This is the information I found on this site:
Seniors (60 and older) who buy a Tarjeta Dorada (€6) can get a substantial discount on most train tickets. While it's not sold online, you can buy discounted tickets in advance, get this card at the station, and present both to conductors.
However, when I go to book...there is no option to choose the discount?
Advice, please and thanks...
That is correct. You can buy discounted tickets in advance IN SPAIN. You have to present the card to the ticket seller. You cannot get the card on line because you have to prove your age with your passport. Buy the tickets when you get there. You need to buy the card at the ticket window so buy everything together.
Once you have the card, you should be able to use the ticket-vending machines to buy tickets at the Tarjeta Dorada rate.
@Tracylynda
Are you completely sure? I am not a TD user but I believe it's mandatory to input your card's number WHEN purchasing online, therefore, until you have the card -which can only be purchased physically at the station-, in principle, you'll be prevented from purchasing tickets with TD discounts. You can, of course, purchase tickets with other discounts, but not with the pensioner's discount (which is what TD stands for). Again, I am not a TD user and I speak from memory.
What Enric has written aligns with my impression as of 2019, the time of my most recent trip to Spain. I don't know whether it has changed. I had one firmed-up trip long enough that I wanted to take advantage of the very low fare via early purchase, so I bought that ticket before leaving home and without the benefit of the TD discount. The rest of the tickets I purchased after arriving in Spain, when I was certain of my travel dates. It was only after I returned home that I learned you can use the ticket-vending machines to get TD-discount tickets, once you have the card. You shouldn't have to stand in line.
Is this discount available to US passport holders or EU only?
