Can a retailer attach terms and conditions to buying a railcard?

[Egg Centric]

I was about to buy a network railcard from a retailer doing a discount on them (before I realised the great betrayal that would be to the forum site and stopped myself!) - but another thing that was giving me pause is that it said on it that "Please purchase one UK train ticket within 30 days on BOORIVALRETAILER to activate your Railcard after completing payment, or your Railcard will be invalid".

Is that actually a thing they're allowed to do? Sounds bizarre to me. As is the whole thing (I know this isn't anything new at all but since I've got a thread may as well question it) about railcards being in retailer apps to be honest - all my non-physical railcards so far have been in the official railcard app.

 

[Haywain]

Is that actually a thing they're allowed to do?

They are doing it because you wish to take advantage of a discount, aren’t they? In other words giving you some money, but with strings attached. If you were paying full price for the railcard the additional terms and conditions would be unreasonable but as you're not...

 

[Egg Centric]

They are doing it because you wish to take advantage of a discount, aren’t they? In other words giving you some money, but with strings attached. If you were paying full price for the railcard the additional terms and conditions would be unreasonable but as you're not...

I'm sure that's their rationale yes - but interested in whether they're "allowed" to do it.

Makes me wonder actually - what does becoming invalid mean? If it means the railcard is "pulled" in a month and I got a refund (but in the meantime was able to use it tomorrow with a ticket bought from the forum site) then that would actually be perfect!

If it doesn't mean that, then what... is it forfeit with 2/3rd of the list price kept?

 

[OscarH]

It has been deemed as allowed.

I think it just might not fulfil the railcard until you buy the required ticket? But don't quote me on that

 

[Haywain]

It has been deemed as allowed.

I think it just might not fulfil the railcard until you buy the required ticket? But don't quote me on that

That was mentioned on another thread.

 

[Joe Paxton]

...
Makes me wonder actually - what does becoming invalid mean? If it means the railcard is "pulled" in a month and I got a refund (but in the meantime was able to use it tomorrow with a ticket bought from the forum site) then that would actually be perfect!
...

Assuming this is Trip.com or Trainpal (sister companies), the Railcard is only fulfilled once you have purchased the required UK (actually GB) train ticket.

If you don't buy a train ticket from them within 30 days, the blurb is quite clear that you'll be refunded.

Also, for what it's worth, either a Sunday Out Single or Evening Out Single ticket (with a Railcard discount) between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road on the Island Line will set one back 70p.

The things to bear in mind is that the app implementation of Digital Railcard on both the Trip.com and Trainpal apps is alas somewhat flaky.