BahnCard

The rail card (proper spelling: Railway Card) is a fee-based discount card of Deutsche Bahn AG. It entitles the holder to discounts on certain tickets and is used for customer loyalty. It is comparable to the Austrian Advantage Card and the Swiss half-fare card, respectively. the general season.

The end of 2012 had 4.9 million people a rail card. More than half of sales in the DB long-distance transport was 2007 BahnCards discounted tickets (as of 2007). Rail card owners can bahn.comfort, to earn for sales points loyalty program bahn.bonus and at frequent traveler program.

The usual since 2002 selling the rail card subscription is the subject of criticism and of court decisions.

• 2.1 Bahn Card 25
• 2.2 Bahn Card 50
• 2.3 BahnCards 100 2.3.1 History and Statistics
• 2.3.2 Tax Information and Privacy

• 3.1 World Champion -Bahn Card 25
• 3.2 Hertha BSC rail card 25
• 3.3 Environmental rail card
• 3.4 BahnCard 25
• 3.5 Sample -Bahn Card 25
• 3.6 Sample -Bahn Card 25 with 100 % green electricity
• 3.7 anniversary rail card
• 3.8 Bahn Card 25 mobile plus
• 3.9 beginner rail card 25
• 3:10 Gold rail card 25

• 4.1 City Ticket 4.1.1 Participating cities and Scope

History

Precursor

As a forerunner of today's rail card it was years ago at the German Federal Railways, the so-called pocket money, junior, families or senior passes, each guaranteed a discount of 50 % on the normal price. At Deutsche Reichsbahn children age limit was until October 1990 at 16 years, which meant that the children could go to 50 % of the normal price. For students of the student ID was considered a 50% discount privilege, for travel between place of origin and place of residence study as much as 75 %.

1955 was introduced by the then Federal Minister for Family Affairs Franz -Josef Wuermeling the discounted train tickets for large families. The corresponding authorization card, could be purchased with the April 1999 discounted tickets for children, is still known today as " The Wuermeling ". Popularly The Wuermeling was also called rabbit pass.

1976 seniors pass was introduced, the men aged 65 and women aged 60 years (as well as early retirees ) granted a discount of 50 percent on long-distance fares. Later the pocket money, junior and family through. In order tickets on the Federal Railway tariff could be bought for half the price, first from 31 km, then from 51 km, later - with additional purchased token - without restriction. On ticket to regional transport associations and special S-Bahn tariffs However, there was usually no discount. In addition, preference cards were offered, granted 20 percent discount.

In the early 1990s offered the German railways for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years for the 40 DM pocket money passport to with which young people could go one year at half fare. ( In the German Federal Railways young people had to pay over 12 years the full fare, with the Deutsche Reichsbahn from 15 years). For 18 - to 22 -year-old as well as pupils and students up to 26 years, a Junior Pass for 110 DM was offered, with the also the regular fare could be cut in half for a year. In addition, the hitchhiker -month ticket was offered for the same group, the legitimate within a month for unlimited travel in 2nd class ( without ICE ). It cost 290 DM ( West Germany ) and 320 DM ( for the entire country ).

Introduction ( 1992)

The rail card was introduced on 1 October 1992. First, while the map of the second class was introduced to the market, followed by the First rail card for the first class and, at Christmas, gift certificates for the new product. By the end it was sold 650,000 times. One reason for the introduction of the rail card lay in the customer loyalty, having acquired with the introduction of the ICE last year, the long-distance passenger greater acceptance. In its introduction, the map was the focus of advertising and communication activities of the former Federal Railroad. The card was doing marketed under the slogan One year at half price. The television advertising campaign for the new product has been awarded several times. Another reason had been present the benefit of long-distance travel. According to Deutsche Bahn meant the introduction of the rail card, along with the introduction of the ICE, the most significant boost to the attractiveness of transport since the Second World War.

The price for card insertion in October 1992 was 110 D- Mark at 220 D- Mark, for seniors and juniors. With their acquisition, reduced the price of a normal ticket 2nd class by 50%. With tickets for the first car class, the reduction was 50 % of the price of 2nd class plus the full difference, so that a reduction of 33 % for the 1st class showed. The validity of the train card was one year. She was personal and not transferable.

The sale of the rail card First, initially for 440 DM, began on November 16, 1992, the first date was the 1st December 1992. With her ​​there was in the first class, a reduction of 50 %.

As a first transport association Rhein- Main Transport Association recognized from 1995 to the rail card. BahnCards owners were able to solve the RMV ticket to a composite rate for young people, with a discount of 40 percent. In return, could RMV customers use the Interregio free of extra charge, commuter and time maps of the RMV were recognized at an additional cost in the IC, EC and ICE.

On 1 April 1999, the validity of the rail card subscription was raised from 12 to 13 months. At the same time received BahnCards customers four free seat reservations. These offers were later terminated.

In mid-2002 the number of rail card customers was given as three million, although this figure had been stable for several years prior to 2002.

Price System - Changes (2002)

End of June 2001 it was announced that would be reduced from 50 to 25 percent as part of the planned for the end of 2002 the new price system of the discount train card. It was initially intended to leave the "old" rail card after the start of the new tariff system for a one-year transition phase is in the range. After the railway information at that time, the share of rail card customers who used their card exclusively in transport (and thus could not benefit from the discount components of the new pricing system ) at two percent.

The newly designed rail card limited the amount of discount to 25 %, but extended the discount applies to all ticket offers. Thus, a price security for the client was created, explained the Bahn.Der price has been reduced from 140 to 60 € (2nd class ) or from 280 to 150 € ( 1st class). Parents could buy their own rail card for five Euros for their own children over 6 years.

The abolition of the previous 50 per cent rail card came in a variety of criticism. Pro Bahn handed Federal Transport Minister Manfred Stolpe 10,000 signatures calling for the preservation of the existing rail card. In the first half of 2003, the number of train card holders of about 3 dropped to about 2.5 million. This development put a German train times to meet with a broad-based advertising campaign in which, among others, 150,000 two-month BahnCards the first class were given away to former rail card owners. Moreover, tried the German railway and the Federal Environment Ministry to extend the 25 percent discount of the new card on public transport networks. Passenger transport associations and politicians called for the reintroduction of the 50 - percent - rail card. In presenting the annual balance sheet in 2002, on 21 May 2003, the Railway Board refused.

Price system reform ( 2003)

The German train was the beginning of July 2003, the reintroduction of the 50 - percent - rail card on August 1, 2003. Although now known as rail card 50 card could not be combined with early booking discounts, on the other hand, received up to four on the ticket of a rail card - holder - 50 I travel a passenger discount of 50 percent. Your price increased, compared to the December 2002 marketed rail card from 140 to 200 euro (2nd class ) or from 280 to 400 € ( 1st class). At the same time the price of the rail card now known as rail card 25 has been reduced from 60 to 50 € (2nd class). Owner of the web Card 25 were given the opportunity to switch to pay the difference on the rail card 50. In addition, the rail card was introduced as a successor to the 100 network card. The ability to combine the rail card 25 with early booking discounts, had been initially scheduled to end September 30, 2004, was 2004, however, extended without limit.

On the first three days of sales 50,000 Bahn Card 50 were sold (including a part as a return from the rail card 25) and 400 copies of the rail card 100 in the first ten days 150,000 BahnCards were sold, of which around 80 per cent rail card 50 2nd class. In the first month 270,000 Bahn Card 50 were sold. In the same period 86,000 BahnCards 25 were sold.

Further development

After the train card business and the customer service was for twelve years conducted by the Bertelsmann subsidiary of arvato in Lower Saxony Wilhelmshaven (from 1995 initially for Citibank and in 1999 directly for the car), took over on 1 March 2007, the railway-owned service company DB Dialog this business. This sourcing occurs due to company policy considerations within the pathway to counteract excess staff capacity of the DB dialog. For the first time since the introduction of the product BahnCards in 1992, the railway took over thus responsible for managing the complete rail card business and taking care of the railway Card customers.

The end of 2003, the Association of German Transport Companies turned against the claims of DB CEO Hartmut Mehdorn to recognize the rail card in urban transport.

2004, 14.9 million membership cards of the ADAC has been recognized as rail card 25 in both classes at four week of April ends.

The organization of the rail card - system was carried out from April 2006 by a consortium led by Loyalty Partner. The daily up to 22,000 cards are produced by GHP. As a result, the change has resulted in significant problems and delays in the preparation of the maps.

In May 2007, the German railway parts of the rail card business wrote again. For an expected contract value from 2.8 to 4.0 million euros, the Contractor shall take effect from 1 December 2007 on 30 months pre-filtering of the correspondence with the Railway Card customers. It is expected a rise of about 900,000 letters, 650,000 emails and 10,000 faxes per year. About 50 percent of the invoice should be dealt with in full at this stage. The end of 2007 it was announced that the train card service is to be shifted back to the path again. In early 2011, Loyalty Partner were known to operate the rail card business for another six years.

From 2004 until the end of 2007 the number of railway Card customers grew by one million to 4.01 million. 2003, there were 2.7 million BahnCards in circulation, in the following year 2.9 million. 2005, there were 3.2 million, 3.5 million in 2006. 2007, approximately 4 million BahnCards were counted. According to the company in early 2008 had more people a rail card than ever before.

A study from 2004 showed that BahnCards customers use the train more frequently and any alternative means of travel into account much rarer than customers without rail card. While the respondents took 5.0 rides per year on average without rail card, there were 17.7 annually and at the rail card 100 34.0 rides for holders of railway Card 25 per year 11.8, railway Card 50.

In September 2012, 4.8 million people had a rail card. Abroad, 83,000 rail card holders living in 149 countries.

Railway Card holders traveling over long distances, according to the Deutsche Bahn ICE and IC traffic since April 1, 2013 CO2-free. The electrical energy required 'll obtained entirely from renewable sources. BahnCards have since been issued in a new design with a green stripe.

Credit card function

BahnCards with credit card functions were there from 1 July 1995 to 30 March 1999, there again since August 3, 2009.

In cooperation with Citibank three variants were offered from 1995 to 1999:

The validity of the cards with payment function was two years ago, the. Regular rail card without payment function continues at one year It was converted from a day to a month - exact validity - the cards were valid until the end of the same month the following year. As of the date all BahnCards were printed with a photo of the owner. With this change, the fee for replacement cards ( in case of loss ) of 50 D- Mark was lifted, a dining-car voucher for five D- Mark (who was sent with new cards ) should compensate for the costs of photography. The customer data and photos were processed this in the U.S., which called privacy advocates on the plan.

The introduction of the rail card with payment function was characterized by numerous periods: For example, the application form initially used did not require to order a rail card without payment function. In addition, it was sometimes lasting several months delay in the delivery of the card and misdirection of cards. Consumer advocates criticized bonuses (amounting to a D- marks per rail card ), the railway employees each sold rail card received. The "new rail card " advertised card sold sluggishly. Instead of the hoped 1.5 million BahnCards with payment function to the end of May 1996, only 390,000 copies were sold. The rail card with payment function was set April 1, 1999 due to low demand.

3 August 2009, the German railway in cooperation with Commerzbank with the " rail card credit card " again a railway pass with credit card function. A " basic version " is offered at a price of 19 euros per year, an insurance benefits added to " platinum version" for 49 euros, referred to as Premium to 31 March 2011 (both for free rail card -100 - owner). For the sales of this card, additional bonus points will be awarded (one point for every two euros turnover in the DB itself or a point for every three euros turnover with third parties ), 1st class tickets also bring in a rail card First with credit card function 1.5 Reward Points per euro. The validity of the credit card corresponds to the validity of the rail card, but the credit card in case of termination of the rail card must be terminated separately. The combined map shows on the front of the credit card number on the back and small printed the rail card number. The card with a credit card function is additionally exposed to the normal rail card; Since April 1, 2010, the conditions of carriage include the obligation to return the conventional rail card upon receipt of the card with a credit card function. Since October 2013, the credit card function in the standard version is also for holders of a rail card 25 or 50 free rail card, which have a rail card for 1st class.

Current tariff system

Since August 2003, there are three different railway Card Types: Railway Card 25, Card 50 rail and rail card 100, each with versions for the 2nd and 1st class. The railway Card 25 /50 valid for one year and may be purchased only by subscription. If it is not terminated at least six weeks before the expiration date, so their duration is automatically extended for another year. For business customers, there are some exceptions to this rule. The rail card 100 may, however, either for one year ( pre-payment of the total sum ) or monthly subscription (minimum term 1 year, then monthly termination ) are acquired. In the event of an extension of the rail card the current conditions, which may differ from the previous apply. A notification occurs only if the changes in the last 4 weeks have come into force before the extension. The customer a special right is granted.

Besides its function as a discount card rail card can be used among other things as an identification card for online tickets and mobile tickets as well as to pay by direct debit from the vending machine. Railway Card holders can book tickets on the printed on the card rail card or, for frequent riders on the bahn.bonus comfort hotline.

Train cards can be purchased at ticket counters, inter alia, immediately a provisional rail card can be issued for immediate departure. Since June 15, 2008 can be directly printed out as an online ticket with an online order, the tentative map.

When you buy the rail card 25 and 50 also an insurance package (travel - insurance, travel luggage insurance, accident insurance ) can be completed.

BahnCards customers regularly receive offers of Deutsche Bahn, for example, Rider offers and the opportunity, a railway pass of the second class to be able to temporarily use for 1st class.

The end of 2008 were 3.989 million BahnCards outstanding, end of 2009, the number stood at 4.071 million.

According to the company web card data will be deleted one year after the expiry of each card.

Railway Card 25

By Rail Card 25 25 % discount on normal prices and the low prices are granted. It can be combined with the rider off, as far as a budget price ticket is purchased. The rail card costs 25 Euro 61, for 1st class 123 euros per year for the 2nd class. Therefore, a savings effect settles a summated normal price of 236 euros in 2nd class and 476 euros in the first class ( four times the BahnCards price), unless otherwise low prices, special offers or BahnCards be used.

Partner and children ( under 18 years) for holders of rail card holder 100 and the annual card on application, the rail card 25 during the term of the underlying tickets for free.

Families with at least one child under the age of 19 can purchase additional cards, each cost 10 euros for live-in partner and children. For you 10 euros get young people up to 18 years, a youth -Bahn Card 25 This is true in both car classes up to 19th birthday. The offer was introduced to the timetable change in December 2005. In September 2012, had almost 700,000 young people this rail card.

Since 9 December 2007, the Rail Plus offer is already included in the purchase price of the card.

1.2 million Bahn Card 25 were sold between mid-December 2002 and end- June 2003. In the fall of 2004 the number of rail card -25 owner was around 1.4 million. In December 2007, 2.23 million train Card 25 were in circulation. The number of rail card -25 users is growing, according to the company, since early 2006, faster than the train card holders 50 (November 2007). End of 2008 the number of rail card 25 end of 2009 was 2.219 million, with 2.338 million. According to the company undertake BahnCards 25 owners an average of ten train journeys per year ( as of 2007).

During the World Cup in 2006 the railway offered a world champion track Card 25, 2007 Hertha BSC rail card 25 (see below). The introduction of a discounted rail card 25 for seniors was announced in December 2008, but was rejected with the deletion of the proposed "Operating surcharge ". The terms of the proposed map were not disclosed.

From 4 February to 31 July 2009, the railway rail card 25 rebate granted for the first time limited to permanent special offers. Since December 13th, 2009, BahnCards 25 discount will be granted for permanent special offers. Since 1 January 2010 the discount will be granted for the budget price. Before this date, the track owners 25 granted a rail card only contains a fixed discount of 5 euros on European special offers.

On station festivals mark the 175th anniversary of the railway in Germany the rail card 25 has been sold in the second half of 2010, partly for 29 euros.

For December 12, 2010, a reduced rail card 25 has been introduced. It costs ( since 9 December 2012) 41 euro (2nd class) or 81 € ( 1st class). It can be purchased by students, trainees and students (under 27 years ), and seniors and disabled persons. Since then BahnCards 25 owners can purchase for spouses and partners a railway pass 25 as a partner card at a discounted price. The rail card 25 has since been always issued without photo and only applies in connection with an identity card.

Youth -Bahn Card 25

Youth -Bahn Card 25 with bahn.comfort status

Railway Card 50

By Rail Card 50 50 % discount will be deducted from the normal price; a combination with saving prices is excluded.

The rail card 50 costs ( since 9 December 2012) for 2nd class EUR 249 per year ( 1st class: 498 EUR ); thus setting off a normal price of 498 euros in 2nd class ( 996 € in 1st class ) of the savings effect, provided that no other low prices, special offers or BahnCards be used. The reduced price is 127 € (1st class: 252 euros ) and applies, for apprentices and students up to 26 years the age of 60, spouses and partners (same household ) and severely disabled ( one degree of handicap of 70). Journalist ( with press card ) received from 2004 to April 15, 2012 also this discount (press discount), continue to persons receiving a pension for complete reduction. Here is from a normal price of 254 euros in 2nd class ( 488 € in 1st class ) of the savings effect, provided that no other low prices, special offers or BahnCards be used.

To introduce the railway Card 50 1 August 2003 could, in contrast to rail card, Children are admitted under 15 years free of charge, each additional rider (even without rail card ) drove for half the normal price. The discount granted initially for holders of a rail card 50 second-class in the amount of 33 percent on tickets first class was abolished.

According to the conveyor track 50 card holders take an average of about fifty train journeys per year ( as of 2007).

Beginning of 2008, 1.8 million rail card 50 in circulation (as at April 2008). The end of 2008, the number of train card holders was 1.738 million, 1.698 million at the end of 2009.

BahnCards 100

By Rail Card 100 you can take as many trips with Deutsche Bahn at no additional cost. The card itself is seen as a ticket - a separate ticket is required. Excluded are trains from DB AutoZug. For any use requiring a reservation trains such as the ICE Sprinter and CNL trains ( night trains ) must be completed by train card 100 a ( paid ) reservation. BahnCards 100 customers will automatically bahn.bonus comfort customers per working day can send a piece of luggage free of charge to and from the place of origin and - where possible - take bikes for free. For the latter, in the long-distance traffic a free reservation is required, but is not available online for these customers. New customers receive for car and bike sharing 20 and 10 Euro credit, car sharing can be used for business conditions ( five percent discount on a time and mileage charges ).

The rail card costs 100 (1st class: 6890 EUR ) for Class 2 at immediate payment 4090 € for one year. The rail card 100 is also available in the subscription for 379 euros per month ( 1st class: 639 euros, as of August 2013, respectively ). The subscription is automatically extended by one year if it is not terminated at least six weeks prior to expiration.

Children under 18 years and partners will each receive a rail card 25 ( Additional Card), if at least for a child under the age of 18, which lives in the household, an additional card is purchased. Tickets for children under 6 years are not issued. Since December 12, 2010 is also the possibility of a discounted rail card 25 or 50 for the partner to acquire the partner card.

For the map, the term is used colloquially Black Mamba. This was used by Harald Schmidt in 2009.

History and Statistics

The rail card 100 replaced as a single, personal offer the hitherto available range of different network cards.

The German Reichsbahn offered in 1939 to a range of network cards for the whole network, 21 subnets ( each about 7,000 km trail network) and 130 districts (each 1100 km route network ). They were valid for a month and cost between 40 Reichsmark (district map 3rd grade ) and 320 Reichsmarks ( entire network, first class). In addition, district - part monthly passes for 16 and 21 Reichsmark ( 3rd or 2nd class) were available. In the German Federal Railroad a personal network card for 2nd class around 1964 2600 D- Mark had cost. In 1971, she cost 3,100 DM for the 2nd and 4,200 DM for the first class. As recently as 1994 were personal and transferable year network cards as well as personal monthly tickets available for the total and for subnets (of about 5,400 km each scope ). Beginning of 1996 had cost 7,250 D- Mark 's personal network map of the 2nd class.

The rail card 100 was introduced on 1 August 2003 as the successor of personal network card. It was later renamed Mobility rail card 100 and is sold since April 1, again in 2011 under the name rail card 100. On December 12, 2004 100 covers the rail card the City Ticket.

In 2003, after the introduction of the card, the number of rail card -100 - owner end of 2004 was around 14,000, with around 12,000. Beginning of 2005, around 15,000 rail card 100 in circulation, in early 2008 there were about 29,000, about 32,000 in late 2008. The end of 2009, the number of rail card -100 - owner at 35,000, in the spring of 2011 was approximately 36,000, and in September 2012 at around 40,000.

In April 2013, the network card counted 41,000 owner. At this time, planned the German railway, 100 to introduce a discounted rail card for seniors. It will cost more than half the regular price.

According to the company, a typical rail card -100 - owner is male, over 40 years old, live in a metropolitan area, drive around 200 times a year and often navigate to the same goals.

Tax Information and Privacy

If the renewal card from the employer made ​​available without the employer saved travel expenses at least equal the value of the rail card, it is taxable in full as non-cash benefit. The cost of the rail card 100 1st class exceed the cap limit of 4500 euros of the traveling allowance for travel to the work site, where according to § 9 Section 2 Income Tax Act but also the actual costs incurred can be carried on public transport. If the rail card 100 First has only been procured in the previous year, but it remains in the cap limit.

In the card, an electronic key (RFID ) is integrated for DB Carsharing. Privacy advocates complain that the company would not sufficiently indicate that fact. A card without a chip does not offer the course. Among other things, the integration of RFID chips as well as the compulsion to submit a photo of the acquisition, the company received in 2007 a ​​Big Brother Award. Since December 2012, no more photos on the rail card 50 are printed.

Railway Card Business

Since 12 June 2011 offered as a web business card a railway pass for bahn.corporate customers. Since the end of 2011 is the use of the benefits for enterprise customers, such as discounts and extended deadlines ticket redemption, only possible for holders of these rail card. While the prices of the corresponding BahnCards corresponded to the end of 2011 where the regular BahnCards the end of 2011 was the price to 60 or 120 euros ( 2./1.Klasse ) for the rail card business 25 or 280/560 euros for the rail card business 50 raised. Unlike other BahnCards no subscription is concluded for the rail card business; they must be re- applied for each year.

Specials

The German railway offered on various occasions special forms of rail card with limited validity of 25 at a reduced price. These maps, provided there is no termination, after the validity automatically in a BahnCards 25 subscription converted.

According to Deutsche Bahn AG, a considerable share of the action BahnCards changing hands over to a regular rail card subscription.

World Champion -Bahn Card 25

Before the start of the soccer World Cup in 2006 the railway offered from 1 April to 9 June, the World Champion -Bahn Card 25 at. The card had the same functionality as the web Card 25 and cost 19 euros. The validity of the card was dependent on the success of the German national soccer team. If the national team was eliminated in the preliminary round, the card would have applied to the end of July. For each additional round reached, the validity extended by one month - until 31 December, when Germany would have won the World Cup. Due to the semi-finals, a validity found until 31 October 2006. This bahn.bonus points were for the purchase of the card up to 500 instead of up to 250 otherwise credited.

Until 9 June 2006, the card sold 400,000 times. From 10 to 12 July 2006, the map was once again available. Overall, the World Champion -Bahn Card 25 was 423,000 times sold ( other source:. 418,000 times). Was the planned sales, according to the company, at 100,000

At the end of the validity of the card, the holder of this card received an offer to purchase a rail card 25 at the regular price. If you register by December 31, 2006 while a travel voucher in the amount of 25 Euros was offered.

According to the web over 90 percent of the world champion -Bahn Card customers had purchased its first rail card; 80,000 customers have also bought following the action a regular rail card. The marketing was accompanied by an advertising campaign with Michael Ballack, which included a television commercial.

Between 1 May and 17 July 2011 edition of the World Champion rail card 25 has been sold. Their validity was four months. In addition to the owner and four passengers were able to take the train card to claim the discount. The card has been sold more than 200,000 times.

Hertha BSC rail card 25

Similarly, the World Champion rail card offered the train from 1 August to 15 September 2007 in cooperation with the Berlin Bundesliga club Hertha BSC a rail card 25 second class. This cost 29 euros. The validity was, as with the World Champion rail card depending on the sporting success of a football team. For every victory for Hertha BSC in the eight away games of the Bundesliga winter break 2007/ 08 the time is extended by one month, with a minimum validity until 31 December 2007. Maximum validity period would therefore have been to 31 August 2008. With an away win and seven away defeats this rail card had a validity until 31 January 2008.

Hertha BSC offered owners of this card next to it to even discounts on merchandise and tickets.

The Hertha BSC rail card 25 has sold a total of 50,000 times.

Environment rail card

The offer was to expire on 31 December 2005.

The environmental rail card was available as either train or railway Card 25 Card 50 to corresponding prices and conditions. When buying tickets, the web gives it a percent of sales generated with the map for a project at one of the three participating environmental organizations, of which was exclusively the distribution of environmental rail card.

As a project could be selected when purchasing the card between the projects " Sustainable mobility and climate protection" ( BUND ), for the " restoration of the Lower Havel " (from NABU) or " train travel for migratory birds " (from WWF).

Between 1 October and 8 December 2007, the German railway put the environment BahnCards 25 in a modified version to new. Was the price of 25 euros (50 euros for 1st class ) the card until 31 March 2008. The function of the map corresponded to the normal rail card 25, but did not have a personalized photo of the customer. On October 1, at the same time new bahn.bonus premiums from the conservation area have been introduced. In contrast to the version of 2005, no revenue share for conservation projects is provided.

Fan Bahn Card 25

For the European Football Championship 2008, DB offered with the fan rail card 25 to a more special form of rail card 25. At a price of 19 euros (1st class: 39 € ). Was the card from 1 April until at least June 30, 2008 The validity of the card was extended this with every advancement of the German national soccer team in the next round at the tournament to one month. Had they won all their games at the European Championships, the card until December 31, 2008 would have been valid. After a total of four wins the card was valid until 30 November 2008.

The sale of the card was limited to the period between 1 April and 7 June 2008. There around 234,000 copies were sold.

An appeal to a consumer protection organization against the automatic transition of the card in a regular rail card 25 had the Federal mid-June 2010 in the last instance.

Soccer World Cup 2010 in South Africa, the DB again offered to the BahnCard 25 for the price of 25 euros. The original date of the card was from April 1 to July 31. The validity extended with every advancement of the German national soccer team in the next round at the tournament by one month. The sale of the card was limited to the period between 1 April and 11 June 2010. Due to the tournament result was the card until 31 October 2010.

Between April 21 and 23, 2010, the Company issued every buyer of a normal price ticket from an order form for a free rail card fan at 25.

Sample -Bahn Card 25

Between June 14, 2009 and 28 February 2010, the German railway offered a fixed-term to four months BahnCards -25 variant as a practice track Card 25. The card was only for the second class, at the price of 25 euros, available. These rail card was automatically converted to a subscription. The action was originally to 12 December 2009 and was extended by the company later until the end of February 2010. Between 1 August and 11 December 2010 1 February and 30 April 2011 and 1 April and 31 July 2012 and December 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013 Other editions of the map have been sold. The latest edition will end on 30 April 2014.

From 1 August to 30 September 2012 a sample rail card was 25 " 1 4" offered. These included, for the price of 29 €, compared with the earlier sample rail card -25 offers the possibility to grant the rail card discount up to four other riders. From 1 July until 30 September 2013, the sample rail card, 1 4' was sold again.

Sample -Bahn Card 25 with 100 % green electricity

From April 16, 2012 to the German railway provided a sample rail card at 25 2nd class for the price of 29 euros. This was valid for four months and was extended without notice automatically for another year at a price of 71 euros. The four and twelve euro premium over the sample -Bahn Card 25 Card 25 or the web are from the track used in the energy market to procure renewable energy as traction power and to build new ecological power plants. Such offsetting them by virtue of averages. Not the individual journeys of the customer so it can be used for evaluation. The environmentally friendly electricity comes almost equally from old hydropower plants of the energy company RWE and from wind farms. Next, the finish of this action on June 30, 2012 was terminated. Once until 8 June 2012 on 15,000 customers had purchased this rail card variant, this deadline was postponed to 31 July 2012. Overall, the card was sold 31,500 times.

Anniversary rail card

To mark the 20th anniversary of the railway card program offered the German railway from October 1 to November 30, 2012 as a designated anniversary rail card special form of rail card 25 for the price of 20 euros. After the four months period, it proceeds in a regular BahnCards 25 subscription if it is not terminated at least six weeks before the expiry date.

Railway Card 25 plus mobile

In a current of 9 December 2012 to December 13, 2013 pilot project, the German Bahn in Berlin led the rail card 25 mobile a plus for the price of 79 €. This includes the functionality of an ordinary rail card 25, as well as additional monthly € 15 credit with the carsharing system Flinkster, monthly € 10 credit with the bicycle rental system Call a Bike and use as an e- ticket in the VBB tariff zone Berlin AB for owners of an environment map. The railway Card 25 plus mobile earnings by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development funded research project BeMobility 2.0. Since 14 December 2013, the railway Card 25 plus mobile continues, again limited to one year (available until December 13, 2014), offered at the same price, but without the E- Ticket feature. The card can be purchased at the railway Card Service in Frankfurt as in the pilot phase, only directly in remote and some regional stations in Berlin and the Berlin DB Mobility Center, or by mail. The railway Card 25 plus mobile will automatically expire after one year and does not have to be terminated.

Beginners rail card 25

From 1 October to 31 December 2013 the entry- Bahn Card 25 was offered. It cost 19 euro (2nd class), was for three months and went, if it was not terminated earlier, in a regular rail card subscription over.

Gold Train Card 25

From 1 January to 7 February 2014, the Gold Train Card 25 was offered. It cost 25 euros in 2nd and € 50 in 1st class and is valid for four months. Owners could ride free long-distance transport of DB AG on the day after gold medal winning German team at the Olympic Winter Games. How like, this card turns into a regular BahnCards 25 subscription if it is not terminated at least six weeks before the end of the term.

According to the Deutsche Bahn, the card was 105,000 times, including 8.400 times the first class version sold. In the last week of sales 30,000 gold rail card were sold. According to the company about 70,000 BahnCards would be sold with comparable features.

Due to the free ride option some media speculated the fact that the DB with this offer make large losses. According to a DB manager, however, the Group entered shortly before the end of the Olympic Games from a balanced balance sheet for listing this item.

By eight Goldmedailien German athletes at six of the 16 days of competition gold -Bahn Card holders could in the period from February 10 to 14, and use 2014 free rides on 18 February. After counting the DB AG, this possibility was used for about 100,000 trips.

" Mobility card "

The German railway strives to upgrade the rail card to a " mobility card ". How to obtain rail card holders discounts on hotel bookings, car rentals, car sharing, public transport networks some, in international trains as well as other mobility-related services.

City Ticket

The City Ticket is a no-cost extension to free rides in the city traffic of the participating cities to and from the train stations. Recognizable is the City Ticket on the additional " City" on the ticket.

Combined booking of Fernverkehrszugfahrten than 100 km wide train over long distances (at least part way with ICE, IC or EC) with a rail card 25 or 50 Here a single journey, the passenger receives each for the start station and the destination station within the scope. The rail card 100 is valid since December 2004 in these areas as annual pass.

For December 9, 2012, the validity has also been expanded to include trips to the starting station. Previously, the city ticket was valid only at the destination station for a ride, or for round-trip tickets for the respective journeys to and from the destination station.

By the beginning of 2008 100 Millionen tickets with city ticket issued.

Participating cities and Scope

The scopes of the City Tickets typically do not include the edge of town airports but on the other hand quite transcend beyond the boundaries of smaller towns. The German railway points concerning the scope of application to the local public transport company.

The City Ticket was developed on December 14, 2003 in cooperation between VDV, DB AG and the participating transport associations and introduced in 44 cities. After more cities were added regularly. December 12, 2004, the total number was 66; December 11, 2005, a further 19 (total: 86), in addition finally taken April 1, 2007 16 and 10 December 2007, seven cities. On December 14, 2008 were six and 13 December 2009 another three cities were established, so that now a total of 122 cities are participating in the city ticket (status: March 16, 2014).

In 1995 and designated as city ticket offer for Frankfurt was offered. It was, regardless of the possession of a rail card, included free in all tickets to Frankfurt am Main, whose starting station was outside the Rhine -Main Transport Association and entitled to a free port drive on the day of travel. Also in special offerings such as "Good Evening Ticket " or saving prices it was included.

Rail card and bus companies

Many bus companies, including in most regional bus companies of Deutsche Bahn (DB city traffic) accept the rail card. Within its tariff system (ie, not typically within Transport and Tariff communities where the web card recognition is controlled separately ) they adopt by rail Card 25 and 50 25 % off the regular ticket price, the Mobility BahnCards 100 valid as a ticket. Until the tariff change in 2002 with the rail card to give 50 % discount. The bus company Deutsche Bahn in Saxony and Brandenburg do not accept the rail card.

This applies to lines of the following companies: Auto power Kiel, bus Rhein- Neckar, haulage GmbH, Omnibusverkehr Rhein-Nahe, Omnibusverkehr Franken, DB ZugBus Regional Alb -Bodensee, regional bus Augsburg, regional bus Braunschweig region Ostbayern, regional bus Stuttgart, Rhein- Mosel- transport company, Regional bus Saar- Palatinate West, Regional Oberbayern, regional bus services West, Südbadenbus, transport company under Main, Weser -Ems -Bus, Regional traffic Allgäu ( VG Oberallgaeu with Kleinwalsertal ).

In addition, the rail card is recognized, for example, in the buses of Bentheim railway to and from the train stations at Bad Bentheim and Gronau.

Rail Plus

Since December 9, 2007 when buying a rail card 25/50, the so-called Railplus option is sold out. This gives those traveling by train card - which was previously recognized without this option only in Germany and for cross-border trips to Austria and Switzerland as part of the TEA Rail Alliance - also in several European countries in cross- border travel is usually a 25 percent discount. In the rail card 100 option was included since its introduction in 2002. The discount does not the owner gets on connecting trains on his journey abroad, but on rides in domestic traffic.

BahnCards with Railplus option are marked on the back with a RAIL PLUS logo.

The discount will be all holders of a rail card with RAILplus in cross- border traffic to Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Hungary granted. For young people under 26 years these discount in addition additionally applies in Norway, Sweden, Portugal and Spain and for seniors over 60 years in Ireland, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Portugal.

Railplus option had been introduced to the timetable change on 28 May 2000 on the price of 30 D- Mark ( 15.34 euros ). First was the offer in 25 European countries; partly it was limited to certain age groups. By December 2007, the option cost 15 euros per year ( railway Card 25 /50); Customers with Mobility rail card 100 or bahn.bonus comfort status were automatically the Railplus option at no extra charge.

Rail card and DB daughters and other railway companies

The UBB rail (100 - % subsidiary of DB AG) recognizes the rail card in until journeys over 50 km. The stations of the Berlin S- Bahn GmbH (100 - % subsidiary of DB AG) are not all tariff points of Deutsche Bahn. Thus for all stations, the exhibition of a continuous ticket with BC- reduction is not possible.

In many commuter trains, operated by private railway companies, the normal transport tariff of the Deutsche Bahn regional tickets applies, including rail card discount, etc.

No validity has the rail card in the long-distance trains, which are offered by private railway companies, such as in InterConnex, in the Harz -Berlin- Express or the Hamburg- Köln- Express. These have their own, independent of the DB plan. Exceptions are sections where trains run these as commuter trains.

In 2005, a rail card discount of 30 percent was granted, even though the company operating it received no compensation at all InterConnex lines.

BahnCards in transport associations and traffic Communities

In some transport associations and transport communities the rail card is also recognized for journeys within the transport area. This gives a 25 - % reduction when using a BC25 or BC50 at the normal rate of the composite rate. In networks where the railway tariff is parallel to the composite rate, is a BC50 a 50 - possible % discount on the train fare.

Among others in the field below transport associations, the use of a rail card lead to a cheaper fare:

• Community tariff Vorpommern ( GTV I)
• Heilbronner Hohenlohe Haller transport ( HNV )
• Karlsruhe Transportation (KVV )
• Roundabout Schwäbisch Hall
• Means German Transport Association (MDV, only in the DB rail transport)
• Lower tariff ( only in relation to traffic tickets)
• NRW - tariff ( only relations related tickets)
• Regensburg Transport Association ( RVV )
• Rhine - Main Transport Association (RMV ) (only for rail transport from Price Level 5)
• Rhein-Mosel Transport Company ( RMV)
• Saarländischer Transport Association ( SaarVV )
• Schleswig -Holstein tariff ( SH- tariff)
• Verbundtarif means (VMT ) ( from Price Level 2)
• Transport Community Fichtelgebirge (VGF )
• Transport Community Freudenstadt ( VGF)
• Transport Community Landkreis Passau (VLP )
• Transport Community Oberallgaeu
• Transport Community Rottal -Inn ( VGRI )
• Transport Network Berlin- Brandenburg ( VBB) (with exceptions)
• Transport Association Pforzheim- Enz ( VPE)
• Transport Association Region Trier ( VRT)
• Transport association Rhein- Mosel ( VRM)
• Transport association Rhein- Neckar ( VRN)
• Waldshut Tariff Association ( WTV )

Subscription and Termination

The BahnCards 25 and 50 are sold since 2002, usually in the subscription. Previously, the subscription was voluntary and offered the advantage of prolonged period of validity of 13 months. The rail card 100 can optionally be purchased as a subscription or one-time reference. The business versions of BahnCards 25 and 50 are not sold in the Subscription; this was also true for the sold until 2012 rail card for journalists.

The term of the subscription-based BahnCards will be delayed by one year if the subscription is not canceled at least six weeks before the end of the rail card. Due to lack of goodwill in case of late cancellation the offer referred to, inter alia, as a subscription trap. If the price increases that refer here to the follow - BahnCards, the contractual relationship can be terminated within four weeks of notification. From this special termination right only to benefit those subscribers, for which this period falls within the elapsed period of notice of six weeks. The revised terms will be effective upon delivery of the new rail card.

The sale of subscription has been criticized by consumer protection associations. Customers would not be sufficiently informed by a year the purchase on the automatic extension of maturity. Thus was made ​​of nine samples in March 2010 clearly on the notice attention only at a. However, complaints would take according to Karl -Peter Naumann from the passenger Association ProBahn.

The European Consumer Centre FCA advises foreign tourists in Germany who acquire a rail card to cancel this card equal in contracting and have this confirmed the dismissal in writing.

Organization within the Deutsche Bahn

All organizational and administrative services to the rail card are supervised by the Department BahnCards service from DB long-distance AG. By 2008 the railway card service in Wilhelmshaven was settled; Today it is located as part of the DB long-distance transport in Frankfurt am Main.