Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
Hi,
Not strictly London travel related, but farly close: I've got a Gold Card which expires in about a week. I've just bought my partner a £1 Network Railcard before the GC expires, and it comes with one year's validity. As I don't plan to renew my Gold Card, can I buy myself a Network Railcard so I can get (more restricted) discounts for another year? Whilst the blurb talks about "family and friends" the online PDFs of the NFM didn't seem to mention any restrictions about who you can buy them for, or about buying one to use after the GC has expired. Thanks, Luke |
Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
|
Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
Hi,
Barry Salter wrote: You only get one "Partner's Card" (or Gold Card Network Railcard to give it its proper title) per Gold Card, and your Gold Card *should* be endorsed on the back when that's issued. That's interesting, because at a major London terminal this morning I bought two Network Railcards marked "Network Gold Card" at the same time (paid with a £2 coin!) with different names on them, and the member of staff only a glance at my Gold Card - no endorsement. Luke |
Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
John B wrote:
wrote: Barry Salter wrote: You only get one "Partner's Card" (or Gold Card Network Railcard to give it its proper title) per Gold Card, and your Gold Card *should* be endorsed on the back when that's issued. As far as I'm aware, to all intents and purposes the "Partner's Card" terminology that Network South East introduced for use with regards to the offer of a discounted Network Card for the 'partners' of Gold Card holders has died out. There used to be a special "Partner's Card" ticket stock used as well, but this stopped a few years ago (not sure when). That's interesting, because at a major London terminal this morning I bought two Network Railcards marked "Network Gold Card" at the same time (paid with a £2 coin!) with different names on them, and the member of staff only a glance at my Gold Card - no endorsement. Definitely not in the rules! You should only be able to buy a single discounted (i.e. £1) Network Railcard per Gold Card. I wouldn't be surprised by ticket offices not endorsing the Gold Card when they issue a discounted Network Railcard, but I'm surprised they issued you with two - in fact I'm surprised you asked. I presume you were just trying it on?! ...in which case, your best bet is to try and buy yourself the Network Railcard at a couple of stations; most likely someone will sell you one irrespective of the official rules. I detect an illicit business opportunity here! |
Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
Hi,
Mizter T wrote: Definitely not in the rules! You should only be able to buy a single discounted (i.e. £1) Network Railcard per Gold Card. I wouldn't be surprised by ticket offices not endorsing the Gold Card when they issue a discounted Network Railcard, but I'm surprised they issued you with two - in fact I'm surprised you asked. I presume you were just trying it on?! Until the replies in this thread I was under the (incorrect) impression that buying several was perfectly legitimate. I'd read the TfL fares guide and the "buy a Network Railcard for a relative or friend" had merged in my brain with "Travelcards for friends and family at an adult reduced price" which had given me this idea. I'd probably have been clearer if it had said something like "partner or close relative" rather than "friend". I detect an illicit business opportunity here! I did wonder why said business opportunity wasn't being milked by all and sundry! Yes, my interpretation above looks a bit stupid in the cold light of day, but previously I'd only taken a quick glance at the fares guide. Luke |
Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
|
Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
On 12 Oct 2006 03:10:28 -0700, "John B" wrote:
sued. That's interesting, because at a major London terminal this morning I bought two Network Railcards marked "Network Gold Card" at the same time (paid with a £2 coin!) with different names on them, and the member of staff only a glance at my Gold Card - no endorsement. ...in which case, your best bet is to try and buy yourself the Network Railcard at a couple of stations; most likely someone will sell you one irrespective of the official rules. When I handed in my gold card for a refund the station asked, out of interest, why I'd done so. Whew I said that I was only travelling about twice a week, and that often off-peak, they handed me a Network Railcard application form and suggested I complete it in my own name and return it with £1 BEFORE I gave them the Gold Card! Needless to say, I accepted their offer (and later wrote to the TOC commending the staff, without being too specific). In summary, rule adherence and checking is not rigorous. |
Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
Does this mean that the Gold Card discounts still apply even if the
holder's annual travelcard has expired? B. Ken wrote: On 12 Oct 2006 03:10:28 -0700, "John B" wrote: sued. That's interesting, because at a major London terminal this morning I bought two Network Railcards marked "Network Gold Card" at the same time (paid with a £2 coin!) with different names on them, and the member of staff only a glance at my Gold Card - no endorsement. ...in which case, your best bet is to try and buy yourself the Network Railcard at a couple of stations; most likely someone will sell you one irrespective of the official rules. When I handed in my gold card for a refund the station asked, out of interest, why I'd done so. Whew I said that I was only travelling about twice a week, and that often off-peak, they handed me a Network Railcard application form and suggested I complete it in my own name and return it with £1 BEFORE I gave them the Gold Card! Needless to say, I accepted their offer (and later wrote to the TOC commending the staff, without being too specific). In summary, rule adherence and checking is not rigorous. |
Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
ONscotland wrote:
Does this mean that the Gold Card discounts still apply even if the holder's annual travelcard has expired? B. The discounted (i.e. £1) Network Railcard that Gold Card holders can get for their partners is valid for a year from date of issue, irrespective of when the Gold Card expires. |
Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
Ken wrote: On 12 Oct 2006 03:10:28 -0700, "John B" wrote: sued. That's interesting, because at a major London terminal this morning I bought two Network Railcards marked "Network Gold Card" at the same time (paid with a £2 coin!) with different names on them, and the member of staff only a glance at my Gold Card - no endorsement. ...in which case, your best bet is to try and buy yourself the Network Railcard at a couple of stations; most likely someone will sell you one irrespective of the official rules. When I handed in my gold card for a refund the station asked, out of interest, why I'd done so. Whew I said that I was only travelling about twice a week, and that often off-peak, they handed me a Network Railcard application form and suggested I complete it in my own name and return it with £1 BEFORE I gave them the Gold Card! Needless to say, I accepted their offer (and later wrote to the TOC commending the staff, without being too specific). Writing to the TOC to commend their staff for breaking the ticketing rules sounds like a somewhat bizarre course of action IMO. When staff bend the rules for me - which I do appreciate - I'm normally a little effusive in issuing thanks to them, and might well tell friends and associates that 'Bob' in the ticket office at station X is a nice & helpful bloke, but I wouldn't write to the powers that be about it! In summary, rule adherence and checking is not rigorous. This whole thread would appear to very much confirm that! |
Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
On 13 Oct 2006 06:52:44 -0700, "Mizter T" wrote:
Needless to say, I accepted their offer (and later wrote to the TOC commending the staff, without being too specific). Writing to the TOC to commend their staff for breaking the ticketing rules sounds like a somewhat bizarre course of action IMO. When staff bend the rules for me - which I do appreciate - I'm normally a little effusive in issuing thanks to them, and might well tell friends and associates that 'Bob' in the ticket office at station X is a nice & helpful bloke, but I wouldn't write to the powers that be about it! It's not the first time I've written to my local TOC (WAGN then One) in praise of station staff, and (as I said) I wasn't specific about how they'd helped - just that they'd been helpful and friendly, not on the one occasion but on others too. |
Can I buy myself a discounted Network Railcard?
Ken Wheatley wrote:
On 13 Oct 2006 06:52:44 -0700, "Mizter T" wrote: Needless to say, I accepted their offer (and later wrote to the TOC commending the staff, without being too specific). Writing to the TOC to commend their staff for breaking the ticketing rules sounds like a somewhat bizarre course of action IMO. When staff bend the rules for me - which I do appreciate - I'm normally a little effusive in issuing thanks to them, and might well tell friends and associates that 'Bob' in the ticket office at station X is a nice & helpful bloke, but I wouldn't write to the powers that be about it! It's not the first time I've written to my local TOC (WAGN then One) in praise of station staff, and (as I said) I wasn't specific about how they'd helped - just that they'd been helpful and friendly, not on the one occasion but on others too. I see, I somewhat misread your original comment as suggesting that your letter might've commended the staff for doing something they shouldn't do, whilst perhaps not mentioning specific names. But of course now I re-read it I realise I misinterpreted your comments and I now see your letters of commendation weren't specific about how the staff had helped you, only that they had been v helpful. Apols. I'm sure that such letters of thanks are rewarding and greatly appreciated by the staff involved. I've many good things to say about the staff at my local station's ticket office, so next time there is some instance of particular assistance I'll be sure to dispatch a quick note. |
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