Great Western Coffee Shop

Do Railcards expire at 2359 on the date printed on the front?

Just wondering if, say, a discounted CDR was purchased and the return portion was being used after 0000 the next day?

I'd say yes, they do expire at 2359 on the date printed on them.

I wouldn't recommend starting a journey after midnight with an expired railcard the day after the last date printed on the card. You could be liable for a Penalty Fare or face prosecution. Starting a return journey that straddles midnight may be okay, but I'd seek clarification/permission from rail staff before doing so.

Whilst the return portions of Off Peak Day Returns are valid until 0429 the day after the date printed on them, there is no such condition for a railcard to also be used on the day after the expiry date printed on it.

Another thought, is the situation the same with seasons (i.e. up to 2359) too?

I cannot find any mention of the "0429 next day treatment" being applied to season tickets of any length (could be a problem for a commuter in London returning home late after a few jars maybe?).

I enquired at a tube office yesterday as my railcard actually expires today and was planning on taking a late service tonight (plans have now changed due to the weather).

Then said the discount will remain loaded onto my Oyster card until the station "updates" back onto the Oyster system at the end of the day.  This is at 0429 for tube stations, but is at various times between 0001 and 0429 for National Rail stations (the known issue where the day starts/ends at the wrong time at some stations...)

Though that being enforced would rely on tickets being checked that late at night which is rare (actually it's just as rare during the day on the (peak) trains I get but that's another issue)  ::) ::) :P