'Red Spotted Hanky' introducing new fee's on bookings.

tripled

Some of the train companies are doing double Nectar points (4 points per pound) worth around 2%, plus are on Quidco/Topcashback, worth another 1 to 2% (sometimes more depending on your journey), all with no booking fee. I'd already moved my business from RSH to First since RSH withdrew from the cashback sites, and I can't see any reason at all to use them now unless using up clubcard boost vouchers!

SachsGoldman

I just have a major issue with anyone who says they are committed top being totally honest and transparent with their customers and sends them an emails saying there's a new charge with immediate effect. I'd have thought transparent and honest meant giving a month's notice.

yangptangkipperbang

wealdroam wrote: »

I will continue to use Southern, particularly for their money back guarantee.

You can usually get refunds on the types of tickets covered by this guarantee anyway.
I note the the "guarantee" doesn't apply to Advance tickets.

I think that this: "You’ll be entitled to a full refund providing you don’t pick up your tickets" is actually a reduction in your rights. National Rail just say that the only requirement is that you return the ticket before travel - they certainly don't say that you must have NOT picked up the tickets.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/46594.aspx

I use the FGW site unless the TOC I will be travelling on has a special offer on............

tripled

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

You can usually get refunds on the types of tickets covered by this guarantee anyway.
I note the the "guarantee" doesn't apply to Advance tickets.

I think that this: "You’ll be entitled to a full refund providing you don’t pick up your tickets" is actually a reduction in your rights. National Rail just say that the only requirement is that you return the ticket before travel - they certainly don't say that you must have NOT picked up the tickets.

Advance tickets are usually non-refundable, however if you buy Southern only tickets, under the guarantee they are refundable. Also there is usually a £10 admin fee to amend/cancel any other type of tickets, whereas under the guarantee that's waived.

There is nothing saying you can't return the ticket before travel (although you'd probably have to pay the fee) so there is no reduction in your rights, it's an enhancement.

aleph_0

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

I think that this: "You’ll be entitled to a full refund providing you don’t pick up your tickets" is actually a reduction in your rights. National Rail just say that the only requirement is that you return the ticket before travel - they certainly don't say that you must have NOT picked up the tickets.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/46594.aspx

I use the FGW site unless the TOC I will be travelling on has a special offer on............

But if you follow the link to the refunds page:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/72098.aspx
National Rail say "If you decide not to travel for another reason, you can usually get a refund less the cost of an admin fee (maximum £10). Some tickets, such as Advance fares, are not refundable.
"

Southern don't charge an admin fee under their guarantee - their offering is an improvement on the general rules.

haynick

Bye Bye RSH then!!

yangptangkipperbang

aleph_0 wrote: »

Southern don't charge an admin fee under their guarantee - their offering is an improvement on the general rules.

At a first superficial look, that might appear to be so.

However,anyone who turns up at a station with the intention of picking up their tickets at the last possible moment (to comply with Southern's "rules") before getting on the train is asking for trouble.

There are lots of posts on this site from people who could not collect their tickets when their train rolls in - and then complain when they are hit with a penalty fare/full fare ticket charge for not having a valid ticket.

If you wish to run this risk, feel free - I prefer to take the National Rail option. A £10 "admin" charge (which they will waive if you smile sweetly enough at them ) is a better bet than a large payout on the train.

CockneyBrum

Let's hope ATOS (who run RSH) spend the money on fixing the bug where you can't buy multiple journeys in your basket. I told them about this over a year ago and it's still not fixed and also affects other train operators that use their technology (London Midland). So, the £1 fee will rack up for me as I'm forced to buy each journey individually.

The superb Takethetrain.Co.Uk will now get all of my business when there's no sale on with the individual operators.

wealdroam

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

At a first superficial look, that might appear to be so.

However,anyone who turns up at a station with the intention of picking up their tickets at the last possible moment (to comply with Southern's "rules") before getting on the train is asking for trouble.

There are lots of posts on this site from people who could not collect their tickets when their train rolls in - and then complain when they are hit with a penalty fare/full fare ticket charge for not having a valid ticket.

If you wish to run this risk, feel free - I prefer to take the National Rail option. A £10 "admin" charge (which they will waive if you smile sweetly enough at them ) is a better bet than a large payout on the train.

Yes, I'll take that risk.

In particular, when booking Southern's Advance Singles way before travel (to get the best price), if I decide not to travel a day or so before travel (when I would normally collect the TOD tickets), I can get a full refund.

Yang, have you ever managed to smile sweetly enough to get an Advance Single refunded in full?

photome

mbanbrook wrote: »

Let's hope ATOS (who run RSH) spend the money on fixing the bug where you can't buy multiple journeys in your basket. I told them about this over a year ago and it's still not fixed and also affects other train operators that use their technology (London Midland). So, the £1 fee will rack up for me as I'm forced to buy each journey individually.

The superb Takethetrain.Co.Uk will now get all of my business when there's no sale on with the individual operators.

I have been using RSH for a year or so and always buy multiple journeys in my basket.

wont be using them again though