Special Offers Discussion

[TheSmiths82]

With £1 advance fares I expect a number of people will buy more than one ticket to travel back home with, then they can choose to spend longer or shorter in the destination, depending how things go.

I was surprised they didn't do a Ryanair approach with the £1 fares and offer £1 fares to Edinburgh but not from Edinburgh.

I am guessing quite a lot of extra work would be needed for their booking system to make that work, as I assuming the booking system is just an industry standard one modified with their own special prices. It would make sense though, although if I had to pay £50 for a single to come back I wouldn't have bothered. Ironically I suspect the hotel industry will gain the most out of this sale .

 

[A S Leib]

From midnight on 23 January, 50% discounts on selected advance and off-peak tickets in and to / from England and Wales as part of the return of the Great British Rail Sale.

Tickets will be available to buy for a week for travel between 30 January and 15 March.

Passengers will have from 23 to 29 January 2024 to claim up to 50% off selected advance and off-peak rail tickets, through the Great British Rail Sale.

Over a million discounted tickets will be available to destinations across England and Wales, as well as on cross-border trips into Scotland, for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March 2024.

Whether it’s a city break, family holiday or countryside escape, passengers are encouraged to make the most of this sale to get to popular destinations across the country.

Popular journeys passengers could claim savings* on tickets for include:

RouteStandard price Sale price
Portsmouth to Penzance£43 £21
Birmingham to Bristol£30.60 £15.30
Manchester to Leeds£8.60 £4.30
Leicester to Sheffield£7.30 £3.60

Strike days are excluded, and the website does seem to confirm that the LNER fares trial is the DfT's initiative.

It isn't specified, but I'd imagine that it's mutually exclusive with railcard discounts; I don't suppose anybody knows if last year's offer included First Class? (It is probably mentioned somewhere in this thread, but that's 166 pages to look through.)

 

[CyrusWuff]

From midnight on 23 January, 50% discounts on selected advance and off-peak tickets in and to / from England and Wales as part of the return of the Great British Rail Sale.

Tickets will be available to buy for a week for travel between 30 January and 15 March.


Strike days are excluded, and the website does seem to confirm that the LNER fares trial is the DfT's initiative.

It isn't specified, but I'd imagine that it's mutually exclusive with railcard discounts; I don't suppose anybody knows if last year's offer included First Class? (It is probably mentioned somewhere in this thread, but that's 166 pages to look through.)

No Railcard discounts, and if it's the same as last time First Class is at the discretion of the TOCs I believe.

 

[800Travel]

Anyone remember if LNER offered first class 50% off last time please?

 

[A S Leib]

Anyone remember if LNER offered first class 50% off last time please?

I'm not sure, but from what I can find LNER excluded Fridays and weekends last time. I know that single tickets for journeys on multiple TOCs weren't available either.

 

[Adam Williams]

Anyone remember if LNER offered first class 50% off last time please?

They offered 1st class Rail Sale Advances, yes.

No Railcard discounts, and if it's the same as last time First Class is at the discretion of the TOCs I believe.

7 day rolling buffer period too, so it's crucial to book in advance.

Lots of attempts to avoid "revenue abstraction" this year.

 

[ScotTrains]

It says it's valid for journeys across England and Wales and for cross border trips into Scotland. Does this mean it won't be valid for internal trips in Scotland?

 

[mangyiscute]

It says it's valid for journeys across England and Wales and for cross border trips into Scotland. Does this mean it won't be valid for internal trips in Scotland?

Yep that's how I read it, I guess ScotRail aren't a part of it.

 

[Haywain]

the website does seem to confirm that the LNER fares trial is the DfT's initiative.

Don't be fooled - it's very much driven by people inside LNER, and they've been looking to do something like this for several years.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Anyone remember if LNER offered first class 50% off last time please?

First and Standard, only problem is First tends to be busy on a lot of trains (at least when I'm travelling)

 

[aquae39]

From midnight on 23 January, 50% discounts on selected advance and off-peak tickets in and to / from England and Wales as part of the return of the Great British Rail Sale.

Tickets will be available to buy for a week for travel between 30 January and 15 March.


Strike days are excluded, and the website does seem to confirm that the LNER fares trial is the DfT's initiative.

It isn't specified, but I'd imagine that it's mutually exclusive with railcard discounts; I don't suppose anybody knows if last year's offer included First Class? (It is probably mentioned somewhere in this thread, but that's 166 pages to look through.)

I've checked brfares data and seems can't use the railcard together with the sale price, which is not a huge bargain. Most of the GWR sale prices will be the same as their sale and not a big difference for railcard holders. XC has better sale prices even for railcard holders although not as big as last time.

 

[northwichcat]

I am guessing quite a lot of extra work would be needed for their booking system to make that work, as I assuming the booking system is just an industry standard one modified with their own special prices. It would make sense though, although if I had to pay £50 for a single to come back I wouldn't have bothered. Ironically I suspect the hotel industry will gain the most out of this sale .

Not really. Sale fares aren't loaded for selected services that are likely to be very busy e.g. 5pm departure from a big city. It would be just as easy to load them for one direction, and then in the other direction to leave just the normal Advance fares. Northern did that (possibly by error) for certain flows in their sale.

A £1 sale is really marketing. A lot of people who have never used TPE will now either plan to try their service, or will know it exists.

 

[TheSmiths82]

Not really. Sale fares aren't loaded for selected services that are likely to be very busy e.g. 5pm departure from a big city. It would be just as easy to load them for one direction, and then in the other direction to leave just the normal Advance fares. Northern did that (possibly by error) for certain flows in their sale.

A £1 sale is really marketing. A lot of people who have never used TPE will now either plan to try their service, or will know it exists.

In normal times I get that, but half the of their advertised services won't turn up, it will be over crowded, you then get told to get on a Pendolino instead and get off at Preston, to then be told you can't travel on this train as it is too crowded so you have to get a coach we have put on for you instead I know what I am letting myself in for though. To be fair my experience last year with TPE going to Scarborough wasn't too bad, both trains I intended to get were cancelled, but I know the day before via (Real Time Trains) so I just got earlier/later ones. For the average person though, if they have never used TPE before and their experience is "train cancelled, the next one is in two hours time" it may back fire on them.

And yep the times for my Edinburgh trains are not ones I would have chosen for £2 I am not complaining.

 

[A S Leib]

And yep the times for my Edinburgh trains are not ones I would have chosen for £2 I am not complaining.

I've gone for the 04:23 Newcastle – Newton-le-Willows (and managed to pick a day with engineering works around Machynlleth and Rhyl, which is slightly annoying) and 20:13 return; an 07:49 NCL to Leeds and 18:42 return, which are times I'm definitely not complaining about; an 07:49 to Manchester Victoria and 19:37 return; and 07:43 to York, returning at 18:07.

 

[TheSmiths82]

I've gone for the 04:23 Newcastle – Newton-le-Willows (and managed to pick a day with engineering works around Machynlleth and Rhyl, which is slightly annoying) and 20:13 return; an 07:49 NCL to Leeds and 18:42 return, which are times I'm definitely not complaining about; an 07:49 to Manchester Victoria and 19:37 return; and 07:43 to York, returning at 18:07.

Mine are both 11:45 Manchester Picc to Edinburgh (so I can get on the train earlier to make sure I get my seat), and I think around 3:00pm coming back two days later. So it is a bit annoying but I do at least get a full day in Edinburgh, I have my Leeds for one night too if the weather is a lot worse in Edinburgh. I just don't really have enough time to make much use of these offers as I work during the week and often have other things to do at weekends.

 

[Edvid]

Govia Thameslink Railway have issued a press release on their portion of the GBRS tickets, which will not be sold for journeys made between 30 January and 6 February (given the ASLEF overtime ban during that period).

EMBARGOED TO 00:01 HOURS SATURDAY 20 JANUARY 2024

The Department for Transport has issued the press release below under embargo.

As set out in the DfT press release, we’ve changed the dates slightly on which the discounted journeys can be made to help manage the reduced capacity that will operate during the period of industrial action; whilst still ensuring people can make the most of the savings.

Therefore, from Tuesday 23 January to Monday 29 January we will be selling the following GBRS tickets for journeys made from Wednesday 7 February up to and including Friday 15 March 2024:

• Southern Advance tickets on selected journeys where these tickets are normally available, with the normal restrictions
• On Great Northern and Thameslink Off-Peak Day Return fares from our stations outside London Zones 1-6 to London Terminals (or London Thameslink if that option is not available), with the same time restrictions as the full priced tickets

Some examples:

• Save £22.50 from journeys into London and back from King’s Lynn
• Save £17.90 on journeys into London and back from Bedford
• Save £15.10 from journeys into London and back from Cambridge

 

[Buzby]

Would I be right in assuming that our Forum Rail Tickets partner will be offering these discounted fares from 0000 on 23rd…? I’d rather purchase there than play Russian Roulette with a selection of retailers!

 

[AY1975]

The press release on the DfT website (linked from entry #4,996 above) says:

"Sale tickets will start to become available from midnight on Tuesday 23 January. The Rail Delivery Group will host a central webpage helping customers find the best deals, and tickets can also be found on all ticket retailer websites, for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March."

I can't find the said central webpage anywhere on the RDG site, but I suppose that doesn't matter if they will also be available via all ticket retailer sites.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

The press release on the DfT website (linked from entry #4,996 above) says:

"Sale tickets will start to become available from midnight on Tuesday 23 January. The Rail Delivery Group will host a central webpage helping customers find the best deals, and tickets can also be found on all ticket retailer websites, for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March."

I can't find the said central webpage anywhere on the RDG site, but I suppose that doesn't matter if they will also be available via all ticket retailer sites.

Said central webpage might not be up yet as we haven't yet reached 23 January.

 

[CyrusWuff]

The press release on the DfT website (linked from entry #4,996 above) says:

"Sale tickets will start to become available from midnight on Tuesday 23 January. The Rail Delivery Group will host a central webpage helping customers find the best deals, and tickets can also be found on all ticket retailer websites, for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March."

I can't find the said central webpage anywhere on the RDG site, but I suppose that doesn't matter if they will also be available via all ticket retailer sites.

The NRE page is https://nre.co.uk/railsale but it's just a holding page at present.

 

[Mark J]

I've checked brfares data and seems can't use the railcard together with the sale price, which is not a huge bargain. Most of the GWR sale prices will be the same as their sale and not a big difference for railcard holders. XC has better sale prices even for railcard holders although not as big as last time.

There were some excellent bargains in the GWR sale.

Managed to bag:

Reading > Worcester for £10 return.
Reading > Hereford for £14 return.
Reading > Cardiff for £28.70 return
Reading > Bristol for £30.64 return

----

Will the Great British Rail Sale tickets be available through third party apps and websites (including RF's own site)?

Tickets for the GWR January Sale were.

 

[mangyiscute]

There were some excellent bargains in the GWR sale.

Managed to bag:

Reading > Worcester for £10 return.
Reading > Hereford for £14 return.
Reading > Cardiff for £28.70 return
Reading > Bristol for £30.64 return

----

Will the Great British Rail Sale tickets be available through third party apps and websites (including RF's own site)?

Tickets for the GWR January Sale were.

I think it states that the tickets will be available through all ticket selling websites and apps

 

[Mike395]

Yes - TrainSplit (and by association, the forum's site) will be selling Rail Sale fares - they're available to all retailers, not just the TOCs.

 

[MrJeeves]

Will the Great British Rail Sale tickets be available through third party apps and websites (including RF's own site)?

Yes. If we suggest tickets part of the sale, you'll see a £ symbol in the corner on the grid view on TrainSplit or the forum's site.

Unrelated FYI but some of the rail sale fares have been purchasable for a few days now... I bought a flexible return to London on Thameslink earlier for £8.80:




Since GTR themselves are already selling the £8.80 London flexible returns, I think that screenshot is fair (fare? ) game!

 

[800Travel]

Will all sites be selling at the same prices please? I note it says up to 50% off. Also, re discounted first class, I read that some tocs offer this and not others. If a TOC offers this, will it also be available from all retailer websites like the standard discounts, or only their own please? Thank you

 

[MrJeeves]

Will all sites be selling at the same prices please? I note it says up to 50% off. Also, re discounted first class, I read that some tocs offer this and not others. If a TOC offers this, will it also be available from all retailer websites like the standard discounts, or only their own please? Thank you

Yep, all retailers will (should!) have identical pricing and availability (including first).

 

[alistairlees]

Yes. If we suggest tickets part of the sale, you'll see a £ symbol in the corner on the grid view on TrainSplit or the forum's site.

Unrelated FYI but some of the rail sale fares have been purchasable for a few days now... I bought a flexible return to London on Thameslink earlier for £8.80:

View attachment 150850

Yes, we just noticed that too.

Will all sites be selling at the same prices please? I note it says up to 50% off. Also, re discounted first class, I read that some tocs offer this and not others. If a TOC offers this, will it also be available from all retailer websites like the standard discounts, or only their own please? Thank you

All Great British Rail Sale fares will be available from all retailers at the same prices.

 

[Commuting]

I’m having a look on the forum ticket site for the GBRS. On the route I wish to travel (Durham to Newcastle), it seems only Cross Country is offering a discount on any date and TPE and LNER have no discounts. Off peak day singles seem to have no discount at all.

Is this correct, or perhaps will LNER/TPE be coming online later in the day? Was hoping to get a few cheap LNER first class journeys to make use of the lounge.

Thank you

 

[MrJeeves]

The sale starts today, but some TOCs may only release availability later in the day (Avanti say 10am online I think?).

Due to the nature of how advance ticket availability is found, tickets might appear first on some websites before others as some retailers will cache availability so as to not overload the reservations system.

 

[Commuting]

The sale starts today, but some TOCs may only release availability later in the day (Avanti say 10am online I think?).

Due to the nature of how advance ticket availability is found, tickets might appear first on some websites before others as some retailers will cache availability so as to not overload the reservations system.

Thank you - I’d seen midnight on gov.uk so hadn’t realised it would vary.

I can’t seem to find an in date rail sale page for TPE, LNER or Cross country (unlike Avanti).

Does anyone have links for these please? Trying to work out who is offering first vs standard, and who allows railcards too.

Thank you