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Brits in Eurostar 'rip off'
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Eurostar is being accused of ripping-off British travellers by charging more for tickets in the UK than it does overseas.
The cheapest return bought by telephone or online in Britain is £59. In France it is 77 euros which is £52.60 - which equates to a 10 per cent discount.
American, Japanese or Australian visitors are entitled to a cheaper, no-refund ticket which costs as little as £45.80.
And British travellers are penalised even more heavily if they want to book a single ticket - the cheapest single fare is £154 which is three times the price paid by US or Australian visitors.
However, British travellers can take advantage of the lower fares by selecting a different country of origin when booking tickets for the first time on the company's website.
But Eurostar admits 97 per cent of all passengers who book in the UK want return fares.
The company defended its pricing structure and said it knows there is a difference at today's exchange rates but they are broadly comparable.
But Ian McDonald, of the Railfuture pressure group, said: "We certainly think it is unfair. If Eurostar was a service rather than a commercial enterprise they would not be allowed to do this."
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20070503/tuk-brits-in-eurostar-rip-off-dba1618.html
The cheapest return bought by telephone or online in Britain is £59. In France it is 77 euros which is £52.60 - which equates to a 10 per cent discount.
American, Japanese or Australian visitors are entitled to a cheaper, no-refund ticket which costs as little as £45.80.
And British travellers are penalised even more heavily if they want to book a single ticket - the cheapest single fare is £154 which is three times the price paid by US or Australian visitors.
However, British travellers can take advantage of the lower fares by selecting a different country of origin when booking tickets for the first time on the company's website.
But Eurostar admits 97 per cent of all passengers who book in the UK want return fares.
The company defended its pricing structure and said it knows there is a difference at today's exchange rates but they are broadly comparable.
But Ian McDonald, of the Railfuture pressure group, said: "We certainly think it is unfair. If Eurostar was a service rather than a commercial enterprise they would not be allowed to do this."
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20070503/tuk-brits-in-eurostar-rip-off-dba1618.html
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Comments
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Exactly what is new about this - it's been known for several years
There's nothing stopping you pretending to be American / Ozzie or whatever and booking.
Also non-Europeans can book up to 9 months in advance whereas Europeans can only book 5 months in advance.
However cheap tickets become available at the 5 month mark for the Europeans so if you can't get a cheap fare as a American / etc you cam try being French or Belgian or some other nationality0 -
Eurostar is being accused of ripping-off British travellers by charging more for tickets in the UK than it does overseas.
The cheapest return bought by telephone or online in Britain is £59..........
..........And British travellers are penalised even more heavily if they want to book a single ticket - the cheapest single fare is £154 which is three times the price paid by US or Australian visitors.
Who, apart from a mad person, would ever buy a single?0 -
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alanrowell wrote: »Businessmen - singles have no restrictions on them so you can change trains or even get a refund if you don't use it
Works just the same way as for airlines
Ahh I see, like the air lines where the businessmen who fly club or business class pay £1000 which is used to subsidise me back in cattle class who paid £2.50 (plus taxes of course)
Still think it’s mad0 -
Who, apart from a mad person, would ever buy a single?
I think Eurostar are making a very valid comment on the state of modern Britain. Leaving for good is indeed far more valuable than just taking a short break.
Anyway, what's the punishment for buying a return ticket and not coming back?0 -
Voyager2002 wrote: »I think Eurostar are making a very valid comment on the state of modern Britain. Leaving for good is indeed far more valuable than just taking a short break.
Anyway, what's the punishment for buying a return ticket and not coming back?
You have to stay in Paris forever0 -
People under 26 should be aware that they can book Youth fares - typically you can get a return to Brussels for £49, as I did for my trip at the end of this month.0
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zappomatic wrote: »People under 26 should be aware that they can book Youth fares - typically you can get a return to Brussels for £49, as I did for my trip at the end of this month.
Doesn’t age discrimination apply in transport?0 -
Doesn’t age discrimination apply in transport?
I hope not. I'm enjoying my free over 60 bus pass!0
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