can rail travel vouchers be used online

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• Rail ticketing and fares

Rail travel vouchers extended for passengers

Six-month extension to rail travel vouchers due to COVID-19.

• passengers given additional 6 months from the original expiry date to redeem rail travel vouchers
• expiry date extended as COVID-19 restrictions in England eased in recent days
• ensures thousands of rail passengers are not left out of pocket for following the government’s recent stay at home advice

Rail passengers with unused travel vouchers have been given extra time to redeem them to ensure they are not left out of pocket from COVID-19 related restrictions.

Thousands of passengers with rail travel vouchers, which have expired or are due to expire between 20 October 2020 and 30 June 2021 will get an additional 6 months after their original expiry date to redeem them to recognise the fact that most passengers had been unable to use them during the second and third national lockdowns.

The government’s roadmap out of lockdown has ensured significant parts of the indoor economy and further outdoor settings have reopened including non-essential retail, personal care and hospitality businesses in England and overnight stays permitted.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

This extension ensures that passengers with travel vouchers are not penalised for following government advice. By offering people more time to redeem their vouchers, we are ensuring that passengers will not be left out of pocket as they come back to the railways.

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive Officer of the Rail Delivery Group said:

This welcome extension means more people will be able to get out and about by train as restrictions ease. With rail companies boosting cleaning, adding services to support social distancing and the vast majority of people wearing face coverings, returning passengers can travel with confidence.

The government is still advising people to minimise their travel and work from home where they can. However, for those who are travelling, people are advised to walk and cycle where possible, and if travelling on public transport to plan their journeys in advance and travel at quiet times and on quieter routes.

When travelling, people should regularly sanitise their hands, wear a face covering unless exempt and keep their distance where possible.

To ensure people can travel with confidence on the railway, more than 1,000 weekday services have been added since mid-February 2021 from around 16,900 per day to almost 18,000 from today. An even more significant service uplift is planned for May.

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Yes, you can still redeem your travel vouchers. Here's how to do it.

The travel credit you got after the pandemic is probably about to expire. Actually, it may have already run out. 

A recent American Express survey says one in three travelers plan to burn their travel credits or points to pay for all or part of a trip. Why? They have a lot of travel credits to use. After the pandemic started, airlines, cruise lines and hotels doled out points and vouchers in such generous quantities that it put the CARES Act to shame.

"The airlines are sitting on more than $10 billion in unused travel credits, most of which expire in two years or less," says Lauren LaBar, a manager at Upaway , a travel concierge app.

But you don't have to lose your travel credit. Here are a few expert tips that will help you keep your credits and travel in the future. And there are ways of ensuring this never becomes a problem again.

Read your voucher now

If you've received a voucher, flight credit or travel certificate, find it and read it now. Cruise lines are particularly strict about their vouchers, called future cruise credits.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

“You have to know the value of your credit," says Annie Scrivanich , senior vice president at Cruise Specialists . "Also, know the terms and conditions like the expiration date and book-by date."

She warns that cruise lines aren't flexible in changing the terms, so she recommends rebooking sooner rather than later.

Track your credit

Many travel companies won't tell you if your credit is about to expire. Of course not. They want to keep your money. Don't let that happen to you, says Jeremy Ellis, head of customer care operations at Priceline .

"Keep track of your credit – and its expiration date – by flagging it in your email as soon as it hits your inbox and setting a reminder on your calendar to rebook before the deadline," he advises. 

The date by which you must use your ticket should be on the cancellation confirmation of the original ticket. Also, note that there's sometimes a difference between when you have to book by and when you have to travel by.

Go back to the place you booked

If you bought your tickets or hotel room through a third party, like an online travel agency, you'll want to check with them. An agency can help, but they also add a layer of complexity – and sometimes, more restrictions. You'll want to check with the place you booked to see about your options for redeeming the voucher or credit. 

If you're lucky, you bought your trip through a reputable travel advisor who can help you make the most of your credit (and possibly even extend it). If not, then you might have to deal with an automated system that is programmed to tell you "no" at every turn. 

Either way, you have to start here, say experts.

How to make sense of credits

It can be confusing. Consider what happened to Tom Harriman, an attorney based in Clarksville, Maryland. He had $750 in American Airlines flight credits that were about to expire. But he couldn't redeem the scrip online because of a technical glitch.

Harriman phoned American and asked for help. A representative came up with a creative solution: She used part of his flight credits to book two new tickets, and she modified the remaining balance into travel credits, which he could use for a future trip up to a year after the date of the re-issue. It turns out American has travel credits and flight credits, each with its own rules.

"This is all crazy," he added.

It is. Airline credits are particularly confusing. For example, Delta Air Lines offered eCredits, which operate a lot like American's vouchers. United has electronic travel certificates. Each one comes with a set of restrictions that you'll need to review.

Don't assume your airline will warn you before they expire. I've received lots of complaints on my nonprofit consumer advocacy site where passengers discovered only too late that time had run out on their vouchers. 

Call to redeem your credits

If you want to redeem your travel vouchers, get a real person on the phone. That's the advice of veteran financial advisor Michael Foguth .

"The best thing to do is call and communicate with a live person in the company’s customer service department," he says. "A live representative can typically give you tips and ideas on how to utilize all of your available credits. If your rewards are expired or close to it, the representative can often extend the expiration dates."

Note that some companies may charge you to talk to a human, so ask before you do anything.

With dangerous COVID variants still out there, and travel plans still in flux, it's more important than ever to track your travel vouchers. The ones you have could expire soon. And if you don't act now, they probably will.

Don't let vouchers become a problem again

Travel companies love to hand out expiring vouchers. They know only a small percentage of customers will redeem them, meaning that they get to keep your hard-earned money. Here's how to ensure that doesn't become a problem for you.

If they cancel, you deserve a full refund. In virtually every sector of the travel industry that's the rule. For airlines, it's a federal rule . In other cases, state law protects you from purchases made but not delivered.

You get what you negotiate. Experts say there's still lots of room for negotiation if you have to cancel or postpone your next trip. So if a company offers you a credit, be sure to request a refund. Phone reps often have some flexibility in granting a refund as a one-time exception. Always ask for your money back first.

There ought to be a law. Ideally, travel credit – like the money used to purchase it – should never expire. Consumer advocates such as Travelers United are pushing to ensure future airline vouchers don't expire. There's talk that the airlines might be on board with the idea.

Amtrak Guest Rewards: How to earn and redeem points with train travel

Whether you want to save money on expensive airline tickets or experience a different mode of travel transportation, you might consider taking the train . While the American train system pales in comparison to many European and Asian train systems, it can still offer a convenient alternative to flying.

If you do decide to take the train in the United States, Amtrak, which operates most of the medium- and long-haul passenger trains, offers its own loyalty program to reward frequent customers with free rides.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know to maximize the Amtrak Guest Rewards program, including how to earn points, elite status, lounge access and more.

What is Amtrak Guest Rewards?

Amtrak operates the vast majority of intercity passenger rail routes in the U.S. From short-haul to cross-country routes, you can take the train to over 500 destinations in 46 states and Canada. Amtrak's fleet includes a mix of trains with standard coach, business-class and first-class seating, private rooms, and auto trains .

If you want to earn rewards on your train rides, your only option is to credit your points to Amtrak's own Amtrak Guest Rewards program. You earn and redeem points primarily based on ticket price and seating class. Depending on how much you spend or how often you travel in premium cabins, you may be able to earn one of three elite status levels .

Amtrak doesn't use an award chart but instead prices its award tickets at a fixed valuation of about 2.67 cents per point.

Amtrak doesn't partner with any major transferable points programs , such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards . However, Amtrak Guest Rewards points can be transferred to and from Audience Rewards ShowPoints , which lets you earn on ticket purchases to Broadway and other live shows.

Most of the time, you'll earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points for riding trains or spending on cobranded credit cards, but there are multiple ways to earn and redeem within the program.

Related: Amtrak debuts new self-check-in option on Acela trains

How to earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points

There are various ways to earn Amtrak points, including ones that don't require you to leave your home. Amtrak points expire after 24 months of inactivity, so be sure to keep your points active with any qualifying activity discussed below.

Earn Amtrak points by taking the train

The most common way to earn Amtrak points is from your paid train tickets. Members earn 2 points per dollar spent, plus a 25% bonus for business-class travel and a 50% bonus for Acela First class. You can also earn a 500-point bonus for referring a friend to the Amtrak Guest Rewards program.

Amtrak routinely offers promotions for discounted tickets and extra points. There's often no limit to how many bonus points you can earn with these promotions, but registration is typically required.

Related: An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a few of the most important Amtrak operations centers

Earn Amtrak points through partners

Amtrak also has several retail and specialty partners , such as Teleflora, 1-800Flowers.com, NRG and Vinesse Wines, that let you earn bonus points.

Amtrak even operates an online shopping portal , which offers up to 14 points per dollar spent at select merchants .

You can also buy points , but we typically only recommend doing so if you're just short of the points you need for a specific award.

Transfer points to Amtrak

While Amtrak doesn't partner with any major programs with transferable currencies like Chase or Amex , you can transfer points to and from Audiece Rewards ShowPoints. These points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio in increments of 1,000 both ways.

Earn points with Amtrak credit cards

If you find yourself frequently traveling on Amtrak, you might want to consider applying for one of two cobranded credit cards issued by First National Bank of Omaha.

The no-annual-fee Amtrak Guest Rewards® Mastercard® offers 12,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first three billing cycles of account opening.

Meanwhile, the Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard® comes with a $99 annual fee but offers 40,000 points after you spend $2,000 in the first three billing cycles of account opening. This welcome bonus is valued at about $1,068, based on Amtrak's fixed award valuation of about 2.67 cents per point.

The information for the Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard and the Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Best credit cards for train travel

Here's a breakdown of each card's benefits:

The Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard includes a round-trip companion coupon upon account opening and at each card anniversary, a one-class upgrade, a station lounge pass and 1,000 tier qualifying points for every $5,000 in qualifying purchases each calendar year.

Both cards include a 5% rebate when redeeming Amtrak points for travel and no foreign transaction fees. Points don't expire on either card as long as the card account remains open.

How to redeem Amtrak points

Amtrak points can be quite valuable, and searching for award space on Amtrak's website is very easy. To search for an award ticket, select "Use Points" in the upper right-hand corner.

Though Amtrak doesn't use a fixed award chart, much like Southwest Airlines or JetBlue , the reward prices are roughly tied to the ticket's cash cost, and you'll get a fixed value of about 2.67 cents per point.

Redeem points for Amtrak train tickets

For example, let's say you want to book a popular train route, such as this one from New York to Washington, D.C.

Looking at a sample date in June, the standard Northeast Regional train starts at 750 points for a coach seat or 3,113 points in business class. This corresponds to cash prices of $20 for a coach ticket and $83 for a business-class ticket; therefore, you'd be getting a fixed valuation of 2.67 cents per point.

Amtrak runs dozens of trains on this route each day, with the price varying, depending on the type of train (Acela versus Northeast Regional), fare class and departure time.

If your travel time extends beyond a few hours, you may consider using your points to book a private room on some of Amtrak's lengthier, more scenic routes. For example, you can book this 46-hour journey from Chicago to Seattle. A sleeper compartment on this nonstop journey costs just under 37,000 points versus $980 cash.

If you're curious about what 45 hours on a train feels like, make sure to check out TPG's review of the Superliner Roomette from Chicago to Portland, Oregon . Senior writer Katie Genter booked the tickets on sale for $448 per person for the one-way trip. Besides the subpar dining experience, she enjoyed the scenic journey (though she admits that spending that long on a train certainly isn't for everyone).

Related: 11 mistakes people make when taking a cross-country Amtrak train

Redeem points for non-train travel

Amtrak also gives you the option to redeem your points for other travel experiences , such as hotels, rental cars and cruises.

A $50 gift card for Airbnb, Hotels.com, Uber or Disney will set you back 6,000 points. That means Amtrak is valuing your points at 0.83 cents apiece for these redemptions, which is subpar compared to the 2.67 cents per point you can get when redeeming your points for train travel.

Amtrak Guest Rewards elite status

Amtrak Guest Rewards offers three elite status tiers , which include opportunities to earn bonus points, upgrades and lounge access. Qualification is based on your yearly total of tier qualifying points.

Basic members earn 2 points per dollar spent, plus a 25% bonus for business-class tickets and a 50% bonus on Acela first-class tickets. Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard cardmembers can also earn 1,000 TQPs for every $5,000 spent on their card.

Perks for earning elite status with Amtrak Guest Rewards are as follows:

All elite tiers come with two 10% discount coupons, priority call handling and exclusive offers. Select Executive members are automatically registered for promotions.

Related: The complete guide to Amtrak Guest Rewards elite status

Amtrak lounge access

You can find Metropolitan Lounges in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Portland and Washington. Amtrak also offers unstaffed waiting rooms in New Orleans, St. Louis, St. Paul-Minneapolis and Wilmington, Delaware.

Access is available to those with a same-day ticket and one of the following:

• Amtrak Guest Rewards Select Plus or Select Executive elite status
• Amtrak Guest Rewards station lounge pass
• First-class ticket
• Private-room ticket
• Business-class passengers (Portland and St. Louis only)

Business-class passengers can purchase daypasses for lounge use for $35 at select locations — Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston — or spend $50 for a daypass to access New York's location. Pacific Surfliner business-class passengers have the option to purchase a $25 daypass for the lounge in Los Angeles.

Related: NYC's hottest new bar? Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge

Bottom line

Amtrak may not be quite as popular as airlines in the U.S., but the company is working on turning that around. Amtrak can be a solid alternative to flying for many short trips, especially up and down the coasts.

Amtrak points can also be valuable, especially for trips where the cheapest tickets are already sold out.

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Tickets FAQs

How and where can i use national rail travel vouchers.

Your rail travel vouchers are valid for a year and can be used to purchase tickets for travel with any UK train operating company, excluding London Underground and Heathrow Express.

We’re sorry to say, however, that we can’t accept rail travel vouchers as payment for tickets booked on this website. That said, you can use them at any staffed station; also on some services that operate with conductors (or those which do not operate penalty fares).

Please note: We cannot give change for the remainder of the voucher, if you do not spend up to the full value. We are also unable to renew vouchers once they are out of date.

Note that there can be multiple Railcards selected, and a number value (Number of Passengers with Selected Railcard) must be sent for each one selected. The way it works is all selected "Railcards" are sent as a comma-delimited list in the rc field, and all the "Number of Passengers with Selected Railcard" are sent as a comma-delimited list in the rcc field which matches the order of the Railcards in the rc field. So if there are two "16-25 Railcards" and one "HM Forces Railcard" it will be sent as:

Also note that WebTIS doesn't handle Railcards very well, so this might not work well anyway. :(

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Frequently Asked Questions?

Most frequently asked questions

Railcards can be used for rail discounts in the area known as Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). They cannot be used for rail travel in either in Northern Ireland nor the Republic of Ireland.

If you live in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland you can buy a Railcard to use for travelling in Scotland, Wales or England. 

The download code allows you to add a purchased digital Railcard to the Railcard app on your device. It is found within the email confirmation you would have received after we have approved your Railcard application.

If you have purchased your Railcard from the Railcard website you will need to click 'Manage my Railcard' on the website or homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, please click ‘Get a new download code’ to generate a new download code. You can now use this new download code to add your Railcard to a new device.

If you are asked to remove 1 device, click the Bin icon next to the device you want to remove your Railcard from and then click 'Remove'. The system will generate a new download code for you which can now be used to add your Railcard to your device.

Click here for more information on download code and managing your Railcard.

Please note that the Railcard app is available to download from the Apple Store and the Google Play store.

Check your mailbox (including your junk mail) for an email from our Railcard team.

If you still can’t find it, you will need to click 'Manage my Railcard' on the website or homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, please click ‘Get a new download code’ to generate a new download code. You can now use this new download code to add your Railcard to a new device.

Click here for more information on download codes and managing your Railcard.

If your download code isn’t working, it is likely that it has expired or has been used to activate your Railcard on too many devices. You can only store your digital Network Railcard on a maximum of 2 devices, so you may need to remove it from an existing device to add it to a new one. 

If the problem persists, please contact the customer services team on 0345 3000 250.

Click here for the step by step guide on how to generate a new download code.

You can buy your Senior Railcard online or at a staffed station Ticket Office.

To buy online, simply click ‘’Buy Now’’ on the website homepage and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to provide a valid passport or UK driving licence or EEA National Identity Card number to prove your date of birth and a digital passport-style photo if you have selected 'Digital' under 'Choose the type of Railcard you would like' section.

Once your online payment has been successful you will receive an email confirmation and acknowledgement of your application number (this confirmation cannot be used to buy discounted tickets).

If you have purchased a plastic Senior Railcard, please allow 5 working days for delivery. You can choose to pay for ‘Special Delivery’, but you will have to place your order before 15:45pm to guarantee that your Railcard is delivered within two days (Monday to Thursday) or three days (Friday to Sunday).

If you are unable to wait for your Senior Railcard to be delivered to you, you can also download and complete an online application form and go to any staffed station Ticket Office to apply in person. You will need to provide a valid passport or UK driving licence or EEA National Identity Card number to prove your date of birth.

If you have purchased a digital Senior Railcard, a download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your Railcard. 

You will not be able to travel on discounted tickets until you have your Railcard.

The Railcard App is available to download from the Apple Store and the Google Play store.

The App is only compatible with devices that have the following software: Apple iOS 14.0 and above and Android 5.0 and above.

The Railcard app is  not  compatible with Windows Phones.

In the first instance please contact Railcard Customer Services who will endeavour to resolve any issues that you have. 

We're open from 07:00am to 22:00pm everyday of the year except for Christmas day.  You can:

Email us:         [email protected]

Call us on:       0345 3000 250

Write to:           

National Railcards

PO box 8626

SWADLINCOTE

If you are not satisfied with the resolution we give, you are entitled to contact:

www.transportfocus.org.uk/help/rail-complaints

http://ec.europa.eu/odr/

Yes. You must show your valid Senior Railcard (digital or plastic) when you buy your ticket and travel on the train. Failure to present a valid Railcard will mean you have to pay a full fare or you may on certain services be liable for a Penalty Fare.

A train company will normally allow you to claim back this extra expense on the first occasion in each year where this happens providing you can show that you owned a Railcard before you started your journey.

Each train company will have their own process for doing this. You will need to provide proof of your Railcard and either the original and additional tickets that you have purchased, or if you have not yet paid, details of the notice to pay or notice of Penalty Fare. Where you have already paid for additional tickets you should contact the relevant train company’s customer services department; in the case of a notice to pay or notice of Penalty Fare, you should follow the instructions included on how to challenge or appeal the charge.

Yes. You can buy a 1-year Senior Railcard over the counter at all staffed stations ticket offices. You will be required to provide your passport or UK driving licence or birth certificate or EEA National Identity Card as proof of your date of birth.

Railcards issued at stations cannot be renewed online. You will need to create an account and purchase a new Railcard.

To buy a new Senior Railcard, please go to the website homepage, click ‘Buy Now’ and follow the instructions on the screen. You will be asked to provide either a passport or driving licence number or EEA National Identity Card and you will also need to provide a digital passport-style photo if you have selected 'Digital' under 'Choose the type of Railcard you would like' section.

Not if you already hold a Senior Railcard that was issued by our online service. Please note that Railcard issued at a station cannot be renewed online. You will need to create an account and purchase a new Railcard.

To buy a new Railcard, please go to the website homepage, click ‘Buy Now’ and follow the instructions on the screen. You will be asked to provide either a passport or driving licence or EEA National Identity Card number and you will also need a digital passport-style photo if you have selected ‘Digital’ under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section.

Please click ‘’Buy Now’’ on the website homepage and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to provide a valid passport or UK driving licence or EEA National Identity Card number to verify your date of birth online and a digital passport-style photo if you have selected ‘Digital’ under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section.

If you have ordered a plastic Senior Railcard, please allow 5 working days for delivery. You can choose to pay for ‘Special Delivery’, but you will have to place your order before 15:45pm to guarantee that your Railcard is delivered within two days (Monday to Thursday) or three days (Friday to Sunday).

If you have ordered a digital Railcard, a download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your Railcard. 

If you have ordered a plastic Senior Railcard online, please allow 5 working days for delivery. If you paid for Special Delivery and placed your order before 15:45pm, your Railcard will be delivered within two days (Monday to Thursday) or three days (Friday to Sunday).

If you have purchased a digital Railcard, it will be available to use straight away. A download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your Railcard. 

You cannot travel on discounted tickets until you have received your Railcard.

You will need to wait 7 working days, then go to ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the Senior Railcard website homepage to log in to your account and apply for a replacement. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active Senior Railcard, then click on ‘Replace Railcard (Lost or stolen)’. Select ‘lost’, then click continue and follow the instructions on the screen. Please check that your address is correct before you order.

You will be sent a free replacement provided you do this within 30 days of your application date. If 30 days has passed from your date of purchase you can still request a replacement card, but you will have to pay a £10 replacement fee.

Your Railcard is not valid during the morning peak period when travelling between two stations in the  Network Railcard area  of validity.  Check locally to confirm morning peak times as these do differ.  This restriction does not apply on public holidays.

Digital Railcards are stored within the Railcard app on your smart phone or tablet, meaning there’s no need to carry the physical card around with you. They can be stored on up to two devices and used quicker than plastic Railcards as they do not need to be sent in the post.

Click here for more information on managing your Railcard

Yes, you can.

Simply click ‘Buy Now on the website homepage to get started. When you get to the question 'Choose the type of Railcard you would like' select 'Digital' and follow the instructions on the screen to complete your purchase.

You can also buy a Railcard at Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport rail stations, Luton Airport Parkway and Manchester Airport – but NOT at London Heathrow Airport.

No. You must carry your Railcard with you on any journey where you have bought discounted tickets with the Railcard.

Therefore, if you buy discounted Railcard tickets before you receive your Railcard, you do this at your own risk.

No. You will not be able to travel with your discounted tickets if your Senior Railcard has expired. Discounted tickets are only valid if you are using them with a valid Railcard. You will need to renew your Senior Railcard before you begin and complete your journey.

Click here for the step by step guide on how to renew your Railcard.

If you have selected 'Digital' under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section, your digital Senior Railcard will be available to use straight away. A download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your digital Railcard. 

Please click on https://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/help/railcard-terms-conditions/ for important terms and conditions that you need to understand before you use your Railcard.

Yes. You can use it with the 2FOR1 Days Out Guide promotions and most offers given by train companies. Please note that your Railcard may get you the full 1/3 discount on some Train Company special offers, but many offers include a smaller discount or no discount at all. It's best to ask at your local station for details of a specific offer, or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.

Alternatively, you can visit www.nationalrail.co.uk .

The Railcard discount does not cover charges on various articles or animals.

For details about which items carry a charge, and details of the charges, please call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.

Only if there is no ticket office, or the ticket office is closed and there is no ticket machine available to buy your discounted ticket at the station at which you began your journey. If this is the case you can buy your discounted ticket from ontrain staff.

Otherwise, if ticket facilities were available at the station you could be charged the full price Standard Single fare.

No. The Railcard is for your use only, and provides discounts only on tickets bought for your own use. It does not cover anyone accompanying you.

Yes, providing that there are reservations available on the service on which you are travelling. Many train companies will allow you to reserve a seat free of charge on longer distance journeys.

Please check with the local ticket office staff before buying tickets.

Please click ‘Renew my Railcard’ on the website homepage to log in to account. Once logged in, click ‘Renew’ under your expired or soon to expired Railcard, select 'Digital' or ‘Plastic’ under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section and follow the instruction on the screen to complete your purchase.

Click  here  for the step by step guide on how to renew your Railcard.

If you bought your Railcard online, please go to ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the website homepage to log in to your account and apply for a replacement. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active Senior Railcard, then click on ‘Replace Railcard (Lost or stolen)’. Select lost or damaged, then click continue and follow the instructions on the screen. You will also have to pay a £10 administration fee.

Please note that you can only apply for a replacement Railcard 5 days after the date of original purchase and only one replacement may be issued in a 12-month period.

If you bought it at a station, provided you can produce the completed "Receipt" portion of your original application form, then you can apply for your lost or damaged Railcard to be replaced at any staffed station ticket office. You will also have to pay a £10 administration fee.

To replace a stolen Railcard you bought online, please go to ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the website homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active Railcard, then click on ‘Replace Railcard (Lost or stolen)’. Select ‘stolen’, then click continue and follow the instructions on the screen. You will have to provide a crime reference number, or a document given to you by the Police for a free replacement. You can also call our Helpline on 0345 3000 250.

To replace a stolen Railcard you bought at a station, please go to a station with your crime reference number/documentation given to you by the police and some form of identification to be issued with a free replacement Railcard.

Yes. Please visit the ‘Offers & Competitions’ page for more details.

If you have already purchased a digital Senior Railcard, you should have received an email which contains a download code. You will use this download code to add your digital Senior Railcard on your phone or device.

First, you will need to download the Railcard app from the Apple Store or the Google Play store. Once downloaded, open the app and tap on the ‘+’ symbol on the ‘Your Railcards’ screen. The ‘Add Railcard’ screen will then show, and you will need to tap on the ‘+’ symbol under ‘Add an existing Railcard’ to enter your download code and add your Senior Railcard.

Click here for the step by step guide on how to add a digital Railcard to your phone.

Digital Railcard can be bought online only. Please click 'Buy Now' on the website homepage to get started. When you get to the question ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’, select digital and follow the instructions on the screen to continue with your purchase.

In most cases, your digital Railcard will be available to use straight away. A download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your Railcard. 

If you lose the device where your digital Senior Railcard was downloaded, you will need to log in to account and remove it from the lost device.

Simply click ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the website homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active digital Senior Railcard, then click on ‘Manage Digital Devices’ and select the device you want to remove.  Once you have removed one device on your account, please click ‘Request a new code for your Railcard’ to generate a new download code. You can now use this new download code to add your digital Senior Railcard to a new device.

Please note that you can only store your digital Railcard on a maximum of 2 devices.

In most cases, your digital Senior Railcard will be available to use straight away. A download code will be sent to your registered email address, along with instructions on how to download your digital Senior Railcard.

Please go to ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the website homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active digital Senior Railcard, then click on ‘Manage Digital Devices’ and select the device you want to remove.  Once you have removed one device on your account, please click ‘Request a new code for your Railcard’ to generate a new download code. You can now use this new download code to add your digital Senior Railcard to a new device.

Yes! You can renew your digital Railcard within 30 days of its expiry to a digital Railcard.

Simply click ‘Renew my Railcard’ on the homepage, enter your log in details, click on ‘Renew’ under your expired or soon to expired Railcard, select 'Digital' under ‘Choose the type of Railcard you would like’ section and follow the instruction on the screen to complete your purchase.

You cannot swap a plastic Railcard to a digital Railcard. However, when the time comes to renew your Railcard you can do this online and choose to have a digital Railcard.

You can store your digital Railcard on up to two devices at a time.

If you want to add it to a third, you will need to remove it from one of your existing devices through your account.

Simply go to ‘Manage my Railcard’ on the homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, click on ‘Details’ under your active digital Senior Railcard, then click on ‘Manage Digital Devices’ and select the device you want to remove. Once you have removed one device on your account, please click ‘Request a new code for your Railcard’ to generate a new download code. You can now use this new download code to add your Senior Railcard to a new device.

You will need to contact our customer support team on 0345 3000 250 so that we can better understand the activity that has caused your Railcard to be blocked.

If appropriate, they will be able to help you get back online with your Railcard.

If we detect suspicious activity on your Railcard, it will be blocked until we have had the chance to speak to you.

During this period, your Railcard will no longer be valid for travel.

If your Railcard has been blocked, you will need to contact our customer support team on 0345 3000 250.

**Excessive device changing can result in a Railcard being blocked**

If you don’t have any battery life, or have forgotten your device, it won't be possible to check that your Railcard discount is valid.

You could be asked to buy a single ticket for your journey, or be issued with a Penalty Fare.

If you do get caught out while travelling, you can make one claim a year to be refunded for any extra fare or penalty you incur.

For a list of train companies in Great Britain, and their details, click  here .

Unfortunately, you can only have one version of your Railcard – either plastic or digital. Once you have purchased your Railcard you cannot change the type of Railcard you have.

Please go to "Manage my Railcard" on the website homepage to log in to your account. Once logged in, on the top right of your account summary page, please click on your ‘Menu Profile’ and select ‘Personal Details’. You will be given the option to update or change your personal details, including your address.

Or you can also click on https://secure.railcard.co.uk/account/personal-details , enter your log in details and the ‘Manage Personal Details’ page will show. You can now change or update your personal details including your address.

If you are using a driving licence to apply, please make sure that the name you use to apply for your Railcard is typed into your application in exactly the same format in which it is shown on your driving licence.

This means that if an apostrophe or hyphen in your name has been left out of your name on your driving licence you need to leave it out of the name you use for your Railcard.

For example, if your name is “O’brian” and it is shown as “Obrian” (without the apostrophe) on your driving licence, then you should type it as “Obrian” in your Railcard application.

We accept machine readable passport codes from all countries except for those issued in the Philippines and Bangladesh prior to 2010. So, if you have a valid passport your passport code should work.

When inputting your passport details into the system please ensure you are entering all characters including each chevron “<” where it appears on your passport. You will need to input:

• 10 digits or characters into the first box
• three letters in the second box identifying your nationality
• seven digits in the third box
• an F or M identifying your gender in the fourth box
• seven digits in the fifth box
• the last two digits of your passport code in the sixth box. If you only have one digit in this section, please add a 0 in front of it. 

If all the above information is correct and the system says that your number is still invalid, please c heck that the information you have supplied on the Cardholder Details page is correct. You must:

• use your full name as it is shown on your passport. Do not use any shortened version of your name (for example, “Bob” when you are “Robert” on your passport)
• put your personal name in the “Your First Name” field and your family name in the “Your Surname” field
• make sure that your gender is as it is shown on your passport

If you opt for a digital Railcard, you must provide a photograph. The photo should have been taken with nothing covering the outline of eyes, nose or mouth. The rail industry applies the same rules as the DVLA and Passport Agency, so photos with a person wearing a full facial burka / niqab (a veil that covers the face) are not acceptable. If a member of rail staff is unable to validate that the person on your Railcard is you, the Train Companies reserve the right to charge you the full price Standard Single fare for your journey as if no ticket was purchased before starting the journey and in some cases a Penalty Fare.

We accept online payment via credit and debit cards. The cards accepted are: Visa, Visa Debit, Visa Electron, MasterCard, MasterCard Debit, Maestro and Solo. We cannot accept American Express or Diner's Club.

Please check that you have read each character of the code correctly. We do try to use codes that are easy to read, but occasionally applicants might confuse,

• the letter “I” with the number “1”
• the letter “O” with the number “0”(zero)
• the letter “S” with the number “5”.

If any of these characters appear in your code, please try their alternatives. If this does not work please, call us on 0345 3000 250 and we will be able to check the status of the code you have.

You can renew your Senior Railcard bought online within 30 days of its expiry to a digital or a plastic Railcard.

Railcard are available offline for a period of up to 72 hours. The Railcard app on your device will continue to show your digital Railcard as long as your mobile device has connected to the internet at some point within the last 72 hours. However, you will need an internet connection to buy your digital Railcard or add it to a new device.

No. Unfortunately, once a Railcard has been issued it is non-refundable.

Travelling on a Sleeper Train usually requires two payments: one for the rail ticket and one for the berth. The Railcard will give you a discount on the rail ticket element, but not on the berth fee. From time to time, the different Train Companies providing sleeper services may advertise special offers for Railcard holders.

Due to the pandemic far fewer people have been travelling by train. This means that the government is offering additional financial backing to the rail industry so that services keep running to support the economy.

If you order online then yes, you can order one up to 14 days in advance of your 60th birthday. Please note that you cannot buy Railcards in advance of your 60th birthday from rail stations.

Due to the pandemic fewer people have been travelling by train. Funding is currently being used to keep services running to support the economy. 

You can use your Railcard on all franchised train operating companies that provide services within England, Scotland and Wales. Railcards do not give discounts on Eurostar services, Charter services, and Heritage Railways unless state otherwise.

Railcards issued at stations are printed on paper. On rare occasions, the way that the surface of the Railcard interacts with the plastic in some ticket wallets destabilises the print and makes it fade. If this has happened to your Railcard you can take it into a staffed rail station and they will replace it free of charge. Most stations will be able to check the validity of the Railcards by running it through the ticket–issuing machine to check when it was originally issued.

The “Internal Server Error” message is a generic error message which relates to issues to do with the way your browser is interfacing with the Railcard website. Sometimes this problem can occur if you are using compatibility mode in Internet Explorer (versions IE10 and lower).  

In Internet Explorer 10 you can click the compatibility mode button to switch it on or off. 

In Internet Explorer 11 there is no compatibility mode button so to access the Compatibility settings you will need to click on the Settings icon. In the menu that is subsequently displayed you will find “Compatibility View Settings” – click this. In the Settings panel that displays, make sure that railcard.co.uk is not the box entitled, “Websites you’ve added to compatibility view”.  If it is please click on the entry and click the remove button, then click to close it.

• Can I use a provisional driving licence to apply online? A: Yes. Provisional driving licences can be used to demonstrate your age to our online system
• Can I get a discount on Season tickets and period Travelcards with a Railcard? A: No, we’re sorry but the Railcard gives no discount on these types of ticket.

If you are travelling by train on a ticket with a Railcard discount, you must travel with your valid Railcard. If you forget your Railcard you will either be required to buy a new ticket or you may on certain services be liable for a Penalty Fare. However, a train company will normally allow you to claim back this extra expense on the first occasion in each year where this happens.

Each train company will have their own process for doing this. You will need to provide proof of your Railcard and either the original and additional tickets that you have purchased, or if you have not yet paid, details of the notice to pay or notice of Penalty Fare. Where you have already paid for additional tickets you should contact the relevant train company’s customer services department; in the case of a notice to pay of notice of Penalty Fare, you should follow the instructions included on how to challenge or appeal the charge.

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• Fares, Ticketing & Routeing
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Rail travel vouchers

• Thread starter Class800
• Start date 21 Sep 2021
• 21 Sep 2021

Established Member

Morning. I do apologise if this is a rather basic question, but it's something I haven't learnt yet. I just got three £10 Rail Travel Vouchers. I know they can only be used at a booking office (or on board a train where this is permitted) and there is no change available - so I should use them for relatively high price journeys. I can use each voucher separately. But what I don't know is the vouchers have a South Western Railway logo on them. Does this mean they can only be used at SWR ticket offices and/or for journeys on SWR trains, or is this not the case. I can't find clear guidance on this online.  

RailUK Forums

Veteran Member

They can be used at any National Rail ticket office or on board any National Rail train.  

You can also use them to buy Railcards from any ticket office.  

WesternLancer

Class800 said: Morning. I do apologise if this is a rather basic question, but it's something I haven't learnt yet. I just got three £10 Rail Travel Vouchers. I know they can only be used at a booking office (or on board a train where this is permitted) and there is no change available - so I should use them for relatively high price journeys. I can use each voucher separately. But what I don't know is the vouchers have a South Western Railway logo on them. Does this mean they can only be used at SWR ticket offices and/or for journeys on SWR trains, or is this not the case. I can't find clear guidance on this online. Click to expand...

The back says "You can us this voucher at any station or rail-appointed travel agent as full or part payment for travel on services of the principle Train Companies (*), subject to any notes shown overleaf". Footnote: (*) Details of the Train Companies are available from station ticket offices and rail-appointed Travel Agents  

WesternLancer said: Presumably they still have the bit on the back where you fill in your name and travel details? Click to expand...

Wallsendmag

skyhigh said: I haven't seen any Rail Travel Vouchers in years that have a section for the passenger to fill in. Click to expand...

The back says "You can us this voucher at any station or rail-appointed travel agent as full or part payment for travel on services of the principle Train Companies (*), subject to any notes shown overleaf". Footnote: (*) Details of the Train Companies are available from station ticket offices and rail-appointed Travel Agents Does this restrict the company to SWR?  

Class800 said: The back says "You can us this voucher at any station or rail-appointed travel agent as full or part payment for travel on services of the principle Train Companies (*), subject to any notes shown overleaf". Footnote: (*) Details of the Train Companies are available from station ticket offices and rail-appointed Travel Agents Does this restrict the company to SWR? Click to expand...

• 22 Sep 2021

thanks  

• 18 Oct 2021

I think it's best to continue this thread, as it's effectively the same matter. I have as yet not been able to use my rail travel vouchers as my local station is unstaffed. The rail travel voucher scheme is still not able to be used online. https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/45185.aspx is not the clearest in my opinion as to whether a customer can board a train and ask the guard for a ticket using rail travel vouchers, where there is a ticket machine on the station (which does not take the vouchers). So, I asked SWR who gave me the vouchers and they said (in writing) that "if you speak to the guard on board the service then they should be able to assist with purchasing a ticket using the rail vouchers". The problem is the word 'should'. It is not definite, so I don't think this reply from the company necessarily counts as permission from the rail company to board without a ticket. With my local station being unstaffed and where I almost always start journeys, it otherwise looks difficult to find an opportunity to use the vouchers, although I do have another 10 months  

As ticket machines don't accept rail travel vouchers you may board the train and purchase your ticket at the first available opportunity. This could be onboard, at an interchange station (if time permits) or at your destination.  

That's good to know. I thought that if there was a machine and I had a means to pay (even if not my preferred one, RTVs) I had to get a ticket. Good to know I'm wrong. I'm still learning. I'd not want to have to sort this at London Waterloo unless I had to, so it would be the guard. My usual route is Cranbrook to Plumstead changing at London Waterloo. I do find SWR guards west of Salisbury pretty good to be fair - helpful and no questions asked when twice the Cranbrook ticket machine was out of service and sold a railcard fare on board. So, I'd be fairly confident sorting this out on the first half of the journey. I think I could also get on board and ask the guard if the ticket I want isn't available on the machine - I lost out a few years ago when my knowledge was far weaker (but still above average for a non-expert traveller) when the ticket machine didn't offer Off Peak Return for same day use. I've always now got them in advance, but I don't think there's a need. I can get it on departure as it's a walk up fare.  

I'm not sure if it's still the case, given the level of outsourcing that goes on, but some TOCs used to allow the use of RTVs when making a Telesales booking if it was far enough in advance. The process involved posting the vouchers to them and they'd issue the tickets once received (and, presumably, any outstanding balance was paid).  

Or, if the OP happened to be near a staffed station (Exeter C or SD being the obvious ones), they could buy in advance there. But there is no need to!  

7 Ways to Save Money on Uber and Lyft Rides

There are plenty of ways to save on ride-share trips, including using a fare comparison tool like RideGuru.

How to Save on Uber and Lyft Rides

Getty Images

If you need rides during pricing surges, fares can add up fast – luckily, there are ways to get around paying top dollar.

Key Takeaways

• Ride-share fares can get expensive.
• Save by using a fare comparison tool like RideGuru.
• Consider carpooling with friends and other app users.
• Hunt for savings through gift cards, coupon sites and credit-card rewards programs.
• Look into ride-share memberships and reserving fares in advance.

Ride-share fares can add up fast – especially if you need rides during pricing surges. But there are ways to get around paying top dollar.

From carpooling to gift cards, here are seven ways experts say you can save on Uber and Lyft rides.

1. Compare Fares

First, always comparison shop before booking a ride-share service.

"My go-to trick is to always check both apps for the expected cost. You can even do this ahead of your planned travel," Alyson Burkett, a certified financial planner at 21 Goats Financial Planning, said in an email.

You can also use a fare comparison tool like RideGuru to compare Uber and Lyft rates against the cost of hiring a taxi or limo. It's as easy as opening the website, entering your trip details and getting estimates.

Next, consider splitting the cost with friends or other app users.

If Lyft Shared is available in your city, you can save by riding with other people traveling the same route. Similarly, UberPool offers solo riders savings of up to 30% on an UberX fare and typically adds only five to 10 minutes to trips.

"Sharing rides through platforms' carpooling options substantially cuts costs," Peter Hamdy, co-founder and managing director at Auckland & Beyond Tours, said in an email.

Burkett added that you can strategize with friends to save on rides. For example, you can meet up at a friend's house to get picked up together or schedule to pick up a friend on the way.

3. Buy Uber or Lyft Gift Cards

"A lesser known option is to buy Uber or Lyft gift cards from third-party sites and use them for your ride-share accounts," Brittany Betts, travel expert at FloridaPanhandle, said in an email.

Andrea Woroch, a money-saving expert, also recommended the gift card route .

"You can buy gift cards through resale sites like Raise at a discount," she said in an email. At the time of this writing, the discounts go up to 5.1%.

"Also, warehouse stores like Sam's Club sell Uber gift cards at a discount. Wait for a sale on these to score them for even less," Woroch said.

4. Check Credit Card Rewards

Another strategy is to use credit cards to reduce the net cost of ride shares.

"Getting a card that rewards you for these transactions with bonus cash back, free transportation credits or membership fees is a great way to save on future trips," Woroch said.

For example, she found the S avorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card from Capital One currently gives you 10% cash back on Uber rides and Uber Eats, and a complimentary Uber One monthly membership.

Lyft also offers some perks through these credit cards:

• A $5 monthly credit for World and World Elite Mastercard holders who pay for at least three Lyft rides per month with their cards.
• A $10 monthly credit for Citi/AAdvantage Executive Mastercard holders who pay for at least three Lyft rides with their cards.

"If you use both services interchangeably, consider a flat-rate cash back card that will give you more back on your rides regardless of which service you book," Woroch said.

5. Use Coupon Sites

Coupon sites and apps are another potential source of savings.

"Check coupon sites for cash back offers and coupons. For example, CouponCabin has a cash back offer for Uber that can earn you up to $2.50 back per ride," Trae Bodge, shopping expert at TrueTrae, said in an email.

Fetch is also worth considering. "All you have to do is snap pictures of your daily receipts for groceries, gas, clothing and more to earn points using the free Fetch rewards app," Woroch said.

She said you can redeem 29,000 points for a $25 Lyft gift card and 27,500 points for a $25 Uber gift card.

"Check their special offers section to learn which brands or store purchases will rake in more points to get those free gift cards faster," she added.

6. Become a Member

If you're a frequent ride-share user, it may be cheaper to become a member.

Lyft Pink is $9.99 per month, or $99 per year, and comes with:

• 5% off Standard and XL rides
• Free priority pickup upgrades
• A free year of Grubhub+
• 12 free bike or scooter unlocks per year
• Relaxed cancellations

The company says members save an average of $23 per month on complimentary upgrades.

As for Uber, it offers two memberships:

• Uber One is $9.99 per month or $96 per year. It comes with member pricing on eligible Uber rides along with 10% off and no delivery fees for eligible Uber Eats orders from select restaurants and stores.
• Uber Pass is $24.99 per month and offers a 10% discount on up to 50 UberX rides per month, no delivery fee on up to 20 eligible Uber Eats orders per month and priority customer support.

7. Reserve Rides Ahead of Time

Lastly, you may be able to save by booking ahead.

"To save on Uber and Lyft rides, timing and planning are key. Ride costs fluctuate based on demand, so avoiding peak times can lead to lower prices," Hamdy said.

"Reserving Uber rides is one of my favorite ways to lock in rates and avoid real-time pricing surges," Danielle Desir Corbett, a travel expert and the host of The Thought Card podcast, said in an email. "Scheduling rides 90 days in advance comes in handy, especially when heading to the airport or train station."

Transportation Costs Impact Inflation

Emily Sherman April 20, 2023

Tags: money , personal finance , Uber , Lyft

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