In person or Online for Half-Fare Card?

When I have purchased passes in advance, I have had both electronic copies and paper copies, which is nice in the event the paper copy would be lost. I thought someone recently posted that buying in person now gives one an electronic copy, but I could be wrong. However, my experience is with the Swiss Travel Pass, not the half fare card.
Have a great trip.

The order form is mind-boggling extensive

Is this the one you are looking at?

https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/inspiration/international-guests/swiss-halffare-card.html

It seems to me that getting the cards ahead of time makes sense for such a large group. You probably don’t all want to line up at the counter and wait while each person is processed before you can continue on your journey.

I don’t see a group rate for the half fare card, I would be interested in learning about that.

There is a discount on train tickets for groups of ten or more and those you do have to book in advance

https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/tickets-for-switzerland/group-tickets.html

Now I am seeing on 3rd party sites and on the SBB website that it is possible as a US resident to order a one-month half-fare card for CHF120 or USD134 online so am more confused. And it appears from doing a dummy booking on both sites that the extensive application isn't required! This time-limited pass suits our needs and wallets if what I am seeing is an option vs. the yearly pass.

I don't think there is a group rate for purchasing the half-fare card, but the savings on Pilatus Silver r/t 1st class, for example, using each person's half-fare card and the 10 people discount is unreal. Based on 2022 rates, without any pass the price is 90.80CHF. Group rate with the half-fare card is only 32CHF!

Yes, the one month for 120CHF is the one you want. The yearly pass is only helpful for people who live here, or for those who travel here more than once in a calendar year.

Sounds like you will be able to get some great savings! Enjoy!

Per your other post of your itinerary, you said that some of your group are not going to the Berner Oberland, but going from Luzern to Zurich airport to return home. That was your reasoning for going Basel>Luzern>Berner Oberland>Zurich airport, rather than the more efficient Basel>Berner Oberland>Luzern>Zurich airport.

The people skipping the Berner Oberland will not benefit from Half Fare Cards as such. Basel>Luzern, Luzern>Pilatus>Luzern and Luzern>Zurich airport is only 152 CHF full fare, which is less than the 240 CHF break even point for Half Fare Cards.

@Sam Great recall from a previous post of mine!
Thanks. If any couple, not part of our core group of 10 extending our holiday post-river cruise, does choose to spend a few days in Lucerne I will let them know your advice re: train.
I think I'm getting a handle on how to handle the logistics for us all. DH and I had a rental car on our 3 previous trips to Switzerland so navigating the SBB options has been a challenge!

Riding Swiss trains is not a challenge, it is a pleasure. All lines have at least one train every hour in each direction, and more often on busy stretches like Basel-Luzern or Luzern-Zurich. No need for reservations as a ticket is good for the entire day. Miss a train and another will be along by and by. The challenge is finding the most cost effective option out of the plethora of choices. The 30-day Half Fare Card is often the most cost effective and flexible option, as long as your travel exceeds the 240 CHF full fare nut.

It is actually not needed to already have the Half Fare Card in order to be able to purchase tickets with half fare reduction. You will only asked to show it once the tickets are checked on the train.

You should also pay attention that you are not buying the domestic version of the card...
So you an already buy the group ticket if you want, and then buy 10x the Half Fare Card at the station.

@WengenK
Danke! Probably it will be easier if each couple pre-purchases the half-fare card while still at home. It is good to know that we can pre-book our train journeys ahead of time and that we are not bound to a specific train that day. My travel co-planner has agreed to be point person for group bookings on SBB but I will be guiding her in the process.
Off-topic, but do you have an idea of next year's cow parade date? We will be in Wengen from 7 to 11 September. We will all be staying in the Penthouse Stella Alpina not far from Hotel Faulhorn.

Cow parades are always decided at the last moment. The farmers want to make as much cheese as possible up there, and will only come down once the gras is gone. So the dates will only be known a week or so in advance.