Overnight break of journey on SNCB Weekend tickets

[Watershed]

I understand from previous threads on similar topics that break of journey is permitted on SNCB tickets, provided one sticks to the shortest route. Does this extend to an overnight break of journey when using a Weekend ticket, or are these only valid on the exact outward and return dates selected (similar to Southeastern's Weekender fares)?

Is there an equivalent of the Routeing Guide's 3 mile 'leeway' (either officially, or de facto) which permits a route that is only marginally longer than the shortest route? For example, I presume break of journey would still be permitted at Gent after having taken a direct IC service from the Airport (via Brussels-Midi), despite that route being approx. 4km longer than the absolute shortest route (which avoids Brussels city centre via Bockstael and Ternat)?

Therefore, if holding a Brussels Airport to Bruges Weekend ticket, would it be permitted to use the outward portion to take a direct IC service to Gent on the Friday night, and then continue onto Bruges on the Saturday? Similarly, would it be permitted to use the return portion as far as Gent on the Saturday, and then complete the journey from Gent to the Airport on a direct IC service on Sunday?

If the above is permitted, would the ticket work the barriers at the relevant stations, and is it likely to be accepted by staff en-route despite potentially being scanned/clipped more than once?

Thanks in advance. Never used 'normal' tickets in Belgium before - only ever Interrails or Eurostar "Any Belgian Station" tickets - so don't really know the lie of the land there.

 

[johnnychips]

There are no ticket barriers ar Brussel Zuid, Gent St Pieters or Brugge. I don’t know about the airport. However, I would say I had my ticket checked by a guard much more often than not. I am sure the Belgian forum members on here will be along to help with validity questions soon.

 

[rg177]

Brussels Airport will have some kind of gateline as there's an extra supplement to pay on entry/exit.

 

[biko]

I’ve just bought some Weekend tickets and I had to select the dates for the outward and return dates. They will give you two separate dated portions so I don’t think you can do an overnight break of journey, only on the day on the ticket.

 

[rvdborgt]

The outward leg must be completed within one day, and the same for the return leg.
As to the shortest route: NMBS/SNCB no longer provide a way to determine what the shortest route is. So whatever looks OK on a map, goes.

 

[Watershed]

Thanks all. Shame about the 1-day validity each way, but oh well!