Hi all,

It's been recommended I get a railcard. After doing the maths, I'd save hundreds a year, or around there, to get one!

Railcard vendors

Firstly, I went to get a railcard from Nationail Rail — they literally own railcard.co.uk, so I (perhaps sillily) figured they were closest to the government, or the most 'official' / universal / standardised — but I discovered that UNiDAYS offers a discount on Trainline railcards!

Having used the Trainline app a couple times or so, I thought I'd give this discount a shot, but I discovered it only works for buying yearly railcards, not three-year ones. Thus, I lost interest, but wondered if I'd be better off just sticking with Trainline? Is there any benefit or difference at all between railcard... vendors (e.g. National Rail, Trainline...)? What / who even are all these? Why does it have to be this privatised mess? Why do I need seven novel different ways to pay for a train, when we could just have one fast, easy one?

Railcard interoperability

Secondly, the National Rail railcard checkout asked if I wanted:

• 1.) a digital railcard, which I presumed I could save to my Google Wallet, or
• 2.) a plastic railcard, which a Google Search suggested cannot be used digitally in any form.

I have the Trainline app on my phone. I presume a Trainline railcard is only useable when purchasing Trainline tickets? I assume so, given that payment occurs within the Trainline app. Mum said she uses her and my dad's trip.com railcard wherever... even though I'm fairly certain she does indeed use the trip.com app. My friend agrees that Trainline railcards probably only work with Trainline tickets, but I honestly have no idea how these work, so just thought I'd check.

Student bank accounts and railcard vendors

Lastly, I'm told they often come with setting up student bank accounts — having NOT done this, and having no real idea where to start (advice appreciated!), I presume the railcard vendor shouldn't really play into my decisions in this scenario? I honestly don't know what advantages any particular railcard would offer over one from another vendor, and cannot foresee any, but then it just beggars belief how many bloody options there are!

Thanks so much in advance, all :')) apologies if this is a longer read.