Overview
- The new rules take effect on 1 August 2026 and replace fixed point prices for Freifahrten with a demand- and route‑based banded system.
- Domestic one‑way redemptions will now range from 750 to 2,000 points in 2nd class and 1,250 to 2,500 points in 1st class, with point levels set in 250‑point steps.
- Flex (no train‑binding) Freifahrten become notably pricier, for example a 2nd‑class one‑way Flex rises from 2,000 to 2,500 points and round‑trips from 3,000 to 4,000 points.
- Deutsche Bahn says the highest point bands will apply mainly to routes that previously had no Freifahrten and that the change expands the number of connections eligible for redemptions.
- Customer groups and media warn the model can quietly devalue saved points because most travelers earn about one point per euro and will now face unpredictable costs, which may push users to book earlier or travel off‑peak.