End of Railcard rate in 2025?

[HelenM]

I can’t seem to see where using the railcard code is actually giving 20% off the room rate. I have been looking at the Kimpton Everley in LA, the Best available rate for the dates I want is £259 but when I put in the railcard corporate code its only reduced to £257 – so I am only saving £2 but it does show as a 20% discount preferred partner rate – the only benefit seems to be the £259 is non-amendable and payable immediately but the £257 is cancellable until 3 days before. Am I missing something?

EDIT – the Best Flexible rate is £298 so its still not quite giving me 20% discount at £257

[NorthernLass]

I think it’s 20% off the best flexible rate rather than best available and it’s not always cheaper than the other rates. If the difference is minimal, however, it’s worth choosing the railcard rate for the cancellation terms over a non-refundable rate.

I’ve just been looking at a cheap mattress run to trigger a suite upgrade certificate and it’s showing £56 for the railcard rate and £54 for the non-refundable. The former is a better option if you’re not 100% sure you can make it.

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

The discount is based on the BFR rate.

If there are a lot of fixed fee taxes like in the US those aren’t discounted hence the discount not being exactly 20%

The main advantage of the RC rate is the improved cancellation terms over rates such as “member saver rates” etc which aren’t cancellable for free.

And of course the RC rate can be cancelled and rebooked of the rate goes down.