FAQs

• Why do Railcard gift cards make great gifts?
• How much do Railcard gift cards cost?
• Where can I buy a Railcard gift card?
• Do I get the full value I load onto the card or are there hidden charges?
• Can I use my gift card straight away?
• Can I add more money onto my Railcard gift card?
• Can I buy a Railcard gift card online?
• Can I buy a Network Railcard or Disabled Persons Railcard gift card?
• How do I redeem my Railcard gift card?
• Can I redeem my Railcard gift card at a rail station?
• I already have a Railcard, can I renew my Railcard with my gift card?
• Can I use my gift card towards the cost of a 3 year Railcard?
• I have been given a 16-25 Railcard but want to buy a Family & Friends Railcard, can I switch?
• I have been given a Railcard gift card but I am not eligible for the Railcard, what do I do?
• I can't redeem my gift card online.
• Can I overspend on my gift card?
• When I received my gift card the silver waxy cover over the security PIN number had been removed, what shall I do?
• I need to redeem my Railcard gift card today for a Railcard, is it possible to do this immediately?
• How long will it take for my Railcard to arrive in the post?
• I have lost my Railcard gift card what do I do?
• The website says my gift card has not been activated, what do I do?
• How long is my gIft card valid for?
• How do I check the balance of my gift card?
• Can I get a refund on an unwanted gift card?
• My gift card has expired what do I do?
• Gift card terms and conditons.

Why do Railcard gift cards make great gifts?

It's sometimes difficult to know what to buy for a friend or family member. Railcard gift cards give you the chance to give a year's worth of discounted rail travel for £26. Railcard gift cards are available for 16-25 year olds, for Senior's aged 60+ and for anyone who would be travelling with at least one child aged 5-15.

How much do Railcard gift cards cost?

You can purchase a 1 year Railcard gift card for £26.

Where can I buy a Railcard gift card?

1 year Railcard gift cards are available through our secure website or from selected Sainsbury's, Tesco, Clinton Cards and WHSmith stores.

Do I get the full value I load onto the card or are there hidden charges?

There are no hidden charges, the £26 you load onto the gift card is yours or your recipients to spend. However the value on the card must be spent within 18 months of the value being added. After 18 months any monies left on the card will be lost and the card terminated.

Can I use my gift card straight away?

As long as your gift card has a balance of £26 you can visit www.railcardgift.co.uk and turn your gift card into a Railcard straight away.

Can I add more money onto my Railcard gift card?

No, your Railcard gift card can only be redeemed for a Railcard once and cannot be reloaded with more money.

Can I buy a Railcard gift card online?

Yes you can buy railcard gift cards through our sceure website.

Can I buy a Network Railcard or Disabled Persons Railcard gift card?

You can only buy Railcard gift cards for: 16-25 Railcard, Family & Friends Railcard and Senior Railcard.

How do I redeem my Railcard gift card?

Redeeming your gift card is easy and only takes a few minutes, but before you do please read our eligibility section to ensure that you are eligible for a 16-25 Railcard.

Before you begin to redeem your gift card please make sure you have the following to hand:

• A valid passport
• Or avalid UK driving licence
• A digital passport-style photo to upload 

To turn your gift card into a Railcard you need to visit www.railcardgift.co.uk and select your gift card type. For example if you have been given a 16-25 Railcard gift card, click or roll over the 16-25 Railcard gift card tab.

If you have never held a Railcard before select the 'Redeem my Gift Card' button and follow the onscreen instructions.

If you currently have or have held a Railcard in the past please select 'Renew my Railcard' and follow the onscreen instructions.

Can I redeem my Railcard gift card at a rail station?

You cannot redeem your gift card at a rail station. If you apply for a Railcard at a rail station and present your gift card for payment, the ticket staff will not be able to accept this as a method of payment. Please visit www.railcardgift.co.uk.

I already have a Railcard, can I renew my Railcard with my gift card?

Yes you can renew your Railcard with your gift card through our website www.railcardgift.co.uk.

To turn your gift card into a Railcard please visit www.railcardgift.co.uk and select your gift card type. For example if you have been given a 16-25 Railcard gift card, click or roll over the 16-25 Railcard Gift Card tab.

If you currently have or have held a Railcard in the past please select 'Renew my Railcard' and follow the onscreen instructions.

Can I use my gift card towards the cost of a 3 year Railcard?

No, you cannot use your gift card as part payment of a 3 year Railcard. Your gift card can only be used to purchase a 1 year Railcard through our website.

I have been given a 16-25 Railcard but want to buy a Family & Friends Railcard, can I switch?

You can only use your gift card to purchase a 1 year Railcard of the same type. For example if you have been given a 16-25 Railcard Gift Card, you can only use this to purchase a 1 year 16-25 Railcard via the website www.railcardgift.co.uk.

I have been given a Railcard gift card but I am not eligible for the Railcard, what do I do?

Unfortunately we are unable to offer refunds, so if you are not eligible for the relevant Railcard you might like to give your gift card to one of your friends or family who might be eligible.

I can't redeem my gift card online.

If you are having problems redeeming your gift card online please read the following:

If you cannot redeem your gift card online becasue you do not have a computer, please speak with your friends or family members to see if they can redeem your gift card for you by visiting www.railcardgift.co.uk.

If you are redeeming your gift card online and the website is not recognising your 13 digit gift card number please check your gift card balance by visiting www.whatsmybalance.co.uk/railcardgiftcard. Enter your 13 digit gift card number and it will confirm your balance.

If your gift card has a confirmed balance of £26 please try to redeem your gift card again by visiting www.railcardgift.co.uk and checking you are correctly entering the 13 digit gift card number.

If you are still having problems please call our customer support team on: 08448 714 133.

If your gift card has a confirmed balance of £26 and after calling our customer support team the system will still not accept your card number there maybe a problem with your gift card. Please take your gift card along with your receipt to the retailer  the gift card was purchased from and speak with their customer care team.

Can I overspend on my gift card?

No, it's not possible to spend more than the value on the card because the Railcard gift card is a gIft card and not a credit card.

When I received my gift card the silver waxy cover over the security PIN number had been removed, what shall I do?

Please call our customer support centre on 08448 714 133.

I need to redeem my Railcard gift card today for a Railcard, is it possible to do this immediately?

No, your Railcard will be despatched within one working day and sent to you free via Royal Mail First Class post. We are currently unable to offer alternative delivery options. 

How long will it take for my Railcard to arrive in the post?

Once you have successfully redeemed your gift card online for a 1 year 16-15 Railcard, your Railcard will be despatched within one working day and sent to you free via Royal Mail First Class post.

I have lost my Railcard gift card what do I do?

The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) cannot be held liable for cards, once activated, which are subsequently lost, stolen or damaged.

The website says my gift card has not been activated, what do I do?

Please call our customer support team on 08448 714 133.

How long is my gIft card valid for?

Your Railcard is valid for 18 months from the date of purchase. Plaese refer to the till receipt showing the purchase of the gift card for the date of purchase.

How do I check the balance of my gift card?

Please visit www.whatsmybalance.co.uk/railcardgiftcard and follow the onscreen instructions.

Can I get a refund on an unwanted gift card?

Unfortunately we are unable to offer refunds, so if you are not eligible for any of the Railcards you might like to give your gift card to one of your friends or family who are eligible.

My gift card has expired what do I do?

Once your gift card has expired it is not possible to reactivate your card. You have 18 months from the date of activation to redeem your Railcard gift card for a 1 year Railcard of the same type.

Gift card Terms and Conditons.

Please refer to our full terms and conditions.