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Title: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on September 23, 2010, 14:09:30 According to this
http://www.thetrainline.com/ticketalert/ FGW are booking up to the 17th - which is getting preciously close to my 19th journey But it seemed a bit too soon so I went to see if there were any sleeper tickets released for the 12th - and there aren't hmmm - confused.com Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Brucey on September 23, 2010, 14:16:16 FGW's own website says you can book up to 8th December
(On the FGW homepage, bottom right of the six boxes below the Flash advert) Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: SDS on September 23, 2010, 21:39:19 And ATOCs own website says up to 8th December.
http://www.atoctravelagents.org/clientfiles/File/Booking%20Horizons/TOC%20Booking%20Horizons%2017092010.htm Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on September 28, 2010, 21:58:01 Now it says 8th december but the ticket booker thing allows you to get to entering your contact details etc etc before giveing this as an error when you click on continue
We have been unable to successfully validate your journey for the following reason: E00202 No inventory found with Retail Service ID GW1276 on 19/12/2010 Try booking the sleeper for 19th December - you get half way through before it bombs out Use XC and you get nada - nothing available Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: JayMac on September 28, 2010, 22:06:53 The FGW 'booking horizon' has indeed been stuck on 8th December for over a week now. As to why, who knows, but it may be related to the Reading blockade later in December.
Maybe worth giving FGW Customer Services a call regarding Sleeper bookings for the 19th to see if they can give you some idea of when Advance Purchase berths are going to become available for booking. As to other TOCs websites, you won't be able to book the Sleeper at all with them. Night Riviera Sleeper reservations are only available through FGW's website. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on September 28, 2010, 22:08:34 I'll call them tomorrow!
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: SDS on September 28, 2010, 23:02:42 http://www.atoctravelagents.org/ (and click on booking horizons at bottom) still says 8th December
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on September 28, 2010, 23:10:05 http://www.atoctravelagents.org/ (and click on booking horizons at bottom) still says 8th December YES I KNOW THAT But since 8th hadnt changed for days I tried to book as a what if the website - FGW engine - shows the service - says there is a sleeper - lets me choose the ticket, lets me add the berth then when I have to put in contact details gets the above error Either you can book for the 19th or not - not get half way through then have it error cos someone has not updats all the details in the system Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on September 29, 2010, 11:31:28 Think I might find a friendly local manned station and try there
Keep trying and getting people on the other end who sound as if they are from deepest darkest bangalore and have no idea what I'm on about Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Brucey on September 29, 2010, 13:39:50 Keep trying and getting people on the other end who sound as if they are from deepest darkest bangalore and have no idea what I'm on about If you need a UK based telesales service, then I would recommend South West Trains. Their call centre is based in Southampton. Can be contacted on 0845 600 0650 (option 2) or 023 8021 3600. They can sell any UK rail tickets and should be able to do sleeper bookings too.Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Phil on September 29, 2010, 14:24:00 Two possibly
If you need a UK based telesales service, then I would recommend South West Trains. Their call centre is based in Southampton. Can be contacted on 0845 600 0650 (option 2) or 023 8021 3600. They can sell any UK rail tickets and should be able to do sleeper bookings too. As to other TOCs websites, you won't be able to book the Sleeper at all with them. Night Riviera Sleeper reservations are only available through FGW's website. Ahh.... my post was referring to online sales. Should've made that clear. I've no idea about other TOCs telesales and their ability to sell Sleeper tickets. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Brucey on September 29, 2010, 14:25:52 All train stations with ticket offices can do sleeper reservations. Southampton telesales just use Star (same as FGW ticket offices) so should be able to book pretty much anything you can do at a station.
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: JayMac on September 29, 2010, 16:56:47 Think I might find a friendly local manned station and try there Keep trying and getting people on the other end who sound as if they are from deepest darkest bangalore and have no idea what I'm on about Sorry, I should've suggested upthread speaking to FGW Customer Service (direct 01752 675640) about the booking horizon. Telesales in India are probably worse than useless with anything more complex than a point-to-point fare. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: JayMac on September 29, 2010, 17:00:30 All train stations can do sleeper reservations. Southampton telesales just use Star (same as FGW ticket offices) so should be able to book pretty much anything you can do at a station. Hmmm..... 2 clerks at Bristol Temple Meads were unable to book me a berth on the Caledonian last year using their system. They ended up phoning ScotRail and being talked through the process of booking a berth for someone who already held a ticket to travel. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Timmer on September 29, 2010, 17:25:13 Hmmm..... 2 clerks at Bristol Temple Meads were unable to book me a berth on the Caledonian last year using their system. They ended up phoning ScotRail and being talked through the process of booking a berth for someone who already held a ticket to travel. Wouldn't have happened in the days when there were sleeper services from BTM going upto Scotland as the staff would have been used to doing sleeper reservations.Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: SDS on September 29, 2010, 19:11:56 YES I KNOW THAT Ouch. Just got the error "No inventory found with Retail Service ID GW1176 on 19/12/2010" for both the up and down sleepers. So looks like not available. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Ollie on September 29, 2010, 21:11:10 Hence bookings currently available to the 8th December - so pointless trying at the moment innit :)
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on September 29, 2010, 21:23:16 Hence bookings currently available to the 8th December - so pointless trying at the moment innit :) Aye - but since I don't have any faith in people who update websites etc etc And I would not have bothered if you could not get 75% through the process only to have it bomb out then Say nowt available - ok But let you get to contact information THEN bomb out..... Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 29, 2010, 21:39:49 Think I might find a friendly local manned station and try there If you happen to find one, please do let me know. ::) Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Ollie on September 29, 2010, 21:48:18 http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/booking_horizons.html - keep an eye on this, even tells you when the page last got updated, which as we speak is 27/09/2010
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on September 29, 2010, 22:09:09 Think I might find a friendly local manned station and try there If you happen to find one, please do let me know. ::) woman in yatton at 12:15 today was really helpful - she couldnt work out what was going on either so phoned bristol then swindon and eventually we concluded its not open yet but the web booking thing is half updated but not fully. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: JayMac on October 03, 2010, 00:15:29 Phoned FGW Customer Services about this issue today. Was told that the reason for the booking horizon not moving forward was because of Network Rail not 'releasing' the trains.
??? ??? ??? Asked for more details as to what this meant, but the advisor suggested I contact Network Rail on Monday! Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on October 03, 2010, 00:38:57 Phoned FGW Customer Services about this issue today. Was told that the reason for the booking horizon not moving forward was because of Network Rail not 'releasing' the trains. ??? ??? ??? Asked for more details as to what this meant, but the advisor suggested I contact Network Rail on Monday! Thanks getting very frustrated right now but at least I'm not being dim over the window Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Ollie on October 03, 2010, 00:53:05 Have spoken to Fares team who tell me issues with the system to release advance - but they hope to catch up next week.
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: JayMac on October 03, 2010, 01:02:55 Thanks Ollie.
Whilst not costing me anything to 'phone FGW CS, it is annoying when I'm fobbed off with a daft excuse. I can understand there being issues with Advance reservations if there was engineering works before Christmas, but the minimum 12 week deadline for Network Rail advising TOCs and FOCs of possessions affecting train running has passed and there are no major possessions in FGW land prior to Christmas. So to blame Network Rail for not 'releasing' the trains appears to me as though I was being fobbed off with an excuse that many would take at face value. At the time I called I didn't press the matter as, being a Saturday, it was unlikely that CS could contact Swindon for an accurate reason. Is it beyond the remit of CS staff to just say, "I don't know, but I'll find out and someone will get back to you", rather than make something up? Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Ollie on October 03, 2010, 01:26:27 At a guess I would say it was a guess that it was down to awaiting confirmation from NR. As there hasn't been any brief given to staff about the cause for the delay in releasing dates.
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: old original on October 03, 2010, 08:46:14 Perhaps it's because there's a timetable change that weekend (11th/12th Dec) that holding things up
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: eightf48544 on October 03, 2010, 12:02:39 Also there have been reports in the railway press about problems with the timetabling software and TOCs having to make numerous corrections because of faults in NR software, which means the 12 week deadlline is being missed.
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: JayMac on October 03, 2010, 12:16:54 Don't buy that. Every other Inter-City TOC is booking up until at least the 23rd December, whilst FGW has, as of today, only moved on until the 11th.
It seems there is some sort of problem as the booking horizon date has disappeared from FGW's homepage. Just be nice if FGW told punters what the problem is. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on October 03, 2010, 16:05:06 Thanks all who have looked into this/tried to help
I'm not normally this stressy but if I don't get into heathrow by 0800 on the 20th I'll be having a tv dinner for one on my own for my Xmas lunch and after the year I've had, that's the last thing i want. I know I can stay in a hotel near heathrow if need be but ....... Guess I'll just have to be patient (not my strong point). It's just I put the 12 week point in my diary for a reason..... Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: super tm on October 03, 2010, 18:05:00 i should imagine it is to do with the Reading blockade and waiting for validated timings
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: paul7575 on October 03, 2010, 19:25:14 i should imagine it is to do with the Reading blockade and waiting for validated timings People are talking about the period before the blockade, ie from the 8th to the 24th of Dec. Unless something pretty odd is happening, the weekdays at least should all be running the normal timetable. As 25th & 26th have no service anyway as normal the first day the timetable should be affected is the 27th... Paul Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Ollie on October 03, 2010, 21:01:54 As mentioned its a problem with releasing tickets...MM I will text you when 19th is open.
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: JayMac on October 03, 2010, 21:08:21 The question is..... Who's problem?
And why not FGW put an announcement on their website and why is it only FGW that are affected? Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on October 03, 2010, 21:17:11 As mentioned its a problem with releasing tickets...MM I will text you when 19th is open. Thanks - I know you said you would but the fact I'm so stressy over this explains why I havent relaxed over it Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Ollie on October 03, 2010, 22:35:00 my understanding is that is a problem with the yield management system we use. A brief hasnt even gone out to staff so doubt anything will go on website. Shame really. But as said should get some dates released this week.
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Chris from Nailsea on October 03, 2010, 22:37:38 Thanks for all your help on this one, Ollie. ;)
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: JayMac on October 05, 2010, 17:43:59 Further information I've gleaned from Customer Services.
The Advance Purchase tickets are apparently released in blocks tied to certain dates. As the pre-Christmas dates are in the same block as the post-Christmas dates they have not been released because the train times during the Reading blockade have not been finalised by Network Rail. Until FGW receive final confirmation of the train times during the blockade they cannot release Advance Purchase or seat reservations for the pre- and post- christmas trains. I tried Network Rail to see if they'd give information regarding when the confirmed timings will be released, but they just referred me back to FGW! All they would say is that any timings currently in booking engines are provisional only. Timings are official once reservations become available. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Ollie on October 06, 2010, 13:12:23 11th now, so we getting there :P
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on October 06, 2010, 13:53:43 Thanks - although with the failure of the sleeper on Monday I'm beginning to get a bit nervous relying on this
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: old original on October 08, 2010, 14:47:10 Reservations now open until 23rd Dec
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on October 08, 2010, 16:08:35 main page stilll says 11th but I'll give it a whirl
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on October 08, 2010, 16:12:04 Seems to be there - now I have another question...
What the difference between the sleeper advance standard solo A for ^74 and the solo B for ^99 I cant see much difference in the blurbs Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: eightf48544 on October 08, 2010, 16:21:06 Thanks - although with the failure of the sleeper on Monday I'm beginning to get a bit nervous relying on this I think you are right to be nervous. My view would be to get as close to Heathrow the day before, so you are within easy striking distance. You could end up stuck 200 miles away. There is a Holiday Inn Express back of Slough Station and a small Travelodge in the centre of town. Probably be cheaper than sleeper and Heathrow Express. There's also a cheapish hotel not sure which chain at Slough end of Colnbrook Bypass which is even nearer. You've then got the choice of train change Hayes into Heathrow connect. Hayes and 140 bus, Bus from Slough or taxi. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on October 08, 2010, 16:28:13 I've stayed in them numerous times!
The hol inn express at slough - I think I once posted here about getting annoyed the sphincter police on the gateline wouldnt let me through to take the short cut rather than walk round the bridge because I'd left my season on the bed The hotel at the colnbrook end of the by pass is a comfort inn (or a quality). I might look into heathrow hotels and save the sleeper for one of my nights in reading before going into the office which is always flexible! Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Brucey on October 08, 2010, 16:29:01 What the difference between the sleeper advance standard solo A for ^74 and the solo B for ^99 Just different fare categories (i.e. different prices, like all advance tickets)I cant see much difference in the blurbs Quote Ticket: Code - SJ Class - STANDARD Name - STD SLEEPER SOLO ___________ADVANCE A Sgl/Rtn - SINGLE Outward/Return Validity: Day - DATE ON TICKET Time - TIME ON TICKET Break of Journey: NO Pre-Book Req: 1800 DAY BEFORE Reservations Comp: YES Discounts: Child - YES Railcard - NO Group - NO Refunds: - NO Ticket: Code - SK Class - STANDARD Name - STD SLEEPER SOLO ___________ADVANCE B Sgl/Rtn - SINGLE Outward/Return Validity: Day - DATE ON TICKET Time - TIME ON TICKET Break of Journey: NO Pre-Book Req: 1800 DAY BEFORE Reservations Comp: YES Discounts: Child - YES Railcard - NO Group - NO Refunds: - NO Ticket: Code - SL Class - STANDARD Name - STD SLEEPER SOLO ___________ADVANCE C Sgl/Rtn - SINGLE Outward/Return Validity: Day - DATE ON TICKET Time - TIME ON TICKET Break of Journey: NO Pre-Book Req: 1800 DAY BEFORE Reservations Comp: YES Discounts: Child - YES Railcard - NO Group - NO Refunds: - NO Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on October 11, 2010, 13:45:05 Luckily this is no longer needed but I REALLY APPRECIATE all those who kept me informed
Have come to an arrangement with a friend of mine who lives near reading where I rent her room whenever I need a hotel - saves her taking in a lodger to pay the rent She's throwing the 19th in free of charge! But I do have one question - is there such a thing as a first class sleeper berth? Says if you are standard sleeper you may need to share but there seemed to be no option for bagging one to yourself Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Ollie on October 11, 2010, 13:48:29 sleeper is standard only. Solo berths are available.
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on October 11, 2010, 13:50:54 sleeper is standard only. Solo berths are available. Cool - cos I'm trying this wed night - am intrigued and need to be in paddington by 7am for a flight to munich - Friend already has a full house since we only came to this agreement the other day - so I'll get the sleeper on wed night - will report back Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on October 11, 2010, 14:42:29 Now, having booked this, it seems you can ONLY book solo berths - there is no other option. Well not that I was offered
Do FGW really have strangers sharing a berth? I can see how that would be a can of worms. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Phil on October 11, 2010, 14:57:20 Do FGW really have strangers sharing a berth? I can see how that would be a can of worms. Honestly don't know the answer to that. I do know Stena Line ferries do, or did very recently, as I booked myself into just such a berth on the way back from Holland. It was all that was available and I was desperate to get home. As it happened the chap (I was assured it was a chap!) I was sharing with never showed up - probably spent the night in the bar or something Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: eightf48544 on October 11, 2010, 15:50:37 Last time I used the sleeper in the late sixties I came back with my then girlfriend we both had shared berths but in separate cabins maybe even a coach. I was joined at I think Par by another chap, I believe she also had a travelling companion (female)
Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Timmer on October 11, 2010, 17:17:12 Do FGW really have strangers sharing a berth? I can see how that would be a can of worms. Yep and Scotrail. Been that way probably since sleepers started. If you book a 1st class sleeper on Scotrail you will get your own berth and a complimentary breakfast.More info on FGW and Scotrail sleepers can be found on the links below: FGW: http://www.seat61.com/Cornwall-sleeper.htm Scotrail: http://www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers.htm Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: inspector_blakey on October 11, 2010, 18:07:02 Do FGW really have strangers sharing a berth? I can see how that would be a can of worms. Actually no, not any more - it was that way until fairly recently but now if you're travelling alone you will only be booked into a room that you have to yourself. To quote seat61: Quote Passengers travelling alone pay ^45 and get a single room all to themselves. Unlike the sleepers to Scotland, if you're travelling alone you're no longer allowed to share a 2-berth room with another passenger, you must pay for sole occupancy of a single room. However, unlike the Scottish sleepers, you no longer need a first class ticket to travel in a single room all to yourself, a standard class ticket is all you need. Similar deal on Amtrak sleepers, where whatever charge you pay for sleeper accommodation ends up being "per room" and you won't find yourself sharing with someone else. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Mookiemoo on October 11, 2010, 18:35:19 Yeah - I like the Amtrack system - and am roughly glad the FGW system works the same (although it still asks whether you want the upper or lower berth)
I'll report back on thursday It was cheaper to get an advance to penzance on wed and the sleeper to be at heathrow on time (if the sleeper breaks down in this case I care not - client pays - unlike xmas) than to get a peak ticket to get me there in the morning OR go down the night before and get a hotel Insanity Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: old original on October 11, 2010, 19:46:27 Single travellers CAN still be booked into twin berth cabins (same sex), if they wish.
There is also one compartment in each coach (berths 17 & 18) which are switchable. They can be booked as a twin or a single but as a single the top bunk will still be left down and there won't be the Volo Tv available Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: JayMac on October 12, 2010, 06:24:46 Booking window open for the 19th Mookiemoo!!!
And about time too. ;) ;D EDIT: Have looked at the Sleeper Advance Solos for that date and the cheapest is ^74. The cynic in me suggests that the cheapest ADVs were never going to be available and FGW can use the excuse that it is close to Christmas, but one wonders if they may've been available if it wasn't for the RDG blockade and the booking horizon issues this caused. Maximising revenue..... sharp practice..... Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: Ollie on October 12, 2010, 10:06:52 Booking window open for the 19th Mookiemoo!!! As mentioned on Page 3 :PAnd about time too. ;) ;D But she doesn't need it now.. Title: Re: Booking window for advance tickets esp sleeper Post by: JayMac on October 12, 2010, 18:40:34 Oops. Posted in haste without reading the thread. :-[
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