If you have an advance train ticket you can no longer use, you can sell it on SaveMyFare rather than let it go to waste. This guide covers what tickets are eligible, how to set a price, how to list, and what to do once a sale completes.
What tickets you can sell
SaveMyFare accepts advance train tickets that are non-refundable with the original operator. The ticket must be unused, valid for a future date, and transferable — meaning the travel entitlement can be passed to another person without being tied to a named passenger or loyalty account.
- Advance tickets bought through National Rail, train operators, or booking platforms are usually eligible.
- Tickets linked to a specific railcard or named passenger may have restrictions — state these clearly in your listing.
- Tickets that have already been scanned or used are not eligible.
- Season tickets and monthly passes cannot be listed.
If you are unsure whether your ticket qualifies, check whether the barcode is intact, the travel date is still in the future, and the booking is held in a format you can share — such as a PDF, e-ticket email, or digital wallet entry.
How to price your ticket
To sell an advance train ticket, set your asking price below the original face value. Buyers use SaveMyFare because they expect a saving, so a listing priced at or above the original cost is unlikely to sell.
- A discount of 20 to 50 per cent on the original fare tends to attract buyers quickly.
- The closer the travel date, the sharper the discount needs to be.
- SaveMyFare charges a small platform fee on completion — price with this in mind so your net return is what you expect.
- You can edit your asking price after listing if you want to adjust it.
The original face value you enter is shown to buyers alongside your asking price, so they can see the saving clearly. Do not inflate the original price — list the amount you actually paid.
How to list your ticket
Creating a listing takes a few minutes. You will need the ticket details in front of you before you start.
- Log in to your SaveMyFare account and go to Sell.
- Enter the origin, destination, travel date, departure time, and ticket type.
- Upload a photo or scan of the ticket so our team can verify it. Keep the barcode visible and unobstructed.
- Set your asking price and confirm the original face value.
- Submit the listing for review.
Listings go through a brief verification check before going live. Once approved, your ticket appears in search results for buyers looking for that route and date.
What happens after a sale
When a buyer completes a purchase, your listing moves to a sold state and you will be notified. At that point you have a short window to transfer the ticket to the buyer. Prompt delivery reduces the chance of a dispute and gives the buyer time to confirm everything is in order before travel.
Payment is held until the transfer is confirmed. Once the buyer receives the ticket and the sale clears, your payout is processed. SaveMyFare deducts the platform fee before releasing funds.
How to transfer the ticket
The exact method depends on how your ticket is held. In most cases, transferring an advance ticket means one of the following.
- Forwarding the original booking confirmation email to the buyer.
- Sharing the PDF or e-ticket file in full, with the barcode unaltered.
- Providing the collection reference if the ticket has not yet been printed.
Do not crop, blur, or partially hide any part of the ticket. The buyer needs the same complete document that would be accepted at the barrier. If the booking includes a seat reservation, pass that detail over at the same time.
Sellers should not list tickets they cannot access quickly, tickets with damaged barcodes, or tickets where the transfer method is uncertain. If you are not sure how to share the ticket before listing, resolve that first.
Tips for a smooth sale
- List as early as possible. Tickets listed well before the travel date have more time to attract a buyer.
- Keep your ticket accessible. You may need to transfer it within hours of a sale completing.
- State any restrictions upfront. If the ticket requires a specific railcard, includes a seat reservation, or is valid on one train only, put that in the listing description.
- Do not list the same ticket on multiple platforms at the same time. If it sells elsewhere, cancel the SaveMyFare listing immediately.
- Deliver promptly. Delays after a sale increase the likelihood of a dispute, which can hold up your payment.
Selling an unused rail ticket through SaveMyFare is straightforward when the listing is accurate, the ticket is easy to share, and the handover happens quickly after purchase.