16-25? An opportunity not to be missed (Young Persons Railcard)

Member Name: simonh7

Product:	Young Persons Railcard
Date:	16/09/09 (190 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Spend your cash on things you actually want to spend them on, rather than transport

Disadvantages: A few restrictions

For anyone between the ages of 16 and 25, or those above 25 in full - time education, who are inclined to regularly use trains, especially for cross-country journeys, this railcard is a God-send!

The card costs £26, which can be recovered in savings in a single journey if long and expensive enough, as it knocks a third off all rail fares. Of course, there are exceptions, but a third off is actually a hell of a lot. I actually got my railcard for free when I signed up to a Natwest student account, so I literally had nothing to lose and have saved hundreds of pounds in the process.

When booking an online ticket, simply add this railcard to your order and a third of the price is instantly reduced, just make sure you carry the railcard when on your journey. When buying a ticket at the train station, simply flash it at the individual behind the desk, and yet again, a third disappears from the total cost!

For me, I occasionally travel the length of the country to visit mates at various uni's and this has saved me bucket-loads of much-needed cash. Add this to the occasional football matches I go to and not to mention one of my mates at uni, who has saved shed-loads of money by travelling down to London every other weekend from uni to follow his beloved Charlton Athletic.

For any student, this railcard is a must and so worth the £26 it is unreal. Obtain one through opening a student account at Natwest and you are literally laughing all the way to the bank! For example, a typical saver return from Nottingham to London weighs in at around £50 but with this railcard you're picking it up for approximately £33, which is a massive saving in reality and especially in these times of economic hardship.

So while these are the pro's, the con's are few and far between, but do exist in the form of restrictions. For example, the 16-25 railcard does not give discounts on season tickets, first class fares or on most London Underground or DLR tickets. In addition, for all journeys before or at 10am, Monday to Friday, a minimum fare of £12 applies for single and return fares. However, said minimum fares do not apply in July or August, on public holidays or at weekends.

In conclusion, you would be simply mad to not get one if you are eligible; save yourself some money!

Summary: Save money!