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basset44
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« on: January 17, 2010, 19:45:54 » |
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Hi All,
I value your opinion, yesterday I went to the ticket office at Cardiff Central, I had already done some background checks but I took my nephew with me for a small train trip and I was a bit distracted.
I asked for the 5 cheapest tickets to Newcastle going up in Febuary and return 2 days later. The ticket clerk said there were no cheap tickets, I said please try splitting at Birmingham.
I also said that I would like 2 people together and a 3 rather than 1 being on the own. The ticket clerk said that were any of the people over 55 I said yes 1 was over 55. She then said that there was an offfer on the Cardiff to Birmingham route for over 55 to travel for 25 pounds I said if that was the cheapest way then fine. After buying the tickets today I noticed that the 4 Cardiff to Birmingham cost 11.50 single each way. Okay it is only 2 pounds but it shows again how crazy it is and not everybody can work these fares out.
When I asked today about it I was told it would cost 10 pounds to change the ticket or I could fill in a complaint form, but I thought the Ticket clerk was trying to be helpfull and I dont really want to get them in trouble.
I value the forum members views
Basset
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ChrisB
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« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2010, 20:01:03 » |
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I value your opinion, yesterday I went to the ticket office at Cardiff Central After buying the tickets today I noticed that the 4 Cardiff to Birmingham cost 11.50 single each way. Maybe those ^11.50 tickets weren't showing yesterday? |
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« Last Edit: January 17, 2010, 20:14:29 by ChrisB »
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JayMac
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« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2010, 20:12:41 » |
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I would definitely complain. Ticket office staff are obliged to sell you the cheapest ticket valid for your journey. The CDF» -BHM Adv singles at ^11.50 each way should've been offered for all in your party if 5 were available at the time you booked. A bit naughty to offer you a Club 55 fare that was more expensive than the advance. As you were travelling in a group with others on fixed train/time tickets there was little need for a more flexible ticket for one in the party.
Yes it is only ^2 difference, but it's your ^2, not Arriva Trains Wales'.
And ChrisB......eh?
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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ChrisB
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« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2010, 20:15:16 » |
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Advance tickets bought today might not have been available yesterday. Hence the advice given then would have been correct.
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Brucey
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« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2010, 20:17:10 » |
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If there were five of you, then you could have saved two of the fares by asking for a GroupSave ticket.
The Fares Manual even shows advance fares on that route as being valid on GroupSave.
Perhaps buy your tickets online in the future - then you can easily see what is available.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2010, 20:18:00 » |
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Groupsave isn't available online....
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Brucey
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« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2010, 20:18:57 » |
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Groupsave isn't available online....
Trainline powered sites, e.g. FGW▸ , offer it. You have to enter 4 adults and select GROUP SAVE 4 as the Railcard. |
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ChrisB
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« Reply #7 on: January 17, 2010, 20:20:27 » |
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Oh thanks - that's news to me!
But what about 3 people? Isn't Groupdsave available - i.e. 2 pay & 1 goes free?
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readytostart
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« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2010, 20:22:48 » |
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If there were five of you, then you could have saved two of the fares by asking for a GroupSave ticket.
The Fares Manual even shows advance fares on that route as being valid on GroupSave.
Perhaps buy your tickets online in the future - then you can easily see what is available.
AFAIK▸ groupsave is not valid on ATW▸ services, definitely not valid on XC▸ . |
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JayMac
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« Reply #9 on: January 17, 2010, 20:33:11 » |
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Advance tickets bought today might not have been available yesterday. Hence the advice given then would have been correct.
Ok. I think there's a missing comma that is confusing you. "After buying the tickets, today I noticed......" |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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basset44
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« Reply #10 on: January 17, 2010, 20:33:55 » |
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Hi,
Wanted to do it online but I wanted to ask about seating did not want the system to seat 1 person on they own.
Recieved about 49 tickets and the receipt was about 3 feet long only had time this morning to sort out and check. ATW▸ site today still showing 11.50 fare. I just did not registar when the ticket clerk said 25 pound over 55 and she was looking and had allready booked the 2 people and had seen the fare
Basset
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devon_metro
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« Reply #11 on: January 17, 2010, 20:37:14 » |
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Oh thanks - that's news to me!
But what about 3 people? Isn't Groupdsave available - i.e. 2 pay & 1 goes free?
"Group Save 3" in the railcard option |
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John R
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« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2010, 21:11:41 » |
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It's worth noting that the 11.50 is an advance ticket, and so I wouldn't recommend buying it for this journey. After all, if your return from Newcastle to Birmingham is late then it won't be valid, as it is a separate ticket. Neither ATW▸ nor XC▸ would have any obligation to pass your ticket or compensate you. Whether or not they would is another matter.
That means you either have to leave an extra long margin at New St, and probably end up waiting there for ages (and thus inconveniencing the rest of your party), or spend the first part of the journey south stressing that your train doesn't get delayed.
Is that really worth it for ^2? Haven't you been caught before by trying to save a bit of money using advance tickets when your return journey was disrupted, (as was quite likely given it was after an inbound flight)? Or am I thinking of someone else?
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basset44
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« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2010, 11:32:22 » |
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Hi,
It is not the ^2 it the principal of going to the station and asking for the cheapest fare to and from Newcastle.
I could have paid ^116.50 per person anytime single or I knew you could split at Birmingham and take a chance allowing 20 mins and the cost would be 11.50 advance single to Birmingham and 21.50 advance single to Newcastle.
Coming back I have allowed 1 hour at Birmingham but what is still annoying is i could still buy today a 27.50 advance single from Newcastle to Cardiff change at Birmingham and would not have to worry if train was late!!
I could also have traveled to Bristol airport and gone easyjet still available for less then what I have paid advance tickets on the train and after reading all the reports on this site about XC▸ I wish I had
Basset
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ChrisB
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« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2010, 12:04:00 » |
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With respect, it seems as though you didn't do sufficient research before booking?
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