Advice on virgin trains

skyranger

Hi guys

I am going down to london on saturday for an interview. I have booked a return for a set time coming back 18:05 as an open return is something silling like 400 quid.

If I miss the 18:05 due to whatever reason - tube problems etc. Can I hop on the later train at say 18:35 and not be charged. I don't want that to happen and they try to charge me a big fee.

Sorry if it sounds a silly question.

pompeyrich

You should try your best, as I am sure you will, to get the train you are booked on as the lack of flexibility is the reason it wasn't £400.
Not sure how much they would charge you but they only sell standard single tickets on board their trains for people without tickets and these are very expensive.

skyranger

Anyone else know, just worried that I might be late.

sockospice

If you're travelling on a saturday, you can use a saver ticket as on any train as there are no restrictions. As you have an AP ticket, if you miss that train you must upgrade your ticket to a saver before travelling (on board there is no opportunity to upgrade to a saver, you'd have to do it to an open single)

pompeyrich

Socko, think he has a value ticket for a specific train, non flexible and wants to know the penalty for getting a later train than he has a ticket for.

Bob63

skyranger wrote:

Anyone else know, just worried that I might be late.

Excuse me if I'm stating the obvious, but if timing is to tight that you think you might be late then why not book the 18:35? If you get there early then you have time to grab a coffee and unwind.

Despite being a huge fan of Virgin Atlantic, am I the only one who finds it amusing that any travel company (trains/planes) would use the Virgin name? "Virgin - trains that don't go all the way". Could be a catchy slogan. Maybe I'll give Richard a call...

Mike

Astaroth

Well, have known too many people who have wanted to join the mile high club with a Virgin (plane)

As others say, it depends exactly what ticket you have bought. If it is an apex advanced ticket (or what ever they call them) then they are only valid on the train specified. If it is a simple saver ticket then they can be used on any train.

coral

It is only valid on the set train, however I have missed my train before, find the train manager before the train leaves & explain the situation and as long as its not too unreasonable (30mins is reasonable I think!) i've never had a problem!

skyranger

It's Ticket Type: SAVER RETURN

Its just the worse case sceniero I suppose. Lets say it won't be my fault I will be late but not impressed with the company I am going to see so I am there at 1 but I don't trust them to wrap it up at 3 like they say. Thanks anyway guys.

pompeyrich

skyranger wrote:

It's Ticket Type: SAVER RETURN

Its just the worse case sceniero I suppose. Lets say it won't be my fault I will be late but not impressed with the company I am going to see so I am there at 1 but I don't trust them to wrap it up at 3 like they say. Thanks anyway guys.

If it is a SAVER return, you have nothing to worry about as said earlier this type of ticket is valid for any return journey up to a month after the outward leg. The only thing you have booked on the 18:05 is a reserved seat. So you may not get a seat on the way home if the train you catch is busy.

So relax, have a good interview and maybe treat yourself to a relaxing drink after the interview,then catch the train home when you feel like it. Oh yes Good Luck with the interview.

Altarf

An alternative to buying a Saver ticket when you know that you are travelling on a certain day but the time you need to travel might change (as in the OP's case), is to buy multiple Value Advance tickets for different time trains.

For example a single Saver Manchester to London is £56.10, but Value Advance tickets are available for £12.50.

You obviously lose the money you have spent on any Value Advance tickets you don't use, but it still works out cheaper and gives you flexibility.