Special Offers Discussion

[The Prisoner]

This is the usual weirdy railway type of sale that it takes Sherlock Holmes to unlock.

Add a railcard to Avanti (yes I know they aren't valid) and the Rail Sale tickets don't even appear (no doubt the same across the board).

Rail Sale is available in first class on some TOCs (GWR, TfW) and not others (Avanti).

Rail Sale is available to/from Reading from Cornwall (£33 STD/£50 1st) on the 0910 from Penzance on 12/2 for example - National Rail says there are no Rail Sale tickets to Paddington at all on their website, but GWR will sell me one on that same train for £41 STD or £80 1st?!

Ugggh. Make it easy. This is supposed to attract customers to rail?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The DfT web site mentions off peak fares as well as advances.
I haven't been able to find any off peak fares (ie flexible) at all.

 

[Sleepy]

This is the usual weirdy railway type of sale that it takes Sherlock Holmes to unlock.

Add a railcard to Avanti (yes I know they aren't valid) and the Rail Sale tickets don't even appear (no doubt the same across the board).

Rail Sale is available in first class on some TOCs (GWR, TfW) and not others (Avanti).

Rail Sale is available to/from Reading from Cornwall (£33 STD/£50 1st) on the 0910 from Penzance on 12/2 for example - National Rail says there are no Rail Sale tickets to Paddington at all on their website, but GWR will sell me one on that same train for £41 STD or £80 1st?!

Ugggh. Make it easy. This is supposed to attract customers to rail?

I can see 1 ticket available at £33 on that train currently on GWR site ? Don't forget they could sit in someone's basket for up an hour.

The DfT web site mentions off peak fares as well as advances.
I haven't been able to find any off peak fares (ie flexible) at all.

Only on TOC that don't offer Advance tickets eg. C2C

 

[Edvid]

The DfT web site mentions off peak fares as well as advances.
I haven't been able to find any off peak fares (ie flexible) at all.

Those off-peak fares are only offered by TOCs (or specific brands of theirs) if they don't do Advance fares, like c2c.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I've had a few fares into Manchester from my local station for £2 or just under. Better than peak returns and (marginally) undercutting bus fares.

 

[MrJeeves]

Only on TOC that don't offer Advance tickets eg. C2C

And on some TOCs that do, like Thameslink.

Add a railcard to Avanti (yes I know they aren't valid) and the Rail Sale tickets don't even appear (no doubt the same across the board).

Retailers should still show undiscounted Sale tickets rather than only displaying tickets which can be bought with the Railcard discount. That seems like an email to Avanti should be written rather than blaming the idea of the sale.

Every other retailer I can think of would behave this way, too, so I think it's unfair to assume that's "across the board" without at least trying to see first.

 

[The Prisoner]

And on some TOCs that do, like Thameslink.


Retailers should still show undiscounted Sale tickets rather than only displaying tickets which can be bought with the Railcard discount. That seems like an email to Avanti should be written rather than blaming the idea of the sale.

Every other retailer I can think of would behave this way, too, so I think it's unfair to assume that's "across the board" without at least trying to see first.

Not going to test all of them, but GWR and LNER does show rail sale if I enter the railcard.

My point is there should be uniformity - the punter shouldn't have to navigate all these tripwires.

 

[Edvid]

And on some TOCs that do, like Thameslink.

Assume you mean GTR, since separation remains at brand level. For journeys to London there are Thameslink-only off-peak day returns to the core (south of Farringdon) and Southern-only advance singles to Victoria / London Bridge, plus a TL/SN advance single for Brighton-Victoria (fare set by "Southern", per BR Fares).

[I am aware of the ongoing collective claim against GTR and acceptance / non-acceptance of brand-specific tickets by other GTR brands in practice, but that's another topic]

 

[MrJeeves]

Assume you mean GTR, since separation remains at brand level.

It's really not relevant for the purposes of this thread.

For journeys to London there are Thameslink-only off-peak day returns to the core (south of Farringdon) and Southern-only advance singles to Victoria / London Bridge, plus a TL/SN advance single for Brighton-Victoria (fare set by "Southern", per BR Fares).

I was simply making the point that flexible rail sale tickets are not simply limited to TOCs that do not offer Advance Purchase tickets.

Thameslink Rail Sale flexible tickets are available while Thameslink also sell Advance fares day-to-day.

 

[gray1404]

Is it just me or are tickets to and from Abergele & Pensarn not included by TfW in the current sale where as tickets from Rhyl and Colwyn Bay are? If this is just an oversight is it worth me contacting TfW about?

 

[dannypye9999]

Love to know where this 50% off is? Trying to book Stockport to Sheffield for this Saturday and advance tickets are exactly the same price as any other day.

 

[MrJeeves]

Love to know where this 50% off is? Trying to book Stockport to Sheffield for this Saturday and advance tickets are exactly the same price as any other day.

Well that would probably be because...

...tickets must be bought at least 3-7 days prior to travel – varies per operator & route.

 

[Adam Williams]

Well that would probably be because...

Indeed, and if you do the same search for the weekend after you get sale fares.

 

[Mark J]

Even noting this, availability is sparse and limited to a few off peak trains, really poor imo. GWR don't restrict peak, unlike SWR too. All in all not exactly the best sale ever down south, up north looks good and there are a few bargains on XC from Exeter. Exeter to Bristol rail sale fares on XC are interesting with some at £6 and some at £26! From Cardiff to Bristol it's often cheaper using sale fares to travel via Cheltenham on XC! If you do use GWR, it's usually cheaper to split at Filton and wait for the next train to Bristol bizarrely.

I agree.

I've also found the following:

- Impossible to find the Greater Anglia £4 advance from Liverpool St to Cambridge.
- St Pancras to Canterbury is largely at 'sale prices' in Jan and early Feb. Standard pricing after middle of Feb, until sale validity date in March.
- Chiltern only offering advance fares to Birmingham. Seemingly nothing in between, or to Stratford Upon Avon.
- Any real savings on journeys going east of London, that require the use of SWR and GWR to get to London.

I'm glad I booked most of my planned journeys in the previous GWR sale. I'm found the GB Rail Sale experience somewhat frustrating in comparison.

 

[Edvid]

I was simply making the point that flexible rail sale tickets are not simply limited to TOCs that do not offer Advance Purchase tickets.

Thameslink Rail Sale flexible tickets are available while Thameslink also sell Advance fares day-to-day.

Ah, I understand what you mean now.

Is it just me or are tickets to and from Abergele & Pensarn not included by TfW in the current sale where as tickets from Rhyl and Colwyn Bay are? If this is just an oversight is it worth me contacting TfW about?

As an example Trainsplit sell them for Abergele & Pensarn - Holyhead journeys on 8 February, but I'm guessing your intended destination is elsewhere.

 

[MrJeeves]

- Impossible to find the Greater Anglia £4 advance from Liverpool St to Cambridge.

On my first attempt...

Results | TrainSplit

TrainSplit is a free service that makes it easy to find the cheapest train tickets for your journey.

beta.trainsplit.com

- St Pancras to Canterbury is largely at 'sale prices' in Jan and early Feb. Standard pricing after middle of Feb, until sale validity date in March.

Yeah, only appears available until 15 Feb.

- Chiltern only offering advance fares to Birmingham. Seemingly nothing in between, or to Stratford Upon Avon.

If we ignore all the other sale advances they offer (put from Marylebone in the Rail Sale site, for example), sure. Even Marylebone to Stratford-upon-Avon for £5! They do seem harder to find than journeys on other TOCs, though.

 

[gray1404]

Ah, I understand what you mean now.

As an example Trainsplit sell them for Abergele & Pensarn - Holyhead journeys on 8 February, but I'm guessing your intended destination is elsewhere.

Chester on 1 February. Yet they are available from the stations before and after Abergele and Pensarn.

 

[MrJeeves]

Is it just me or are tickets to and from Abergele & Pensarn not included by TfW in the current sale where as tickets from Rhyl and Colwyn Bay are? If this is just an oversight is it worth me contacting TfW about?

Chester on 1 February. Yet they are available from the stations before and after Abergele and Pensarn.

The fares from Rhyl are only on Avanti services. I imagine TfW decided Abergele & Pensarn was the arbitrary cut-off for journeys to Chester.

Since Abergele isn't served by Avanti, they won't have priced advances for the journey in the Rail Sale.

 

[winks]

Very little on Avanti, and minimal reductions for many routes anyway.

Found some advance 1st class singles on cross country website this morning reduced but no standard class ones !

 

[Dirty_Mac]

Can anyone help? It's still not working for me on LNER fares on trainsplit.

Results | TrainSplit

TrainSplit is a free service that makes it easy to find the cheapest train tickets for your journey.

beta.trainsplit.com

It works on the LNER website, but I can't add change times.

Also, does Scotrail only have sales on for advances? I can't find any Glasgow–Edinburgh tickets for example.

 

[Mark J]

On my first attempt...

Results | TrainSplit

TrainSplit is a free service that makes it easy to find the cheapest train tickets for your journey.

beta.trainsplit.com

View attachment 172775


Yeah, only appears available until 15 Feb.


If we ignore all the other sale advances they offer (put from Marylebone in the Rail Sale site, for example), sure. Even Marylebone to Stratford-upon-Avon for £5! They do seem harder to find than journeys on other TOCs, though.

View attachment 172777

Unfortunately that is no good from Reading.

Was hoping there would have been an advance fare from Bicester, or (preferably) Banbury.

Also getting to Cambridge at 4pm is no good.

I was hoping for a Saturday, or Sunday getting there before Noon.

 

[Bazball]

Am I right in thinking that the rail sale has hoovered up all the usual advances that would be available? I've just come to book my tickets for February, commuting up from Kent into London. Normally a few weeks ahead I can get cheaper advances for the return leg. But none available for Feb. Will cost me an extra £150 for the month...or has something else happened?

Am I right in thinking that the rail sale has hoovered up all the usual advances that would be available? I've just come to book my tickets for February, commuting up from Kent into London. Normally a few weeks ahead I can get cheaper advances for the return leg. But none available for Feb. Will cost me an extra £150 for the month...or has something else happened?

May also be an issue with the site I was using...seem to be able to see discounts elsewhere...

 

[tram21]

Thameslink are selling rail sale tickets past the end date of the sale. I was looking for 7th April, and they are available, so grab them now before they disappear!!

 

[gray1404]

Thameslink are selling rail sale tickets past the end date of the sale. I was looking for 7th April, and they are available, so grab them now before they disappear!!

You do understand that posting a post like that is a sure way of bringing it to the attention of the railway company.

 

[tram21]

You do understand that posting a post like that is a sure way of bringing it to the attention of the railway company.

Unfortunately I inadvertently already made them aware of the issue, by asking for the conditions of the tickets as they were incorrectly stated on the website. Otherwise I wouldn't have posted that, but its likely to be fixed soon unfortunately.

 

[gray1404]

Unfortunately I inadvertently already made them aware of the issue, by asking for the conditions of the tickets as they were incorrectly stated on the website. Otherwise I wouldn't have posted that, but its likely to be fixed soon unfortunately.

So as well as posting on here you also contacted the train company directly about the error. Hmmmm. Was it really necessary to ask for the conditions given the general conditions of ticket types and the overall conditions of the sale are available from many places online already.

I think for future reference the rule of thumb, and certainly the advise I've been given by forum members, is when such errors occur is to not bring them to the attention of the train company but just quietly book and enjoy the fares while they last thus not ruining it for others.

 

[tram21]

Was it really necessary to ask for the conditions given the general conditions of ticket types and the overall conditions of the sale are available from many places online already.

Given on their website it said that the Off Peak Day Return was only valid on the booked train, which would have caused and their customer services responded differently saying it was valid on any train (as expected, but not guaranteed), yes I did need to ask...
They asked for full details of the ticket I was trying to buy, which included the date of travel. I hadn't realised, until they pointed it out, that it was actually outside the dates of the sale, otherwise I wouldn't have alerted them.

But for anyone buying the Sale Off Peak Day returns for Thameslink, they are valid on any off peak train I am told.

 

[MrJeeves]

But for anyone buying the Sale Off Peak Day returns for Thameslink, they are valid on any off peak train I am told.

Well, any train that complies with the restrictions of the ticket, yes.

 

[gray1404]

Given on their website it said that the Off Peak Day Return was only valid on the booked train, which would have caused and their customer services responded differently saying it was valid on any train (as expected, but not guaranteed), yes I did need to ask...
They asked for full details of the ticket I was trying to buy, which included the date of travel. I hadn't realised, until they pointed it out, that it was actually outside the dates of the sale, otherwise I wouldn't have alerted them.

But for anyone buying the Sale Off Peak Day returns for Thameslink, they are valid on any off peak train I am told.

The defacto conditions of the off peak day return will apply by default.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Unfortunately that is no good from Reading.

Was hoping there would of been an advance fare from Bicester, or (preferably) Banbury.

Also getting to Cambridge at 4pm is no good.

Was hoping for a Saturday, or Sunday getting there before Noon.

As a general rule, Rail Sale tickets are only available for TOC-specific routes. CrossCountry only offer walk-up tickets between Banbury and Cambridge so the closest you'd get would be Leamington Spa - Cambridge.