Digitial Railcards

[Dumpton Park]

I have seen thasome third party sellers are now selling the range of National railcards (often with a first-buy discount). I've noticed that these cards have to be stored on the seller's app.

Would I be right to think that doesn't restrict you using the railcard to just that app? If I had, say a Network railcard bought via Trainpal, I could still "use" it for Southern, just showing it on the Trainpal app not the usual Railcards one?

DP

 

[Watershed]

Digital Railcards are valid for use with Railcard-discounted tickets bought via any method. That said, some apps, like TrainPal, have gimmicky offers (that may not comply with industry accreditation rules) whereby you have to make a purchase via their app to 'activate' your Railcard. Personally speaking, I am wary of Digital Railcards since my ability to show a valid ticket rests on an app whose reliability I can't easily verify, so I am sticking to physical Railcards for as long as they are available.

 

[Joe Paxton]

I have seen that some third party sellers are now selling the range of National railcards (often with a first-buy discount). I've noticed that these cards have to be stored on the seller's app.

Would I be right to think that doesn't restrict you using the railcard to just that app? If I had, say a Network railcard bought via Trainpal, I could still "use" it for Southern, just showing it on the Trainpal app not the usual Railcards one?

Correct. You can use any app to buy tickets, or indeed a ticket office or a ticket machine (or buy on board if that is appropriate to the situation).

Re Digital Railcards from Trip.com and also from Trainpal (which are sister companies) - I've had both to take advantage of offers, but I wouldn't normally recommend them to others as the implementation of Digital Railcards on their respective apps is a bit rubbish.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I wouldn't normally recommend them to others as the implementation of Digital Railcards on their respective apps is a bit rubbish.

So, what should the process of 'accreditation' actually be doing?

 

[Snow1964]

Generally I do not recommend digital railcards, unless you are very slick flicking between apps on a phone.

For most people it is easier to show ticket on the phone and be able to display the physical railcard. Not many can find the second app quickly, and display the railcard page, when there is an Inspector hovering. If fumbling through apps to show a specific screen whilst someone is waiting is likely to stress you out then best avoided.

We also hear lots of people who get penalties as digital railcards had expired and they hadn't realised, but much less likely to happen if expiry date is staring at you on a physical card.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

Generally I do not recommend digital railcards, unless you are very slick flicking between apps on a phone.

For most people it is easier to show ticket on the phone and be able to display the physical railcard. Not many can find the second app quickly, and display the railcard page, when there is an Inspector hovering. If fumbling through apps to show a specific screen whilst someone is waiting is likely to stress you out then best avoided.

We also hear lots of people who get penalties as digital railcards had expired and they hadn't realised, but much less likely to happen if expiry date is staring at you on a physical card.

Just keep tickets and cards all in one place such as google wallet on your phone, very easy to show both very quickly then.

 

[Adam Williams]

So, what should the process of 'accreditation' actually be doing?

RDG's position appears to be that this particular aspect ("activating" the Railcard by forcing the customer to purchase tickets) of their offering complies with the spec. It is not a view I share.

CTrip were asked to behave when it came to a few other ridiculous things they were doing, and as far as I can tell, have complied.

 

[cool110]

Just keep tickets and cards all in one place such as google wallet on your phone, very easy to show both very quickly then.

Can't put a digital railcard into those, the accreditation requirement force it to stay in the retailer's app.

 

[Dumpton Park]

Thanks all.

Fair point about stressful app-fumbling. Trainpal do not make the digitial location of the railcard easy to find, as far as I can see. At least on the Apple version.

A booked ticket has a link to it (but only from the "make a booking" page, not from the "booked tickets" page) and the only other link seems to be hidden with a question in the FAQ!

DP

 

[kacper]

Thanks all.

Fair point about stressful app-fumbling. Trainpal do not make the digitial location of the railcard easy to find, as far as I can see. At least on the Apple version.

A booked ticket has a link to it (but only from the "make a booking" page, not from the "booked tickets" page) and the only other link seems to be hidden with a question in the FAQ!

DP

Press my cards on the top left of your profile page

 

[Hadders]

My personal experience is that Trainsplit's app handles railcards very well. I've used it for a couple of railcards when I needed to purchase at very short notice and had no issues at all.

As others sais, there is no need to use Trainsplit to purchase railcard discounted tickets.

 

[Dumpton Park]

Press my cards on the top left of your profile page

Thanks. For some reason that seemed to be sulking eariier. Dodgy phone screen probably.

DP

 

[OscarH]

Not many can find the second app quickly, and display the railcard page, when there is an Inspector hovering. If fumbling through apps to show a specific screen whilst someone is waiting is likely to stress you out then best avoided.

For this reason, the TrainSplit Android app lets you add a shortcut to your homescreen, so from the ticket you can press "Home", then the shortcut to get there quick.

Not sure if any real customers have found this or use it, but it does exist

 

[Tetchytyke]

I have stuck with the Railcard app. It’s a bit of a faff initially adding the railcard to the app, but once there I can display it in two button presses.

 

[Vexed]

Not sure if any real customers have found this or use it, but it does exist

I have found this and have been using it for a while now! Avoids the loading screen and having to wait for a timeout on a weak signal before being able to select a railcard so is much quicker and appreciated.