Gatwick ticket refund (as not valid for Gatwick Express)

mr1974

Hi

I was going to gatwick the other day and bought these tickets (one way, 2 peope) from the automatic machines at victoria for gatwick and boarded the gatwick express.

Later, on the train I discovered the tickets weren't valid and had to pay 17.5 on the train for each of the tickets. I noticed at that time a small print on the ticket reading "not valid for gatwick express".

Can I ask for a refund for the tickets I haven't used, and what's the most effective way f approaching this.

Inputs appreciated in case someone has already been through this and has any advice - or reckons there's no chance of recovering any money.

Thanks
MR

alan99_2

Hi

Dont know what all that is about. Did you show your tickets on board to the GE ticket collector and were turned down?

I specifically asked the ticket checker on Gatwick Express last October if Southern tickets are usable on Gatwick Express . I was told yes you just pay the difference in the price on board, no surcharge or penalty . The info Network Rail railway guys at Gatwick said the same when I asked them "for future reference" *
That time I had a GE ticket but next time I will buy a Southern one in advance and use it on Southern or GE.

*unless they have changed rules since last year.

Alan

ticketcollector

You can use "ANY PERMITTED" tickets on Gatwick Express.
You cannot use "NOT GAT EXP" / "FCC ONLY" tickets on Gatwick Express.

As for getting a refund, you might get a minimal refund. There is also an admin fee of £10 which often wipes out the original ticket cost.
If you have both tickets still, take them to a ticket office (the same company is best i.e. southern) and ask for a refund form (its red). Fill in the top details and staple both tickets (after taking a copy for your records) to the form.

You might get a minimal refund.

dzug1

alan99 wrote: »

Hi

Dont know what all that is about. Did you show your tickets on board to the GE ticket collector and were turned down?

I specifically asked the ticket checker on Gatwick Express last October if Southern tickets are usable on Gatwick Express . I was told yes you just pay the difference in the price on board, no surcharge or penalty . The info Network Rail railway guys at Gatwick said the same when I asked them "for future reference" *
That time I had a GE ticket but next time I will buy a Southern one in advance and use it on Southern or GE.

*unless they have changed rules since last year.

Alan

The rules have changed since last year - changes in travel plans, to a train on which the original ticket is not valid, incur a £10 amendment fee plus any difference in fare. The rules are written with advance purchase tickets in mind but I'm fairly sure they apply to normal tickets as well.

mr1974

dzug1 wrote: »

The rules have changed since last year - changes in travel plans, to a train on which the original ticket is not valid, incur a £10 amendment fee plus any difference in fare. The rules are written with advance purchase tickets in mind but I'm fairly sure they apply to normal tickets as well.

Thank you both for the inputs. I should still see some money which is good.

Feel slightly duped here, as there was no obvious alert when buying the ticket from the machine, and it's quite clear many people buying a ticket for gatwick go to the airport; I wonder how many get fooled.

The ticket inspector was so quick in understanding the situation and emitting the £17.50 price that I wonder how many people get fooled into this. How convenient for them to keep the status quo.

MR

robt_2

mr1974 wrote: »

Thank you both for the inputs. I should still see some money which is good.

Feel slightly duped here, as there was no obvious alert when buying the ticket from the machine, and it's quite clear many people buying a ticket for gatwick go to the airport; I wonder how many get fooled.

The ticket inspector was so quick in understanding the situation and emitting the £17.50 price that I wonder how many people get fooled into this. How convenient for them to keep the status quo.

MR

I know you might be feeling a bit bitter about it, but I found it perfectly clear when I have used the machines in the past - AND it was clearly stated on the actual tickets before you boarded the train.

ticketcollector

unfortunately it does state on the tickets under the route bit.

Not Gat Exp.

alan99_2

Okay it may be a moot point now. But like I said I was told last October that I could use a Southern ticket on GEX. Did the tickets then say "not valid on GEX" ? If so then I would have taken it to mean (at that time) that if you use it on GEX you have to pay the difference only , on board, because of the then special fare arrangements on GEX , ie pay on board allowed.

Alan

mr1974

ticketcollector wrote: »

unfortunately it does state on the tickets under the route bit.

Not Gat Exp.

But that is exactly my point! You can only have a look at the ticket AFTER you bought it, when it's too late!!

And if the screens also inform you of that, then I missed it. I just wish they had made it clearer overall, as I am not normally that easy to fool... I wonder what happens to the old lady.
MR

ticketcollector

Hmm

If you got on my train with a "Not Gat Exp" ticket, I would have charged you the difference between what you had paid and the price of the new "Any Permitted" Ticket.
Using current prices, I would have charged you an extra £7 each.

I guess you were charged a completely new ticket on board.

SDS - STD DAY SINGLE SN
00777 - SOUTHERN ONLY
1 Adult @£ 10.90 = £ 10.90

SOS - STD OPEN SINGLE GXR
00724 - GATWICK EXP ONLY
1 Adult @£ 17.90 = £ 17.90

ticketcollector

Found this in one of our internal documents which may help your chance of a refund.


Customers wishing to use Train Company-specific tickets on another Train Company's services
National Rail Condition Of Carriage, Condition 10, refers.

The validity of some tickets is restricted to services of a particular Train Company. Where the 'route' shown on the ticket specifies a particular Train Company name(s) for the main part of the journey it cannot be used on any other Train Company's service for that part of the journey unless authorised for this purpose (e.g. train service disruption).

No excess fare is charged and customers should purchase a new ticket to travel on the train.

The Train Company issuing the original ticket may provide refunds for unused portions of the customers’ original tickets. Administration fees may be charged.

Simplifier - Use of Train Company-specific tickets on another Train Company’s services


No opportunity to buy ticket before boarding
Railcard discounts
Yes provided the original ticket is discounted
Travel by a Train Company other than that stated on the ticket.
Charge the appropriate Single or Return fare for the journey being made as if no ticket is held.

Opportunity to buy a ticket before boarding
Railcard discounts
No Railcard discount
Travel by a Train Company other than that stated on the ticket.
Charge the appropriate Single or Return fare for the journey being made as if no ticket is held.


Notes:

The above is subject to any local instructions;

Customer may be entitled to a refund on their original ticket;

Reference to ‘appropriate fare’ means the cheapest Single or Return ticket available for immediate travel on chosen service