I'm getting ready to book our tickets for July 1 from Amsterdam to Hasselt [Belgium]. Since I always forget how old I am, I started by clicking the Adult link which is for folks up to age 59; once you're 60 or over, you're a Senior. But the big surprise when I went back and corrected was that the Senior ticket costs 10 euros more than the Adult - 35 euros instead of 45 - and is Full-Flex only, not non-refundable. Anyone know why? This just doesn't make sense to me. And [how can I ask this delicately; I'm not usually a rule-breaker] - how much checking do they do? For example, if I once again forget that I'm over 60, will that cause us problems on our trip?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
The Senior rate may (I did not check) include a discount over full fare while still retaining the flexibility of full fare. But it's not as cheap as the most deeply discounted, non-refundable, non-flexible rate that's available to anyone who books early. So go ahead and book the cheapest one if you're fine with any restrictions that apply.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7027 posts
What Laura said. It's entirely possible that they are giving seniors the discount only in the higher priced totally flexible, refundable, fares, maybe because that's what seniors more often purchase precisely because of the flexibility/refundability. The cheaper fares are always available to all adults without regard to age. So check before you buy and either buy the cheaper fare or accept the senior discount on the premium fares.
Posted by
OP
Reston, VA, USA
809 posts
Thanks for the quick responses! I went ahead and booked the super-cheap tickets for July 1, but I feel a lot better knowing that I'm not somehow scamming the system.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Amtrak has the same system, but actually warns you that a cheaper ticket than the senior price may be available.
The advantages of the senior discount is that it is can still be available even after the bigger discounts are gone (so non-seniors are stuck with full fares), and you get a lower price on a flexible ticket than a non-senior would pay. If you can live with the restrictions on the lowest fares, they beat the price of the senior discount.
Posted by
Green Bay
20084 posts
Did that once for a pair of advance tickets Geneva to Milan bought from SBB. Discovered that I was paying more (not that much more) with the "Senior" discount than my 20 yo wife.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6291 posts
Since I always forget how old I am...
Kathleen, LOL! Me too. I think psychologists have a word for that...