Crosscountry m-tickets

[Pauljw11]

Hi, I have just installed the crosscountry app on my phone. If I download a ticket onto it, is there anyway I can get any sort of a receipt to claim expenses?

 

[Hadders]

M tickets are best avoided. In many cases they offer less flexibility and fewer rights.

I'd stick with paper tickets.

 

[Paul Kelly]

You get a confirmation e-mail containing full details of the journey, the ticket issued, card used and amount charged, transaction time etc. - maybe that would be enough?

I've found M-tickets to be handy for saving time buying a ticket when you're on your way to the station and know definitely which train you'll be catching and have already confirmed it's running on time etc.

 

[gordonthemoron]

When claiming expenses on Virgin M-Tickets, I supply the confirmation email and a screen shot of the M-Ticket which is easy on an iPhone and slightly more tricky on a Samsung

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

M tickets are best avoided. In many cases they offer less flexibility and fewer rights.

I'd stick with paper tickets.

Please elaborate? Fewer rights? How so?

I have used virgin's m tickets for years without issue also now using Arriva Trains Wales m tickets and so far so good.

A ticket is a ticket rights are the same weather it be card, paper or m- ticket.

 

[gordonthemoron]

you can't get a refund on a Virgin M-Ticket

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

you can't get a refund on a Virgin M-Ticket

Not what their website says.....

https://www.virgintrains.co.uk/tickets/get-your-ticket



Things you should know before you choose an m-ticket
Hide more info

All m-tickets can be exchanged or refunded for a small fee, except for Advance tickets (these are non-refundable).

When using an m-ticket you'll need to:

Activate your m-ticket on the day of travel, from within the app, and show it to inspectors while on the train.
Ensure your mobile is charged – if you are unable to display your m-ticket, you’ll need to buy a new ticket at the full fare.
What services are m-tickets available for?
Since 23 February 2016, m-tickets are now available for all tickets on Virgin Trains services along the West Coast Mainline.

Lost or not received your m-ticket?
Your m-ticket is saved in the ‘My Tickets’ section of the Virgin Trains app. If it hasn't appeared after two hours, or you lose your phone (touch wood this doesn’t happen), please give our After Sales team a call on 03445 56 56 50. Calls are charged at standard BT rates. Other operators may vary.

 

[gordonthemoron]

perhaps I couldn't get a refund on the M-Ticket I was using as it was worth less than £10 each or it was the day of travel?

 

[Puffing Devil]

you can't get a refund on a Virgin M-Ticket

This all day long. Same with the eTix.

Fine if you are 100% no changes or refunds, otherwise best avoided.

 

[gordonthemoron]

My recent gripe with Virgin M-Tickets is that I had one which would not download so I had to buy another ticket

 

[gordonthemoron]

and Virgin ticket staff at Euston offered no help whatsoever

 

[Merseysider]

If you're on a train with a mobile ticket and your phone dies, you're now in breach of the Byelaws. Fine if you're on a Voyager, not so fine if you're on Northern where there aren't any plug sockets.

If the ticket is a flexible one, and you realise you need to travel further/take a different ticketed route/travel in the peak with an off-peak/excess to first class, then you can't without refunding and reissuing, at a cost of £10. With a traditional paper ticket, any decent ticket office can issue these excess fares in a matter of minutes.

If you can't get signal, you can't activate your ticket, ergo you're boarding without a valid ticket.

And of course, it takes the guard about three times as long to verify that a mobile ticket is valid, which on a frequent stopper can really add up.

 

[Pauljw11]

OP back! Thanks to all who replied. This is in relation to a job interview where the "person the other end" will pay expenses, so I decided to play safe and buy traditional tickets as no-one seems to be sure of the situation.

 

[Hadders]

Please elaborate? Fewer rights? How so?

I have used virgin's m tickets for years without issue also now using Arriva Trains Wales m tickets and so far so good.

A ticket is a ticket rights are the same weather it be card, paper or m- ticket.

Try getting a change or route excess, or an over distance excess.

Some operators claim they don't accept M tickets on inter-available routes (see separate thread on validity of The Key on VTEC between Stevenage and London - ok I know that's a smart card not an M ticket but the same principle applies).

I'm all for using technology but not where it gives less flexibility.

 

[SickyNicky]

It's also worth remembering that "on the day" tickets, such as CrossCountry advances can still be purchased on "old fashioned" orange tickets, if you so desire.

 

[Merseysider]

It's also worth remembering that "on the day" tickets, such as CrossCountry advances can still be purchased on "old fashioned" orange tickets, if you so desire.

How is this done?

I'm assuming not via the XC app, as this only offers me m-tickets.

 

[SickyNicky]

We sell them at TrainSplit. I'm sure others must do as well. You just buy them online and you can collect from the machines immediately.

 

[Merseysider]

We sell them at TrainSplit. I'm sure others must do as well. You just buy them online and you can collect from the machines immediately.

Thanks

 

[takno]

How is this done?

I'm assuming not via the XC app, as this only offers me m-tickets.

XC website will still issue them I think (haven't tried since January)