Originally Posted by
sparkchaser
I do not think that you can apply the BC 50 to Sparpreis tickets though. I know you can't with the 25.
Indeed, the BC50 does not get any discount on SparPreis tickets. However, the BC25
does get a 25% discount:
BahnCard/RAILPLUS BahnCard 25 holders receive a 25% discount.
BahnCard discount: Get an extra 25% discount with the BahnCard 25.
(The fact that BC50 is not listed indicates that it does not get such a discount).
However, neither BC25 nor BC50 gets a discount on the 'regional tickets' such as the
Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket or
Länder-Tickets
Originally Posted by
sparkchaser
If you know your travel days in advance, you're probably better off with Sparpreis tickets but then you lose flexibility.
Indeed. If you have a BC25, then you get discounts off both the SparPreis tickets, and regular fares - and the SparPreis will always be cheaper. If you have a BC50, then sometimes the SparPreis (even undiscounted) will be cheaper (especially if it is available at one of the lowest prices bands) and other times, the half-price regular fare will be cheaper (than an upper end, undiscounted SparPreis).
So, it's a difficult comparison to make. However, if you don't travel that much, and are always able to book well in advance, and stick to your plans, then a B25 and SparPreis probably works out better. However, if you want to book at the last minute, and/or have flexibility, then a BC50 and half-price regular fares is probably better. (Distance is also a factor in this equation, but that makes it even more complicated - as regular fares are distance-based; SparPreis and Europa-Spezials are not (so much) distance-based).