Virgin on train ticket charge/sort of fine. How to appeal??

19vivat

Hi
I don't know whether anyone can advise, but hopefully someone can. My young son just came from Manchester with a ticket he paid £25 for and a young person's travel card. when he handed them to the ticket inspector on the Virgin train, he was told the youngpersons card was out of date (it ran out in november but he hadn't realised.) He was charged for a new ticket £65 which he paid, but was given no credit for the other ticket. the inspector took his ticket and young persons card as well as the £65. It seems to me that he should be able to ask Virgin for a refund for the £25. He says he has a receipt showing what he paid. Any advice gratefully received. Many thanks

DireEmblem

Its worth a shot, but imo virgin are correct in that the ticket had expired, and as such you are classed as without a ticket and pay full price.

Anihilator

Your son cant get a refund because he bought the wrong ticket.

Mids_Costcutter

Your son may have no rights here, but why not try writing a polite and humble letter to VT suggesting that some reimbursement would be appreciated - appeal to their better nature? After all these days (apparently) we are customers not passengers!

dzug1

If the £25 ticket was an anytime or off peak ticket, a refund less a £10 fee should be obtainable with no problems.

If it was an advance ticket then it's not refundable. Midscostcutters' advice may still apply though

DaveMacD

Maybe it's different with Virgin, but the company policy for the mob I work with is that the ticket should be excessed up to the appropriate standard fare they would be charged if they had no ticket (although that does also depend on the customer. It wouldn't be the first time that someone threw a hissy fit, and then got hit for the full price). So if he he had to buy a single for £65, then he would be charged the difference of £40. As I say, that's the policy where I work, but Virgin may be different. Worth a try. They were right to confiscate the YP card though, and if company policy IS different, then the original ticket is needed for the paperwork for a travel irregularity report.

19vivat

thanks to everyone. i will suggest he tries at least to get £15 back without. very useful advice.

Quentin

You have been correctly charged for a new ticket, as you didn't have a valid railcard.

The railcard conditions cover this:

You must carry your Railcard with you on your journey and when asked by rail staff, you must show a valid ticket and valid Railcard. If you fail to do so, you will be required to pay the full price Standard Single fare for your journey as if no ticket was purchased before starting the journey and in some cases a Penalty Fare.