Hi Roland-
I have always bought my Half Fare card at the Zurich Travel Center at the Zurich Flughaffen when I arrive in the country. The reason I wanted to buy my Half Fare cards early was because you can purchase tickets on the Glacier Express 93 days before your dinner ride through the Alps. So, I wanted to purchase our ½-fare cards early.
Well, I was able to purchase ½-Fare cards putting in our arrival date of 25 June. Then I noticed that the receipt they sent me for our tickets was marked the date of purchase 8 March. I finally found on Google the SBB phone number in Switzerland (+41 51 225 78 56 ). I phoned the SBB office and told them of my purchase (282USD)… that the dates were incorrect. They reversed the charge. BUT the lady told me that you can only purchase online tickets 60 days in advance. My concern was that all the dinner reservations would be bought 93 days in advance of our dinner ride.
BUT ALAS… Through a Google search, I contacted Carolyn Schonafinger @ Holidays to Switzerland. She said I could make a Glacier Express reservation without our Half Fare Cards and present them on the train. She also said that I could purchase Half Fare Cards from her organization more than 60 days in advance.
So that is my story since I wrote to your Discussion Board. Thank you for your response. I love SBB but my only complaint is that it is virtually impossible to make personal contact with anyone at SBB. Please share my knowledge with others.
Thanks again-
Dawn from Seattle