TheTrainline / ticket booking apps

[Tony]

Just after some advice. Had booked advance tickets to london way before yesterdays lockdown announcement, on Trainline. No option for refund when i click on "Manage my booking". Surely these are exceptional circumstances? It doesnt give me an option to reschedule for a later date either!

That will teach you to use the trainline which I have been advising against for years.

As some who wants the railway nationalised I would have though the trainline, which leaches money out of the railway more than any privatised TOC was the last company you would use.

The Trainline take 5% out of every ticket they sell which the railway companies should be getting as well as charging you a booking fee which the TOC websites don't making them more expensive to the customer.

[Bob]

Thanks for the helpful advice Tony 😀

[DJ]

I'll always advocate Trainpal over Trainline, it checks for split tickets automatically, and they refunded my advance tickets straight away once the first lockdown was announced.

[Tony]

I'll always advocate Trainpal over Trainline, it checks for split tickets automatically, and they refunded my advance tickets straight away once the first lockdown was announced.

They do still charge a booking fee though. They are a good site to use for checking of split ticketing, but I still always buy my tickets from a TOC

[DJ]

They do still charge a booking fee though. They are a good site to use for checking of split ticketing, but I still always buy my tickets from a TOC

They don't charge a booking fee, actually. I'll book through a TOC or pay at a station for certain trips, like if I'm just going into Birmingham from Tipton, or for when I go to London, when I usually get the one day travelcard with Chiltern, but other than stuff like that, I always use their app.

[Tony]

They don't charge a booking fee, actually. I'll book through a TOC or pay at a station for certain trips, like if I'm just going into Birmingham from Tipton, or for when I go to London, when I usually get the one day travelcard with Chiltern, but other than stuff like that, I always use their app.

Apologies, I was thinking of the other site that does split ticketing, called split ticketing who don't charge a fee, but take a percentage of what they save you

[Pat]

They don't charge a booking fee, actually. I'll book through a TOC or pay at a station for certain trips, like if I'm just going into Birmingham from Tipton, or for when I go to London, when I usually get the one day travelcard with Chiltern, but other than stuff like that, I always use their app.

They don't charge a booking fee for tickets purchased on the day.  If you buy a ticket in advance, then you are charged the booking fee.

[windy miller]

 As I may have mentioned earlier in the year I had some fun and games trying to recover my advance bookings. Fortunately  I had  all 50 quids worth of
  advance fares repaid (eventually) thanks to West Mids rail . They asked me
  to provide a ticket image to support my claim(s) which was not possible as
   the tickets had not been collected and were still i n the system . 

  I too Had booked a cheap London trip for the 12th November (on the west mids website) although the booking involved a BNS to EUS and return
   Avanti. I have spoken to West Mids by phone and it appears that although
  the trip is clearly under lockdown restrictions I have been informed that the booking(s) are/will be valid for six months from the original date. Although I was NOT offered an immediate refund. I have found a trip for 7th December
from BMO to MYB AND return  giving me over 8 hours in London for £9.10p
   with a Senior railcard. I just hope the lockdown is not extended..

   
   

[windy miller]

   Further to my last report regarding WMR phone advice ,ie your booking may remain flexible with WM rail up to 6 months in advance...I have been informed
  that this information is/was in fact incorrect and that as advance fares are ,
  as they put it, 'heavily discounted' and therefore non refundable under all
   circumstances.. in line with other TOC's...I'm beginning to think they may be taking 'a leaf' from Trainline in the belief that if THEY (T. line) can get away
with their 'No refunds' policy then so can WMR.
   More importantly, they fail to realise that IF advance fares can NOT be
   credited OR refunded then this would simply encourage ticket holders to ignore covid advisories and travel regardless of possible risks rather than lose their money.  This arrangement is unacceptable.  Watch this space..... windy
 

[windy miller]

  ...In the light of ambiguities offered by WMR regarding the use of
   'discounted' Advance tickets prior to the present lockdown advice I have
   made it clear to their CEO that Gov stats have shown that an estimated
   94% of UK seniors have stuck to covid advisories but the threat of
    Financial loss/ discrimination would simply encourage seniors to travel   
    and subject not only themselves to covid risk but also rail staff and others.
    I was given precisely 1Hr 40 mins Advance warning by E mail @ 6am
     to inform me that my 'Discounted' tickets were invalid despite previously
    offered post dated travel. In response to widespread advertising
    throughout the rail industry, I chose to buy a Senior railcard @£30P/a
    to obtain discounted fares. If YOU have paid for an advance fare prior to
    2nd Dec using a visa debit card please contact me with a private
    message  as I may be able to offer advice..... windy
   
     
     
   

[windy miller]

I'll always advocate Trainpal over Trainline, it checks for split tickets automatically, and they refunded my advance tickets straight away once the first lockdown was announced.

I had never heard of 'train pal'  Are they reliable?

[DJ]

I had never heard of 'train pal'  Are they reliable?

I've never had an issue, and I found about them because Geoff Marshall used their app in one of their videos.

[windy miller]

  ...In the light of ambiguities offered by WMR regarding the use of
   'discounted' Advance tickets prior to the present lockdown advice I have
   made it clear to their CEO that Gov stats have shown that an estimated
   94% of UK seniors have stuck to covid advisories but the threat of
    Financial loss/ discrimination would simply encourage seniors to travel   
    and subject not only themselves to covid risk but also rail staff and others.
    I was given precisely 1Hr 40 mins Advance warning by E mail @ 6am
     to inform me that my 'Discounted' tickets were invalid despite previously
    offered post dated travel. In response to widespread advertising
    throughout the rail industry, I chose to buy a Senior railcard @£30P/a
    to obtain discounted fares. If YOU have paid for an advance fare prior to
    2nd Dec using a visa debit card please contact me with a private
    message  as I may be able to offer advice..... windy
   
           

..it obviously pays to complain if you have a legitimate cause....
  I can now quote written confirmation received C/o WM/LNWR  Customer
  relations manager, (Dennis Taplin) ..as Follows : Whilst under normal
  circumstances Advance fares are Non refundable it has been agreed
   with the department for transport and the rail delivery group that we will
reimburse the cost of unused tickets in the form of rail travel vouchers. 
   These vouchers are valid for up to 12 months and can be used against the
   cost of your next rail journey at any staffed national rail station.These
    vouchers may not be exchanged for cash
    for more information and further details of the rules and conditions please
   vist : www.nationalrail.co.uk/coronavirus

    If WMR can follow these rules then surely other TOC should follow their
    example?.