Bought the wrong train ticket
Discussion
Going down to a meeting in London next week, bought tickets online via Trainline but need to travel earlier.
Guy on the helpline said I'd have to cancel have my cash refunded to my CC and book again. Can't be bothered with all that palava
If I just get on the earlier train and the ticket inspector clocks my ticket will it be classed as travelling without a ticket? What do you think he'd do? The prices are the same for the two journey times?
Ta guys
Guy on the helpline said I'd have to cancel have my cash refunded to my CC and book again. Can't be bothered with all that palava
If I just get on the earlier train and the ticket inspector clocks my ticket will it be classed as travelling without a ticket? What do you think he'd do? The prices are the same for the two journey times?
Ta guys
Which train line out of interest? How much is the difference?
You could always go with the "I'm so terribly sorry. This is the first time I've used a train in years. I didn't realise it made a difference." blah, blah, blah.
At the worst you'll have to pay the difference there an then. If the inspector is feeling benevolent, you'll be OK.
You may have a problem going through the barriers at London (if there are any - what station?) but again, you could plead ignorance.
You could always go with the "I'm so terribly sorry. This is the first time I've used a train in years. I didn't realise it made a difference." blah, blah, blah.
At the worst you'll have to pay the difference there an then. If the inspector is feeling benevolent, you'll be OK.
You may have a problem going through the barriers at London (if there are any - what station?) but again, you could plead ignorance.
As an aside, this is why I never buy tickets from Train Line. They tie you in to times and, if for any reason you miss a connection, it gets expensive. You can't very well put the extra down as expense with the "I was looking at Gentleman's Interest publications in Smith's and lost track of time" excuse either.
At least if you buy them from a station you'll get the flexibility of being able to choose a train...
At least if you buy them from a station you'll get the flexibility of being able to choose a train...
It's Liverpool to London and I booked via thetrainline.whatever.
Last time I went down I didn't have to put the ticket through a machine as it's a big cardboardy thing.
there's no difference in the cost of the two journeys but it's an advance saver and so if he charged me on the day it would be a damn sight more.
Do you reckon the refund/rebook is worth the hassle?
Last time I went down I didn't have to put the ticket through a machine as it's a big cardboardy thing.
there's no difference in the cost of the two journeys but it's an advance saver and so if he charged me on the day it would be a damn sight more.
Do you reckon the refund/rebook is worth the hassle?
glocko said:If it's being charged to the company you may aswell risk it, worst case 'the bus to the station was late and missed the train'. If it's out of your pocket, just blag it on the day.
Do you reckon the refund/rebook is worth the hassle?
>> Edited by tomtom on Tuesday 10th January 16:01
I reckon you'll be ok, but as I don't use trains, what do I know 
glocko said:Oh, they've got rid of the cardboard machines and put real ones in now...
Last time I went down I didn't have to put the ticket through a machine as it's a big cardboardy thing.
Personally, I'd risk it. Do you have to go through a turnstile to get on the train? If you do, there's less chance there'll be an inspector.
Tyre Smoke said:
Let me get this right, you are too lazy to spend 15 minutes on line to 'do it right' and would rather try and blag your way onto an earlier train with a different ticket?
I'd fine you for not having a valid ticket you lazy sod!
Not too lazy but I've paid for it on my company credit card, refunds etc would screw up the account statements etc and I've only been with the company a couple of months...nose clean etc etc
Ho hum, I'll get the later one.
Cheers gang
Why not just contact Customer Services for the TOC that you're travelling with(Virgin I guess - 0870 789 1234), explain your situation and ask them if it will be a problem using the ticket at the new time.
I used to work on the railway and travelled all over the country by rail. I've never known an intercity train not to have ticket checks. On the other hand, I've never seen the inspectors being unsympathetic to people who were pleasant and polite to them either(although anyone can have an off day). If you're not prepared to wing it and risk a surcharge, cancel the ticket now, go to a decent sized station and get an open one - ask them to help you find the cheapest way of travelling rather than being specific, there's sometimes pricing 'tricks' they can do.
I used to work on the railway and travelled all over the country by rail. I've never known an intercity train not to have ticket checks. On the other hand, I've never seen the inspectors being unsympathetic to people who were pleasant and polite to them either(although anyone can have an off day). If you're not prepared to wing it and risk a surcharge, cancel the ticket now, go to a decent sized station and get an open one - ask them to help you find the cheapest way of travelling rather than being specific, there's sometimes pricing 'tricks' they can do.
I understand your exasperation. The only time I use the train is to shuttle to and from my (fixed) place of work, and I only do that as I get a 50% reduction on my season ticket. For any other journeys, the car is the answer. Super clean environment, any ambient temperature I care to select, choice of music on the CD, can divert off route to lunch at a great pub.
The train? Smelly, dirty, impolite staff, poor timekeeping, freezing one's nuts off waiting on a platform etc, etc. No contest, really.
The train? Smelly, dirty, impolite staff, poor timekeeping, freezing one's nuts off waiting on a platform etc, etc. No contest, really.
Definitely would not risk it. Don't know about liverpool, but i travel between london euston and manchester very often with virgin, and have seen people charged ridiculous prices for upgrades because of invalid tickets. Last Friday saw 4 people out of less than 20 people in my carriage who were charged roughly £100, because tickets were booked for other trains, or not the right ticket (eg weekender). I think it's since they changed the rules, as you can only buy a normal ticket at station not on the train- its double if you buy on the train...
hope this helps
hope this helps
tomtom said:
As an aside, this is why I never buy tickets from Train Line. They tie you in to times and, if for any reason you miss a connection, it gets expensive. You can't very well put the extra down as expense with the "I was looking at Gentleman's Interest publications in Smith's and lost track of time" excuse either.
At least if you buy them from a station you'll get the flexibility of being able to choose a train...
Not if you buy an open ticket they don't. In the same way you won't get flexibility (but you will save money) if you get an advance purchase ticket from a station.
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