Rail Card Problem

KMK

My husband and I , both pensioners, travelled from Darlington-Glasgow on Cross Country last week.We had treated ourselves to return 1st class tickets bought cheaply in advance with rail cards.And yes, you have guessed, we had forgotten our cards.The ticket collector made us pay £152 extra on the fare to Glasgow and then a further £40 when we returned.So the "cheap" treat ended up costing us over £200.(By the way 1st class in Cross Country is not a patch on East Coast.The food on offer is very poor!)

I have contacted Cross Country who have told us that "as a gesture", they will send us vouchers.I explained that as pensioners high value vouchers will not be very useful and could we have the cash instead? They have refused.

I know we should have had our cards but on the journey there were no toilets open in 1st class and when I complained was told "these things happen".So when they are at fault, we have to accept it yet when I make a genuine mistake, we are immediately penalized.

Can I insist on cash or do I have to take the vouchers?

dzug1

Given that it is a gesture I don't think you can insist on cash, given your actual entitlement is nil


You might negotiate smaller denomination vouchers.

Quentin

You could have reduced the fares payable by sitting in the standard sections.


Maybe friends/family can use them, and gumtree do advertise them, (though the ts + cs may say not for resale)

wealdroam

KMK wrote: »

I know we should have had our cards but on the journey there were no toilets open in 1st class and when I complained was told "these things happen".So when they are at fault, we have to accept it yet when I make a genuine mistake, we are immediately penalized.

The difference is that you broke the rules that you had agreed to.

They however did not promise for toilets to be available.

KMK

Thanks for the replies.

Yes Quentin, on the return journey we did not travel in 1st and we went into a ticket office before the journey, too, which made it cheaper, hence the lower price.

It is so galling that they can get away with poor service (delays, cancellations,sub standard facilities) and yet they are utterly ruthless when passengers make genuine mistakes.

The Scottish lady in the Glasgow ticket office was lovely and also told me that Cross Country are the most severe with lost/forgotten cards. No discretion is ever used.So be warned and check before you leave!

yorkie2

Cross Country are not obliged to give you cash back, so I'd accept the vouchers. I am sure someone will buy them from you if you cannot use them.

Their 1st class service is abysmal compared to East Coast, and most of their trains are rattling units which are desperately in need of refurbishment. It is not a treat to use XC. It would be a treat to travel 1st class on Virgin Trains East Coast though, especially on a weekday if you can get a breakfast or meal train.