Bedford to St Pancras Morning off peak times?

[whole diary]

[BBM]

Well they are off to the station again today as they were told that if they give their Eurostar ticket details (this being the reason they are going to St Pancras) then they can get some discount off of a more expensive return that will enable them to travel before half past nine... I'm a bit cynical about that one but have told them about getting two singles at ^17.90 each in case that turns out cheaper than whatever this "discounted rate" will be..

My understanding about that type of ticket is that it has what's known as "International Conditions of Carriage" which basically means that if FCC^▸ (First Capital Connect) or EMT^» (East Midlands Trains - about) goes down the pan on the day which they travel and they miss their Eurostar train then they can take a later one without any extra cost. So it might be worthwhile buying one of those just for the guarantee?

[JayMac]

Bedford to London International (CIV^▸ (International Convention for the transportation of Passengers)) Euro High Saver Return (EVR), valid from 0915 from Bedford, so fine for the 0919 to St Pancras arriving 1000 is ^28.00. Return travel after 0930 and not between 1730-1830 Mon-Fri, any train weekends/bank holidays.

The totally unrestricted product is the Euro Std Return (EOR) at ^45.00

[johoare]

Hhmm well they have now got their ^28 return tickets but were told they could also travel on the 9.10 departure with them since they already have Eurostar tickets.. That's just before 9.15.. It will be interesting to see if they are actually allowed

[inspector_blakey]

Thought I'd forward a link to this thread to the ever knowledgeable and efficient Barry Doe of Rail magazine...here's his response!

That's what I don't like about the new names. OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter) Return is the old
Saver and OP Day Return the old Cheap Day. The former has always been barred
until an 0930 departure, whereas the Cheap Day Return is into London by 1000
or later.

Fares from Bedford are an oddity. The full set is only available as Bedford
Stations to London Thameslink. 0910 from Bedford is ^18 OP Day Return. ^28
OP Return after 0930. Super OP Day Return ^14 weekends only.

Oh, and fares to London Thameslink do NOT just allow travel to Farringdon so
far as I know. They allow travel right though the core to London Bridge from
the north, saving the tube add-on fare. By all means quote me if you want!

[johoare]

Well it makes the system of train fares from Maidenhead to Paddington seem simple.. Well the ones that I buy anyway