Problem with cheap Virgin London/Manchester train tickets

economatrix

First of all, apologies if this should be joined to another thread. I had a look and couldn't find anything similar..

I'm going up to Manchester (from London) for a couple of days next month. I was really pleased to see that Virgin offer bargain seats for these journeys, starting from £1. On the dates I wanted, there were tickets both ways for £3. However, when I went through the booking process, it became clear that unless you have quite a sophisticated WAP enabled mobile phone, you're not actually eligible for these tickets. Now, I have two mobile - one for work, one personal. Both can access the internet and both can pick up email. But apparently neither of them are good enough to display Virgin's m-tickets.

I've emailed customer services at Virgin Trains a couple of times and there is no other way of getting these tickets. They just refer me to the e-ticketing section of the main website. Great, except the tickets there start at £15 each :mad: .

Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone have any good ideas of possible ways to get round it? It's very frustrating!!

Thanks.

dzug1

There are no ways round it except maybe borrow such a phone for the occasion.

fiscalfreckles

I've had this problem too - nobody in my family has a sophisticated enough phone!

Its very frustrating and seems very unfair; I really don't see why they can't email a ticket to you.

But I was wondering (if I ever do get to borrow a phone and get one of these fares ) how do you get through the barriers etc, do you have to show your phone display to the guard manning the gate,and the same on the train?

What a load of old hassle!

KeithP

fiscalfreckles wrote: »

<snip>
What a load of old hassle!

Worth it though for a significant money saving. I'm sure you agree.:beer:

fiscalfreckles

fiscalfreckles wrote: »

But I was wondering (if I ever do get to borrow a phone and get one of these fares ) how do you get through the barriers etc, do you have to show your phone display to the guard manning the gate,and the same on the train?

...can anyone answer this?

Quentin

Yes you do - and you must also show the card used to buy the ticket.

fiscalfreckles

Quentin wrote: »

Yes you do - and you must also show the card used to buy the ticket.

That's going to help the queues at the barrier!!!!

No go for me then, I'd have to borrow a phone for ages.