to buy a new ticket or pay a Penalty Fare.

I would suggest using that - i.e. buying a new ticket if necessary and then contacting Southeastern's customer services to claim a refund. To keep things simple I'd suggest buying the new ticket from SE (their website/app or one of their TVMs).

 

[MotCO]

Isn't there a system whereby if you have left your railcard at home, if you get stopped by an inspector and challenged, he may issue a penalty fare or refer you for investigation, but on receipt of these, if you can provide evidence that you have a card, you can get the charge overturned. You can only do this once a year. Check the terms and conditions of your card.

 

[alex397]

Thanks for these replies. It is much appreciated, and took away some stress for what is meant to be a fun day out with friends.

It’s a plastic railcard I have, so that explains why I couldn’t download a digital version. Though that doesn’t seem to be explained anywhere when I was trying to look (no doubt it might be written somewhere, maybe under terms and conditions).

I have played it safe and just bought a new single ticket for my return journey for £43, and have put in a request for a partial refund for the other ticket. I’m not sure I’ll receive anything though. Rather frustrating considering my original return ticket was around £28.70 and I’ve had to pay £43 on top of that, but it’s my own fault of course - I’m certainly not blaming anyone.

It was rather tempting to just travel back anyway, and not buy a new ticket. Southeastern very rarely check any tickets in the evening. I assume to avoid any aggravation from the inebriated. But I really wouldn’t want to risk it, and more importantly it would be morally unacceptable for me.

It would be good to be able to have both a plastic and a digital railcard though I appreciate that might be an issue with fare evasion. I prefer having a plastic one in case my phone dies, but a digital one is good in case I forget the physical railcard.

 

[Hadders]

It would be good to be able to have both a plastic and a digital railcard though I appreciate that might be an issue with fare evasion.

Unfortunately having both would lead to a huge issue with people giving one of the railcards to a friend or relative to use.

 

[Haywain]

I have played it safe and just bought a new single ticket for my return journey for £43, and have put in a request for a partial refund for the other ticket. I’m not sure I’ll receive anything though.

The forgotten railcard policy provides for a refund of the new ticket, not the original. This is referred to in the FAQs for each railcard at their online sites, such as the 16-25 site here: What happens if I don't have my Railcard with me and I have to buy a new ticket or pay a Penalty Fare? - 16-25 Railcard https://share.google/gsW92j0YZ7Lip34xj

 

[alex397]

The forgotten railcard policy provides for a refund of the new ticket, not the original.

I see, thanks for clarifying! I misinterpreted it as being for the original unused ticket.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Dec 2025 ==

Unfortunately having both would lead to a huge issue with people giving one of the railcards to a friend or relative to use.

That’s understandable really.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Dec 2025 ==

I’ve very impressed that Southeastern have refunded me some money from my unused return ticket which had the railcard on it, as well as also refunding me some money on the new single ticket I bought (the difference between the full price ticket and the discounted railcard ticket).

I think some people can find the possibility of making expensive mistakes off-putting when using the railway. However, with refunds made for a genuine mistake, even though it was all my own fault, is very reassuring and a great positive.
I’m also impressed with how quick the refunds have been approved.

 

[MotCO]

I see, thanks for clarifying! I misinterpreted it as being for the original unused ticket.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Dec 2025 ==


That’s understandable really.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Dec 2025 ==

I’ve very impressed that Southeastern have refunded me some money from my unused return ticket which had the railcard on it, as well as also refunding me some money on the new single ticket I bought (the difference between the full price ticket and the discounted railcard ticket).

I think some people can find the possibility of making expensive mistakes off-putting when using the railway. However, with refunds made for a genuine mistake, even though it was all my own fault, is very reassuring and a great positive.
I’m also impressed with how quick the refunds have been approved.

Glad you had a quick and satisfactory outcome.