LNER app only selling e-tickets?

[TravellingTyke]

I recently booked a trip from London King's Cross to Bradford, travelling outbound on LNER to Forster Square and returning on Grand Central from the Interchange. I booked through the LNER app, to take advantage of the 10% AmEx cashback (I know some are getting 12%, but I'm not).

I was quite surprised that the  only ticket fulfilment option was a e-ticket. I normally prefer to use TOD and pick the ticket up from the machine before I leave, because I get battery anxiety and want to be able to be sure I can show my ticket when the inspector comes. Yes, I know I can print out the e-ticket, but that doesn't fit in my National Rail ticket wallet...

Anyway. Is this normal? I did make a concerted effort to find the option to change fulfilment to TOD, but gave in and chose e-ticket as it seemed like my only option. If there's somewhere else I should look to be able to pick TOD, I'd be grateful if someone would be kind enough to point me in the right direction.

Or, do I just need to join the 21st century and switch to e-ticketing (or buy from another site...)?

Thanks in advance
tt

 

[Joe Paxton]

Some other TOC apps only offer e-tickets (if enabled for that journey) too, so it's not just LNER.

 

[mm333]

If you buy from LNER through the web browser, you can choose paper tickets. I did this last week when buying tickets for friends.

 

[HughT]

Or, do I just need to join the 21st century and switch to e-ticketing (or buy from another site...)?

Please don't give up - trying to discourage the use of paper tickets is why they're making it more difficult to buy them. If you want to use an LNER account, then their website (as mm333 says above) still offers the option. But there's always the Forum's own booking site.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Please don't give up - trying to discourage the use of paper tickets is why they're making it more difficult to buy them. If you want to use an LNER account, then their website (as mm333 says above) still offers the option. But there's always the Forum's own booking site.

Please do give up and join the 21st Century

 

[Hadders]

While I like tickets on CCST I don't lose sleep over this sort of thing. If you want the Amex discount then just get an eticket.

 

[ivorytoast28]

Please do give up and join the 21st Century

If only I could when making cross london journeys... Worse yet when the ticket machines at kings cross rub it in your face when collecting your paper ticket with "next time buy an e ticket"

 

[trainophile]

Is the desperate enthusiasm on here because the guards get a bonus for every e- ticket they scan?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is the desperate enthusiasm on here because the guards get a bonus for every e- ticket they scan?

Given that I don't work for the railway, hardly. I'm a fan because they save me time - no longer must I arrive at a station an arbitrary amount of time before the train in case of a queue, I can time it much more precisely and buy my ticket while I'm walking there. (Journey times on foot are extremely predictable for most people - unless the walk involves something like a pedestrian crossing on a busy road you're talking within seconds day to day).

That they also save the railway money is one of those rare business "win wins". There's no disadvantage to me, plenty of advantages and the railway saves too.

 

[Bungle965]

Is the desperate enthusiasm on here because the guards get a bonus for every e- ticket they scan?

LNER guards have no such arrangement as far as I am aware!

 

[Haywain]

LNER guards have no such arrangement as far as I am aware!

They don't.

 

[trainophile]

Some operators do I believe?

 

[Wallsendmag]

If only I could when making cross london journeys... Worse yet when the ticket machines at kings cross rub it in your face when collecting your paper ticket with "next time buy an e ticket"

You missed the save time part of the message ,all my own work

Some operators do I believe?

Indeed they do

 

[cona321]

The problem with e-tickets are that when there are disruptions or planned engineering works, TfL does not accept them whilst accepting paper tickets.

 

[azOOOOOma]

Is the desperate enthusiasm on here because the guards get a bonus for every e- ticket they scan?

That’s news to me. Do tell me more…

 

[Haywain]

That’s news to me. Do tell me more…

Some other TOCs, not LNER.

 

[ivorytoast28]

You missed the save time part of the message

Yes, you're right that is the full message they display - it's so annoying especially at that location where you're having to pick up your paper ticket on arrival at kings cross in order to continue your journey across London with no other choice!

 

[Djgr]

If you buy from LNER through the web browser, you can choose paper tickets. I did this last week when buying tickets for friends.

Indeed...and you still get your AMEX kickback.