Virgin trains automated ticket collection machines

[lost in espace]

A mate abroad wants me to book a ticket with Virgin trains for next week, and he will collect the ticket at the automated machine with the code that Virgin email me. However the web site is telling me you need my credit card and the code to get the tickets.

Can anyone confirm if there is a way to buy a ticket to be collected at the station without the credit card being there?

[hugoagogo]

can't he book using his card, but your address?
I used my mum's address last time i did this

brilliant service from virgin - foreigners not welcome

[lost in espace]

He has an Asus running Linux with him in Thailand (working his way through the bar girls I suspect) which won't run the Java or sumsuch, hence he has asked me to sort for him.

[wobert]

lost in espace said:

A mate abroad wants me to book a ticket with Virgin trains for next week, and he will collect the ticket at the automated machine with the code that Virgin email me. However the web site is telling me you need my credit card and the code to get the tickets.

Can anyone confirm if there is a way to buy a ticket to be collected at the station without the credit card being there?

I used this service yesterday after booking tickets on-line on Monday.

System works well.

Looks like you'll have to get him to book the tickets himself using a card he has possession of, as I don't think there is a way around the system.

Alternatively, why doesn't send you his card details for you to book?

Edited by wobert on Wednesday 10th September 13:42

[bigandclever]

I'm not sure if this is going to be of any use, but....

I had some (as was) GNER tickets to pick up from the FastTicket machines at Leeds, but left my wallet at home. I went to the first class lounge to see if they could help. The lady behind the counter did some jiggery pokery on her computer using the reference number (which I had on my phone) and a bit of info from me as to what tickets I had booked, and printed them off for me. It seems she could get into the system that showed I hadn't already picked them up. Wouldn't want to rely on that info though

[hugoagogo]

wobert said:

Alternatively, why doesn't send you his card details for you to book?

that seems the best idea

(assuming then his card doesn't get blocked for showing Virgin trains in England and Happy Virgin strip club in Thailand on the same day)

[marshalla]

wobert said:

Looks like you'll have to get him to book the tickets himself using a card he has possession of, as I don't think there is a way around the system.

Alternatively, why doesn't send you his card details for you to book?

I think the card needs to be inserted into the machine to get it to print the tickets...

[princeperch]

I know for a fact that the fast ticket machines don't require the exact card they were booked on to be inserted - any credit/debit card will work.

[lost in espace]

Thats great Prince! Cheers