Gold card vs 26-30 Railcard discounts - confused!

[myusernameista]

Hi there,

I am looking into ways on saving on my commute from Hitchin to London Terminals. I know about Flexi -tickets, but I just wanted to check the cost of an individual journey.

Having played around with fares a Hitchin to London Terminals ticket is £22.40 return when leaving at a peak time (before 9.30am). This compares to £33.70 without a Railcard. This means that while there is no discount on the pre-9.30am peak journey, the Railcard is giving a discount on the non-peak return.

However, when I try the same trip with a Gold card, the ticket costs £33.70 - and I am not sure why this is?? When leaving after 9.30am (a non-peak time), the gold card discount drops the price to £25.60. However, I am unclear as to why the gold card is seemingly not giving a discount on a peak departure , non-peak return?

To summarise, does anyone know why a Hitchin to London terminals ticket (departing 8.30am and returning 5.30pm) costs £22.40 with a 26-30 Railcard, but £33.70 with a Gold card?

I've studied the terms of the Gold card, and I can't work out why the discount isn't as generous.

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

(sadly I can no longer qualify for a 26-30 Railcard)

 

[Haywain]

However, when I try the same trip with a Gold card, the ticket costs £33.70 - and I am not sure why this is?? When leaving after 9.30am (a non-peak time), the gold card discount drops the price to £25.60. However, I am unclear as to why the gold card is seemingly not giving a discount on a peak departure , non-peak return?

A Gold Card cannot be used before 09.30 on weekdays. A 26-30 Railcard can, subject to a minimum fare of £12.00 before 10.00.

 

[myusernameista]

Ahhh so the discount is essentially coming off the peak fare?

Do you know why the Gold card doesn't seem to discount the return trip?

 

[Hadders]

Do you know why the Gold card doesn't seem to discount the return trip?

if you purchased two single tickets - Hitchin to London in the morning that wouldn't qualify for a Gold Card discount and then a London to Hitchin Single that would attract a discount.

The problem is that combination will be more expensive than an undiscounted Hitchin to London Anytime Day Return.

Stevenage is my local station and if you're aged 31+ then there isn't really a way to make your commute cheaper using railcards.

 

[myusernameista]

Thanks for the replies. Makes sense, though I'm a tad disappointed