Hi! About a month ago, I wrote in about purchasing a ticket from Sion to St. Anton am Arlberg for me and my two kids, 17 and 14. At the time, I could not get the sbb website to accept my credit card, and purchasing was not given as an option on the app. It was more than 30 days out, so I figured that might be why. Anyway, our train travel is now within a 30 day window, so I tried again. I first tried the app, since everyone said that only American Express would work with the actual website. Strangely, the app still said I couldn't purchase this particular ticket yet. So on a whim, I tried the website again. It accepted my visa (which involoved a visa verified step)! I was shocked but very happy that this bug seems to be fixed.
So here is my new question. As I was selecting tickets, I learned that my 14 year old qualified for the Junior Travel card, which I can buy at the train station for CHF 15 (there seems to be a 50% sale right now - it is usually CHF30). When I purchased the actual tickets from Sion to St. Anton am Arlberg (first class), it allowed me to indicate that we would have the Junior card, and thus I received three tickets: a saver fare of CHF 85 for me, a saver fare of CHF 85 for my 17 year old, and a family reduction ticket for free for Isabella. First, does this sound correct? Is it simple to get the Junior Card at the train station and do I just need that and this free ticket for the 14 year old to travel that day? Second, these are pretty good prices, right (especially since it's 1st class)? I assume that since this is by far the longest day of train travel we will have in Switzerland, it is not wise to have a Pass or even a Half-Fare card. Do you all agree? Also, I made seat reservations on the Glacier Express portion and those were CHF 33 per person (CHF 99 total). I'm not sure how to connect my newly purchased tickets with the seat reservations. Do I need to do that or do I just bring evidence of both? Can I just use the tickets right off my phone or should I print everything?
Now here is my biggest question: The only other day when I know we need to take a train is when we arrive in Geneva. We need to take a 2 hour train to Sion. When I try to purchase these tickets, it does not even ask me whether I have a Junior Card for my 14 year old. It does give me her ticket at half price, but shouldn't it be free? Or do I not even need a ticket for her? Can she just accompany me with her Junior Card but without a ticket? Or should I buy her the 50% off ticket? The cost for the 3 tickets if we lock in a time is CHF 119. Given that the all day ticket (which includes a segment on the Glacier Express) was only CHF 170, doesn't CHF 119 for a 2 hour ride seem expensive? Is there a better way to do this? If we don't buy a ticket for the 14 year old, the total would be around CHF 95. What do you all suggest? Also, the tickets are more than twice as much if we buy flexible tickets. The fixed ticket makes me nervous though since we are flying, and with flights, there can always be delays. Would you all lock in, and if so, how big of a window should we leave? If we are ready to travel earlier than our scheduled train, are we allowed to? I am guessing not, but thought it was worth asking. Is there some cheap simple ticket I am missing for this leg of the journey? Sorry for all the questions but I am traveling alone with my two kids and just want to make sure I am totally prepared. Thanks!!