But the receipt issued by the ticket office won't be. And it's that which the OP may need for an expenses claim.
Our expense claims through SAP Concur only need a photo or of any receipts these days, no need to retain or submit the piece of paper any more. It makes it easy to take a snap of the ticket whilst still on the train.
I get less hassle with the ticket itself, physical or photo, as the ticket receipt gives far less information to Finance than the ticket itself anyway; they want to know I've bought a ticket from home to London for £45, rather than spent £45 on something unspecific.
I sympathise. Our policy allows me to book whatever I like with a note of justification to my approving manager which has never been denied.
Is the issue that you must get point to point as they don't trust you not to go to another Z1 station? Or just that Finance need to see clearly specified and destination? Talk about lack of trust!
If you can pre-book online, even on the day of travel, on a booking site, you will be able to specify and receive an email confirmation, itinerary and credit card receipt that states [Origin] to City Thameslink, if that helps you at all. The paper ticket you collect will still say Z1 as the destination.
...
EDIT:
Just looked through a few of my old bookings from Cambridge to Paddington. Online booking emails vary a bit.
- Booking through Thameslink the email states "Cambridge to London Underground and DLR Zones 1-2" With an itinerary to Paddington.
- Booking through LNER the email doesn't state the full title of the ticket or Z1 at all, only the ticket type "Anytime Day Single" with an itinerary to Paddington
- Booking through Greater Anglia and Chiltern the email states "Journey 1: Cambridge to London Paddington" in capital letters and the ticket type "Anytime Day Single" with an itinerary and no mention of Z1.