Can you get on an earlier outward train with an off peak return?

[user18]

DS is coming home from uni this afternoon for the weekend and due to get back at about 8pm. He has an off peak return and was getting a train at about 4pm

He's just realised he doesn't have a lecture this afternoon and could come back now. Can he get on an earlier train with an off peak return?

My googling suggests he probably can but it will be a pain if he gets to the station and has to wait for three hours so I wanted to check.

Where did he buy his ticket? If the Trainline or similar it will tell him what other trains he can get

What does it say on the ticket? Some tickets say valid on any off peak and others are specific trains only

I’m sure he can as it’s super off peak time until about 4, and that’s cheaper than his ticket would be for off peak

I’ve certainly done it coming out of London (super off peak time train on an off peak ticket)

If he's using the correct terminology for the ticket type, then an 'off peak return' can be used at any time during the off peak period (which might vary between train operators) because it isn't tied to a specific timed train like an 'advance' ticket. Even if he has a seat booked already, he doesn't have to use that train.

It isn't entirely clear from the e ticket sent through by Avanti. I think he can probably get on an earlier train as long as its today and then his return can be any time within the next month as long as its off peak but the ticket shows him booked on a particular outward train

I think it's fine, it'll just be showing a booked train if he has a seat reservation Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak Train Tickets| Avanti West Coast

That should be fine then. He should be able to get any off peak train