BahnCard subscription: All you need to know
If you travel by train in Germany and buy a Deutsche Bahn ticket, it is important to understand what a BahnCard is.
We'll tell you when it's worth trying the BahnCard and how to cancel your subscription.
What is the BahnCard?
The BahnCard is a discount card offered from Deutsche Bahn (DB). There are different types of BahnCard, such as the BahnCard 25, BahnCard 50 and BahnCard 100. Each type of card offers different discounts on your tickets.
The BahnCard25, for example, gives you a 25% discount on flexible fares and savings on long-distance journeys.
Depending on the card, there is an annual or monthly subscription with automatic renewal.
Visit the Deutsche Bahn for details of all Bahncard offers.
Where is the Deutsche BahnCard available?
When you buy a ticket at a station in Germany, Deutsche Bahn staff will recommend that you buy a BahnCard, which will reduce the price of your ticket.
If you choose this option, you will need to complete a BahnCard form. The form will state that this card is a subscription and that the subscription will be automatically renewed each year.
As the form is in German, if you do not speak German you may not realise that you are buying a subscription and not just a one-off discount.
If you want to buy a ticket online, you can also buy a BahnCard. However, you will need to register on the Deutsche Bahn website.
Trial BahnCard: If you are only visiting Germany for a short time
If you are only travelling by train once, but would like to buy a BahnCard to get a discount on your ticket, you can buy a Probe BahnCard (Trial BahnCard).
This is valid for three months. For example, the Trial BahnCard 25 is available for 2nd class from just €19.90. Please note that the Trial BahnCard is also a subscription.
What deadlines must I observe when cancelling a BahnCard subscription?
The regular BahnCards 25, 50 and 100 have a minimum term of one year. If you would like to cancel your subscription, you must notify Deutsche Bahn at least six weeks before your subscription is renewed, which will take place one year after the initial purchase.
The Trial BahnCard, which is valid for three months, must be canceled at least four weeks before the expiry of the validity period, otherwise it becomes a permanent annual subscription with a minimum contract term of one year.
How do I cancel my BahnCard subscription?
To cancel your subscription, you must send a notice to the Deutsche Bahn Centre within the relevant period. You can use DB's cancellation form to do this.
Alternatively, you can cancel online via your customer account or by email. Send a short explanation to bahncard-service@bahn.de and ask for confirmation.
If you wish to cancel by post, send a letter to
BahnCard Service
60643 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
You can use the following template for your cancelation
Subject: BahnCard cancellation
Dear Sir or Madam
I would like to cancel my BahnCard as soon as possible.
My BahnCard number: (your BahnCard number)
My date of birth: (your date of birth)
My address: (your address)
Please send me written confirmation of the cancellation, stating the cancellation date.
Your first name and surname
Your signature
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