5p Virgin Trains "Complimentary First" tickets?

Nyclon

Did anyone else see the 5p "Complimentary First" tickets on the Virgin Trains website this morning? It just came up as another type of fare above all the others for varous journeys on their network (London-Stoke on Trent, Chester - London, etc).

I assume this was part of some promotion they did not load correctly? Do you think I will be able to travel on the ticket I bought before they fixed what I assume is the error?

Thank you much!

dzug1

Legally no - they can ask you to pay the correct fare if a ticket has been wrongly issued.

In reality they may prefer the good PR by letting it pass.

Or you may never get the ticket if they have spotted it in time to cancel it.

It's always possible it was a valid offer, incompletely loaded, and that you have to buy some other ticket as well to qualify for it.

robt_2

The 5p (actually, they are free, the 5p is a nominal charge for their system) first class tickets are for members of the Traveller Club, and members of their Passenger Panel. Both of which need additional ID for the ticket to be valid for travel.

They can usually only be obtained by phone, they much have crept into the website by mistake and then quickly removed.

I doubt you will receive them.

Chad_as_yer_dad

robt wrote: »

The 5p (actually, they are free, the 5p is a nominal charge for their system) first class tickets are for members of the Traveller Club, and members of their Passenger Panel. Both of which need additional ID for the ticket to be valid for travel.

They can usually only be obtained by phone, they much have crept into the website by mistake and then quickly removed.

I doubt you will receive them.

I bought one of these this morning, went to pick it up at the station an hour later.
Tickets all printed, there is nothing on there about travellers club or passenger panel.
All it states is that the ticket is only valid with ticket xxxxxx which was issued as well.
10p first class return to london? yes please, save me claiming £153 back on expenses.
Your doubts are wrong.

robt_2

Chad_as_yer_dad wrote: »

I bought one of these this morning, went to pick it up at the station an hour later.
Tickets all printed, there is nothing on there about travellers club or passenger panel.
All it states is that the ticket is only valid with ticket xxxxxx which was issued as well.
10p first class return to london? yes please, save me claiming £153 back on expenses.
Your doubts are wrong.

If being picked up from a machine then yes they will probably issued if not cancelled before they are dispensed, I was talking about them being posted out.

Just because there is nothing on them about Traveller Club or Passenger Panel doesn't make them valid - they don't usually have that on them anyway.

You can buy a ticket online with a railcard but it doesn't mean the ticket is valid without carrying the railcard with you.

However, I would expect it to be honoured, but to save any hassle I would take a printout of your invoice/email confirmation to show the Train Manager when they ask you for additional ID.

Chad_as_yer_dad

robt wrote: »

If being picked up from a machine then yes they will probably issued if not cancelled before they are dispensed, I was talking about them being posted out.

Just because there is nothing on them about Traveller Club or Passenger Panel doesn't make them valid - they don't usually have that on them anyway.

You can buy a ticket online with a railcard but it doesn't mean the ticket is valid without carrying the railcard with you.

However, I would expect it to be honoured, but to save any hassle I would take a printout of your invoice/email confirmation to show the Train Manager when they ask you for additional ID.

Will do thanks for the advice. It's got a seat number on too.
I'm hoping it will work I'll let you all know.

dzug1

You will need to show your Traveller Club Membership card when you travel

Remember, only the person named on the Membership Card can use it and must be present throughout the journey.
You may be asked for a second form of photo ID by a Virgin Trains staff member. So come prepared (better safe than sorry).
If you don't have your Membership Card or ID when travelling, you'll be asked to pay the full fare for the journey. So always keep your card close to you. It's precious.

So I doubt if you will 'get away with it'. The fare will give it away.

Chad_as_yer_dad

dzug1 wrote: »

You will need to show your Traveller Club Membership card when you travel

Remember, only the person named on the Membership Card can use it and must be present throughout the journey.
You may be asked for a second form of photo ID by a Virgin Trains staff member. So come prepared (better safe than sorry).
If you don't have your Membership Card or ID when travelling, you'll be asked to pay the full fare for the journey. So always keep your card close to you. It's precious.

So I doubt if you will 'get away with it'. The fare will give it away.

thanks for quoting the terms and conditions but no where on the website did it say it was a traveller club promotion. Nor does it on the ticket.

atomicspaceship

My parents saw the same fare flash up for them a few months ago and booked tickets for a day trip to London - grand total 20p!

It worked for them and they weren't asked for any ID or pass of any kind.

gaz_jones

10p for a return trip to London first class? Bargain! True money saving there! Great timing to be lucky enough to get that deal!

richyrichuk

yeah same here, 5p each way! im going picking these up soon from the station, there own fault for the mistake on sale. i will have a valid ticket for travelling surely that is their responsibility to ensure correct charges, and it's been going on till about 9.30am. surely with these tickets been correctly paid for and acquired. you will not be asked to pay the full price on the train