Free Family & Friends Railcard trial

Former_MSE_Andrea

Post written Tues 5 May 2009

What's it about?

National Rail is offering a free two month trial of the Family & Friends Railcard. Yet the trial ends 31 July so order yours sooner and it's possible you'll get more than two months' worth. The Family and Friends Railcard cuts a third off an adult's ticket and 60% off kids' tickets when you have at least one adult and one child travelling. You can have up to four adults and four kids travel on one card.

At the end of your trial you'll receive a special code to allow you to buy a 12 month Family & Friends railcard at 50% off. The card currently costs £24 yet is rising to £26 on 17 May so should cost you £13 with the offer. You'll be able to buy your half price railcard between 24 July and 21 August.

How do I get it?

The offer's available online only, not at stations. It's a promotion via the Daily Mail yet it's being offered to everyone. Go to the special Family & Friends Railcard web page and just fill in your details.

We have permission from National Railcards to offer it to everyone.

When does the offer end?

The offer finishes midnight on Wednesday 13 May.

What you get

As well as a third off most rail fares there's currently also free Youth Hostel Association membership and discounts on eating out. See the full list of offers available on the Railcard Website.

Are there any catches to the railcard?

The Railcard can't be used on weekday morning peak services entirely within the London and South East area. If you're unsure when these times are, as they differ according to the route, then check with your local station or call the National Rail Enquiries line on 08457 48 49 50.

Yet very occasionally some special fares (e.g. cheap London to York/Edinburgh) undercut it so check, but for regular train travel it's great.

For more train fare cost-cutting tips, read the full Cheap Train Tickets article

On previous occasions a similar offer's been on some people waiting until the last day to register have experienced problems so it's advisable to do it earlier rather than later.

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PS. Many thanks to MoneySaver frootbat for the top spot! This post has been added into the top of the discussion to provide a fully researched explanation.

frootbat

A Free two month Family & Friends Railcard for you!

Family & Friends Railcards give you epic savings on most train trips across Great Britain when you travel with at least one child. Up to four adults and four children can travel on one Family & Friends Railcard which gets you one-third off adult fares and 60 per cent off kids’ fares.



Apply Now For Your Two Month Family Railcard
This offer is free but you can only apply for it online from Tuesday May 5, up to May 13, 2009. Simply log onto;

www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/dailymail

frootbat

I hope I've done this post correctly!
Further info here,

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1176136/A-Free-month-Family--Friends-Railcard-you.html

EnglishWelshie

Thanks very much. What I also noticed on the site when registering was this.

Your trial Family & Friends Railcard will expire on 31st July 2009.
From 21st July 2009 (until 24th August 2009) you will be able to take advantage of the special 50% discount offer when you buy a 12-month Family & Friends Railcard online. So you might want to make a note of this date to ensure your Epic Savings continue - for only £13 for another whole year.
The code in the t&c's for the 1/2 price railcard is DAILYM09 and will be valid between 21st July and 24th August.

So 14 months for only £13 counting the free trial offer.

smiley64

Thanks for this!
Quick question: Can we apply for this now, or do we have to wait till Tuesday? Slightly confused :S

Auntycaz

Thanks for this frootbat
I wouldn't be without my railcard it saves me a fortune even when its full price. I think its an annual thing with the daily mail as my sister got one last year

denice37

:j thanks for this, just registered, great find.

bella165

glad its back saved me loads last year

Bargany

Thanks so much - a really useful post!

EssexHebridean

Just to warn anyone thinking about applying for this - you do have to travel with at least one child to make use of it. Just another area of life where it's acceptable to discriminate against childless families. :mad:

Thanks to the OP for posting the offer though - it will obviously be of interest to many.

bluemeanie999

thank you so much for this I'm taking my children for little weekends away so this will save me loads plus thank you about the half price deal too