Friends and Family Railcard- Forced to buy duplicate - What can I do with it?

KerryGold

Hi there,

After a period of illness, I took my kids on a day out today and forgot to bring my F&F Railcard. The people at the station told me that even though I could prove I was a cardholder by logging into my account, I had to buy another card for my tickets to be valid.

My original card only cost me £23 but I had to pay £30 today (cheaper than the non-discounted fare).

In my opinion, it's beyond ridiculous that I now have 2 valid cards. Do what can I do with the spare one?

Can I get a refund? Or give it to someone else?

I'm furious and so can't cope with the wasted money...

Thanks!

Quentin

You agreed the TS and cs when buying the card.

Spilt milk now.

Nothing you can do except make sure you have it with you next time.

(And learn to accept responsibility for your own mistakes. Presumably you are "furious" with yourself!(

t0rt0ise

Keep the one with the longest time left on it obviously.

KerryGold

Wow, the least friendly reactions I!!!8217;ve ever had here.

I don!!!8217;t need 2 cards and was hoping to see someone get some use out of the spare.

I think it!!!8217;s ridiculous in this day and age that electronic proof does not suffice. However, I just wanted to know if there was anything legal I could do with the spare to save such waste...

p00hsticks

from the website FAQS;

Q: What happens if I don't have my Railcard with me and I have to buy a new ticket or pay a Penalty Fare?

A:
If you are travelling by train on a ticket with a Railcard discount, you must travel with your valid Railcard. If you forget your Railcard you will either be required to buy a new ticket or you may on certain services be liable for a Penalty Fare. However, a train company will normally allow you to claim back this extra expense on the first occasion in each year where this happens. Each train company will have their own process for doing this. You will need to provide proof of your Railcard and either the original and additional tickets that you have purchased, or if you have not yet paid, details of the notice to pay or notice of Penalty Fare. Where you have already paid for additional tickets you should contact the relevant train company!!!8217;s customer services department; in the case of a notice to pay of notice of Penalty Fare, you should follow the instructions included on how to challenge or appeal the charge.

https://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/help/faqs/refunds-replacements/

Note the link above also includes contact details (e-mail address, phone & post) to get in touch with the railcard office

custardy

KerryGold wrote: »

Wow, the least friendly reactions I!!!8217;ve ever had here.

I don!!!8217;t need 2 cards and was hoping to see someone get some use out of the spare.

I think it!!!8217;s ridiculous in this day and age that electronic proof does not suffice. However, I just wanted to know if there was anything legal I could do with the spare to save such waste...

You mistake unfriendly with factual.
you hoped but its not the case.

Quentin

KerryGold wrote: »

. , I just wanted to know if there was anything legal I could do with the spare to save such waste...

See #2

There is nothing you can do legally with the spare.( If you wanted to pass it on to someone else you needed to name them when buying it)

Couldn't you get a refund for the unused tix?

Also try for a goodwill gesture over the second card you bought but didn't needm

p00hsticks

Quentin wrote: »

Couldn't you get a refund for the unused tix?

Also try for a goodwill gesture over the second card you bought but didn't needm

From my reading there aren't any 'unused tix' - the OP bought a second F&F card in order to make the tickets they already had valid for travel

KerryGold

Correct. I have an unused railcard, not unused tickets.

Seems as though I should have been advised to buy full price tickets and get them refunded as a one-off first time offense gesture.

I always try to help people and simply saying "tough luck" doesn't help anyone. There are friendlier ways to share the same bad news.

I won't make the same mistake again!

K.

agrinnall

KerryGold wrote: »

There are friendlier ways to share the same bad news.

But it doesn't make the news any less bad. Perhaps you should have told us what you expected to hear and then we could have just said that.



Are you sure you're cut out for interacting on the internet?

kinger101

I believe you were entitled to buy a replacement (i.e., not new) family and friends railcard for a fee of £10.

https://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/help/lost-stolen/

Seems like a staff training issue. They should have known this.