Thanks everyone for your comments.
The text on my three year Disabled Railcard started wearing off after a year, I always keep it in my wallet
My previous one still shows the text luckily, but it is quite grimy I guess. Various markings all over it.
I've never had a physical Railcard, but I appreciate not being able to lose my digital one.
With the free Railcard you're to only using the official Railcards app run by Rail Delivery Group versus the choice of various third party retailers.
I used the official app for my first Railcard without any issues. And typically when there are widespread issues with the official app, it results in a brief being sent to frontline staff so they're aware of the problem. This doesn't seem to happen for third party apps.
Personally, I'd just go for digital. It's more likely I'll have a charged phone than a physical card, and I'm rather prone to losing things.
That's helpful to know re the frontline briefs. The offer is for the official railcard app anyway, not a third party retailer
I think you’re right about the Railcard app needing to be connected to the internet every few days to ensure the railcard can be shown to an inspector when there’s no signal. I’ve just got into the routine of quickly opening the app in the morning at home on any day I’m travelling, to ensure that there’s no technical problem, and as a check that the railcard is still in date. Never had a problem showing the railcard on a train.
That's a good idea - I always tried to remember to check I have the physical card, so this could be a similar check
I'd say it depends on whether you always take your wallet whenever you go anywhere. Quite a lot of young people don't these days, just taking their phone. If you don't there's probably more chance of you not having it by accident if you choose physical. If you do, physical is probably the better choice.
I generally try to have it with me, but just sometimes notice - oh I forgot, at least I'm not travelling - but worry it could occur a time when I am travelling lol
I am a big fan of physical Railcards and will rely on them so for as long as they're available. I keep it in my wallet, which I wouldn't leave home without as it has my keys in it. So there's no chance of me forgetting my Railcard.
By contrast, my phone could run out of battery if I'm not carrying a battery bank because I want to travel light, overheat (e.g. during the recent hot weather it started running slowly), or simply freeze (I've experienced lockscreen bugs with a recent system update). And this is on a flagship phone less than a year old.
If the industry starts making Digital Railcards available in eTicket or wallet format, rather than imposing all sorts of limitations on them as is currently the case, then I would be more open to switching. As it stands, I have no desire to risk a Penalty Fare (or worse) based on an app I have no control over.
Good point re battery - though I rarely 'travel light' and try to always have a charger, and a battery bank.
Regarding alternative formats - I 100% agree. Being able to access the card in Apple Wallet would make me much less concerned. Additionally, it would be good if Railcard had a laptop app as well - so for example say you were travelling somewhere but your phone ran out of battery, you could just bring it up on an alternative device.
I don't really understand why they can't issue railcards as PDFs like they do for tickets. That would certainly also be easier as you could carry a print off as well as having it digitally.
A simple interim step would be to just allow people to have both physical and digital (without requiring the purchase of two railcards). Ultimately, it has a photo on - so would not necessarily lead to fraudulent use etc. (though people do find loopholes in everything!)
