using Network Railcard discounted tickets as a Gold Card holder

[sleepymonster]

I have a Gold Card, but sometimes travel using tickets with a Network Railcard discount applied. Ticket inspectors (mostly on Southeastern) haven't had a problem with this so far. Have I just been lucky, or is this officially ok?

(The reason I do this is that I've struggled to find Gold Card discount options on some ticket machines, and on other occasions I've wanted to use the return half of a Network Railcard discounted ticket bought by my partner. As far as I'm aware, Gold Card discounts are at least as generous as Network Railcard discounts, so the train company isn't losing out.)

Thanks.

 

[bb21]

It is not officially permitted, however staff do usually apply discretion in the circumstances you describe. Beware though that you are still subject to be charged a Penalty Fare if you travel with the incorrect type of discount, and you will have no ground for appeal.

Travelling with the return half of your partner's ticket is strictly forbidden. Railway tickets are not transferable. If caught you would be liable for a Penalty Fare or, worse, prosecution.

 

[sleepymonster]

Thanks for the advice - I thought it was just season tickets that were non-transferable.

 

[BillyBoy]

The Gold Card discount option has recently disappeared from the ticket machines at Waterloo. I haven't bothered emailing South West Trains to ask why as it took them 3 months to reply to my last email .

 

[theageofthetra]

Re the goldcard discount not being on certain ticket machines, have you tried tweeting the TOC concerned, I find that normally gets a prompt response.

 

[BillyBoy]

Thank you for the advice, I must get myself onto Twitter - I've put it off for far too long!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Fourteen minutes!

@billyboy this option is still there, please go to the next page & it's under "network Gold card"

. . . I obviously wasn't looking hard enough!

 

[island]

Technically the ticket isn't valid, but I would be surprised if anyone made an issue of it as NSE is a "worse" discount than GOLDC. The other way around might be more problematic.

 

[jon0844]

Yes, as the latter could avoid the £13 minimum fare. Otherwise they're pretty much identical.

 

[paul1609]

Some High Speed Supplement fares allow a Network card discount but not a Gold Card one on Southeasterns TVMs.

 

[sleepymonster]

Thanks. Think I might have run into this too - plus also not being able to find a Gold Card option on (I think) East Midlands Trains ticket vending machine at St Pancras.

 

[jon0844]

When I paid an excess on HS1 it was done as NSE and not GOLDC. Likewise on Heathrow Connect when getting the ticket on the train (having asked before boarding). Some staff don't see a difference, but try explaining to some RPIs!

 

[yorkie]

(The reason I do this is that I've struggled to find Gold Card discount options on some ticket machines,....

Can you ask the relevant TOCs (Southeastern, and any others you use where this situation applies) if they want you to buy from the TVM with incorrect discount or if they want you to board without a ticket (where the ticket office is closed)?

Let us know their reply please!

 

[cjohnson]

Fourteen minutes!

@billyboy this option is still there, please go to the next page & it's under "network Gold card"

. . . I obviously wasn't looking hard enough!

It is baffling why, especially at London suburban stations, the Gold Card option is tucked away on the second page when the Devon & Cornwall Railcard is on the main screen :roll:

 

[Tetchytyke]

not being able to find a Gold Card option on (I think) East Midlands Trains ticket vending machine at St Pancras.

Yeah, the machines on the side of the ticket office opposite Patisserie Valerie don't have the Gold Card discount option listed anywhere. I keep meaning to ask EMT about it, but generally use the FCC ticket office anyway as they're better.

 

[sleepymonster]

Can you ask the relevant TOCs (Southeastern, and any others you use where this situation applies) if they want you to buy from the TVM with incorrect discount or if they want you to board without a ticket (where the ticket office is closed)?

Let us know their reply please!

Will do next time I run up against it. Mostly I travel at evening peak so ticket office is open, just very busy. Quickest option I've found for High Speed tickets is to use the dedicated Southeastern member of sales staff with a portable ticket machine by the Southeastern high speed platforms.