FAQs

Railcard Gift Cards

• 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 Senior Railcard gift card towards the cost of a 3 year Senior Railcard?
• I have been given a Senior gift card but want a Family & Friends or 16-25 Railcard, can I switch?
• I can't redeem my gift card online?
• I haven't got an email address what do I do?
• I haven't got access to the Internet what do I do?
• I redeemed my gift card by telephone, when should I expect to receive my Railcard?
• 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 do I do?
• I need to redeem my Railcard gift card today, 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?
• My gift card has expired what do I do?
• How do I check the balance of my gift card?
• How do I get a refund on an unwanted gift card?
• Gift card terms and Conditions

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.

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 Railcards are available to purchase through our 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 one 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 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?

You can purchase Railcard gift cards through our secure 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?

To turn your gift card into a Railcard you need to visit www.railcardgift.co.uk select your gift card type. For example if you have been given a Senior Railcard gift card, click or rollover the Senior Railcard gift card tab.

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

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

Alternatively, please call our Customer support team on 08448 714 133 who will be able to redeem your Railcard gift card on your behalf and your Railcard will be despatched within one working day. 

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

You cannot redeem your Railcard gift card at a rail station. If you apply for a Senior 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 1 year Railcard with your Gift Card.

To turn your gift card into a Railcard you need to visit www.railcardgift.co.uk select your gift card type. For example if you have been given a Senior Railcard gift card, click or rollover the Senior Railcard gift card tab.

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

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

No, you cannot use your gift card in part payment of a 3 year Railcard. Your gift card can only be redeemed against a 1 year Railcard.

I have been given a Senior gift card but want a Family & Friends or 16-25 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 Senior Railcard gift card, you can only use this to purchase a 1 year Senior Railcard via the website www.railcardgift.co.uk.

I have been given a Senior 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 any of the Railcards you might like to give your gift card to one of your friends or family who are eligible.

I can't redeem my gift card online?

If you cannot redeem your gift card online because 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.

Alternatively please call our Customer support team on 08448 714 133 who will be able to help you redeem your gift card over the telephone and once complete your gift card will be despatched within one working day and sent to you free by Royal Mail First Class post. 

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. www.whatsmybalance.co.uk/railcardgiftcard. Enter your 13 digit gift card number and your gift card balance will be confirmed.

If your gift card balance has a confirmed balance of £26 please try redeeming your gift card again and check you are entering the 13 digits correctly.

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 13 digit gift card number there maybe a problem with your gift card. Please take your gift card along with the receipt to the retailer the gift card was purchased from and speak with their customer service team.

I haven't got an email address what do I do?

Please call our Customer support team on: 08448 714 133 who will be able to redeem your Railcard gift card on your behalf and your Railcard will be despatched within one working day. 

I haven't got access to the Internet what do I do?

Please call our Customer support team on: 08448 714 133 who will be able to redeem your Railcard gift card on your behalf and your Railcard will be despatched within one working day. 

I redeemed my gift card by telephone, when should I expect to receive my Railcard?

Your Railcard will be despatched within one working day and sent to you free via Royal Mail 1st Class post. 

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 do I do?

Please call our customer support team on 08448 714 133.

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

No, whether you redeem your Railcard gift card online or by calling our customer support team on 08448 714 133 your Railcard will be despatched within one working day and sent to you free voa Royal Mail 1st 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 redeemed your gift card your 1 year Senior Railcard will be despatched to you within one working day and sent to you free via Royal Mail 1st 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 gift 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 gift card is valid for 18 months from the date of purchase. Please refer to the till receipt showing the purchase of the gift card for the date of purchase.

My Gift Card has expired what do I do?

Once your Railcard 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.

How do I check the balance of my gift card?

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

How do I get a refund on an unwanted gift card?

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds, so if you are not eligible for a Family & Friends Railcard you might like to give your gift card to one or your friends or family who are eligible.

Gift card terms and Conditions

Please refer to our full terms and conditions.