Trainline tickets only partly refunded - Advice

Trainline tickets only partly refunded - Advice

Author
Discussion

Dr Murdoch

Original Poster:

3,760 posts

150 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2024
quotequote all
I booked return tickets to Lincoln via Trainline for tomorrow (out) and Saturday (return). Unfortunately due to an ill child, I will not be able to make the trip.

However, when requesting a refund online, only the outbound trip is to be refunded and not the return. I'm bewildered why this is the case to be honest. I haven't even collected the tickets (they asked for them to be returned via post).

I assume i would be better calling them, but before I picked up the phone I thought i would see the collective PH massive have any hints or tips?!

TIA

randlemarcus

13,622 posts

246 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2024
quotequote all
Take a good look at the tickets you bought. Trainline do like to sell the cheapest tickets, some of which are non-refundable

UpTheIron

4,044 posts

283 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2024
quotequote all
Have you bought a return ticket? Or two single tickets?

Dr Murdoch

Original Poster:

3,760 posts

150 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2024
quotequote all
UpTheIron said:
Have you bought a return ticket? Or two single tickets?
Thanks all.

I thought they were return tickets?


Blue Oval84

5,328 posts

176 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2024
quotequote all
Dr Murdoch said:
Thanks all.

I thought they were return tickets?

Open up the menu so you can see the actual ticket type.

PhyllisOphical

798 posts

223 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2024
quotequote all
Or ask for advice at railforums disputes and prosecutions

Oh, and don't use Trainline!

Alex Z

1,773 posts

91 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2024
quotequote all
PhyllisOphical said:
Or ask for advice at railforums disputes and prosecutions

Oh, and don't use Trainline!
What is the better alternative to Trainline?

Jordie Barretts sock

6,018 posts

34 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2024
quotequote all
Alex Z said:
PhyllisOphical said:
Or ask for advice at railforums disputes and prosecutions

Oh, and don't use Trainline!
What is the better alternative to Trainline?
CrossCountry book any tickets without a fee. GWR app gives you Nectar points...

Greendubber

14,239 posts

218 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2024
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I found their webchat to be really quite good when I had an issue a few weeks ago. It may be worth trying that?

Chrisgr31

14,039 posts

270 months

Thursday 4th January 2024
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Alex Z said:
What is the better alternative to Trainline?
All the train operating companies have their own ticket buying apps which can sell tickets from and to and UK destination. Some have offers so whilst most charge a £10 admin fee for changing mind and wanting refund Southern don’t, LNER give free Wi-Fi if ticket brought through them etc.

Some train companies also offer special fares if the travel is wholly within their area and bought on their app. I generally buy train tickets from the company that will be providing my travel.

Simpo Two

88,970 posts

280 months

Thursday 4th January 2024
quotequote all
Chrisgr31 said:
I generally buy train tickets from the company that will be providing my travel.
That's like booking a hotel room with the hotel. What a mind-boggling concept in the super-fabbo 21st century!

There are too many middlemen creaming out profit from suppliers and customers.

PhyllisOphical

798 posts

223 months

Thursday 4th January 2024
quotequote all
PhyllisOphical said:
Or ask for advice at railforums disputes and prosecutions

Oh, and don't use Trainline!
Railforums also have their own booking site. This does not charge commission and also includes split ticketing which can be significantly cheaper.

Chrisgr31

14,039 posts

270 months

Friday 5th January 2024
quotequote all
PhyllisOphical said:
Railforums also have their own booking site. This does not charge commission and also includes split ticketing which can be significantly cheaper.
Although they be paid a proportion of the ticket price.

Blue Oval84

5,328 posts

176 months

Friday 5th January 2024
quotequote all
To all those saying don't use Trainline, what apps are you recommending instead? (specifically apps, I'm not interested in a desktop solution as I usually book my tickets on my phone, normally whilst running late for the train)

Thameslink and Southern don't seem to have one, but perhaps it's just as easy to download someone else's app like SouthEastern and then use it all the time for my Thameslink journeys...