Hi Alan,
Comments above are noted.
I understand where you are coming from, but a ticket with a route of AAA Zones 7-9 is definitely valid at any station in those zones, not just the stations one might travel through from the origin.
Giving this validity is very much a kludge in the ticketing system, which is why the vast majority of the conditions only mention zones 1-6. Therefore, the problem is either GA coding the ticket incorrectly or Cubic not recognising the coding correctly.
However, my interest and determination are sufficiently piqued now that I’ve set up a GA account and downloaded the app. I’m about to order a smartcard and intend to test it out myself. Fortunately for me, I have a 60+ Oyster, so if it is refused, i can still travel at no extra cost. I’m determined to get to the bottom of this.