5p Virgin Trains "Complimentary First" tickets?

dh50uk

I bought 2 first class returns from Preston to Glasgow for my 20p, travelling at the end of next week.

If it was the other way about and I was charged over the odds because the advance tickets weren't showing on the site I doubt they would ring me up later and offer me the cheaper option!

:j

torcross1

I also booked a few tickets at this price and am also a traveller member, these tickets are nothing like traveller tickets for a number of reasons
1) Traveller can only be used at weekends these complimentary tickets could be booked for midweek travel

2) When you book traveller tickets online you always have to quote your traveller number first there is no other way to book these tickets online without this number

3) Traveller tickets always specify on the ticket that it is a traveller ticket these complimentary tickets just say that they are 'complimentary' with no reference to traveller.

4) The terms and conditions on the complimentary tickets are different to the traveller ticket, mainly that the t&c's on the traveller state it part of the Virgin loyalty scheme and you need your traveller card to validate the ticket, there is no mention of this on the complimentary ticket just that you can only use it on the designated train you booked for, how could a train manager say it is a traveller ticket with no mention of this on the ticket and it is midweek, you cant even book a traveller ticket for midweek the system will not let you

hope this helps

by the way you may ask why I bought the tickets if Im a Traveller member well I got the 5p first class tickets for midweek travel,

dzug1

Well maybe they are NOT a mistake then but a genuine but brief offer designed to attract custom for the website.

kung-fu-alien

I bought a total of 16, (8 returns) 5 pence tickets this morning from the Virgin website.

No where in any of the emails they sent to confirm the purchase did they stipulate that the tickets were issued with conditions applied.

I went to Stoke-on-Trent station and the machine dispatched the tickets machine without a problem. This is after Virgin realised their error and withdrew the offer.

As far as I can see, my card has been debited, and considering I purchsed multiple journeys (well face it, when am I ever going to get 1st class tickets for 5p again in my life), Virgin had ample time to realise the error and withdraw it.

I do however find it very strange that the tickets were only available for 1 hour.

As far as I am aware, as the tickets were not issued with conditions, Virgin have to honour them for travel.

Personally, I believe this was either the mother of all !!!!-up's, or an extremely clever PR stunt.

My money is on PR stunt.

argosy2

Got myself one of these tickets and decided that I would rather know know if I can use it rather than at the station or on the train so I have e-mailed Virgin asking if my ticket is ok and I will let you know what they reply. Kind of inclined to think that it is a computer problem as it could hardly be a publicity stunt without any publicity but maybe they will just honour those tickets they have sold.

B92_Bluenose

I bought 4 returns to London for myself, wife & kids to use during the summer holidays. Tickets were collected yesterday. I have a friend using his set of 4 tomorrow, I'll let you know how they got on on Monday, and another using his next Thursday. I have been advised, if challenged, to offer my name and address for Virgin to write to me upon my return.

argosy2

Just got my reply from Virgin which is as follows
""Dear Peter,
Thank you for contacting Virgin Trains.
Yes, it is correct that Virgin Trains have released this ticket for the travel. They are valid for the travel.
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Kind regards,
Andrew""

I will print out both my question and the reply just in case I have problems on the train.

Funny enough I have been wondering about using first class advance tickets on some of my longer journeys in future.......next one is Glasgow to Exeter via Edinburgh and Newcastle and taking almost 9 hours.

torcross1

I find it hard to believe they will not accept them on the train. If there was a problem I'm sure they would e mail you as you had to open a Virgin account to purchase them. What basis could they refuse the ticket on the train you are on the designated one you booked.

I have also had a complimentary ticket in the past after a previous poor service with them so it would be hard for a train manager to say you cant use this ticket.

Also how can they stop you travelling you have done nothing wrong you purchased them off the Virgin website, I have read through the T&C'S and you dont need any additional I.D. The only stipulation was that you use the train booked and no other;

bit I do think it was a glitch on the system rather than a marketing ploy

phileeds

Fear not fellow forumites,

I've joined to put your minds at ease - the tickets worked for me.

In fact, I'm typing this using the Free WiFi on the 1748 from Liverpool to London on my 2nd complimentary glass of wine.

The chicken wasn't all that, however. I'm tempted to complain

luvthavodka

First Class Birmingham International to Euston for 10p return for me today. All went well, no raised eyebrows from the ticket inspector or anything. Shame I get to claim the fair as expenses and I can never find an offer like this when its at my own expense!!!