Any decent alternative to 'The Trainline' cowboys?

merlinthehappypig

In the end I went to my 'local' station (25 miles each way.........), collected the tickets and posted them by Special Delivery to my son. I really appreciate all the replies and tips and will certainly try the Fastticket machine with a different card next time, without the time pressure, but still won't ever use the Trainline again. I accept that mistakes happen, but can't accept Customer Services that aren't worthy of the name.

MKB

I don't use the Trainline's site, but I know from regular experience that both Virgin's old and new websites are very flaky. The newsite in particular is riddled with errors that haven't been fixed since it was launched, including displaying incorrect prices or failing to display available tickets.

Given they use the same booking engine as the Trainline, I have no problem believing the OP's account.

alchemista

I had a similar problem with them... I was supposed to receive my tickets before my train trip to the airport, they never arrived. Rather than re-sending them, they told me to wait another day. They still never arrived. So I had to get on the trains to my airport, luckily I was able to convince the conductors with my printout and receipt. One station held me up waiting for them to fax my tickets, I literally jumped on the train as the doors closed, they even caught me as they closed and had to push back open.

I never use trainline anymore. Their customer service is horrible too. If you book with the train company that services the biggest part of your trip, then at least you can deal directly with their local offices when you're at the station.

When you book with trainline, you have only phone support.

Wings_of_Ambition

Having found the link on another thread, I've just booked some tickets with http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/ They had exactly the same tickets/fares I wanted, the insurance was opt-in, as opposed to thetrainline's crafty opt-out, there was NO charge for first class postage, nor was there a charge for collection at a station. There was also NO charge for using a credit card!

I'm very impressed with them.

Infidel

Okay, so it's not a train but usually MUCH cheaper; Have you tried [strike]Talebanbus[/strike] Megabus?

http://www.megabus.com/

jonesMUFCforever

I used to use the Trainline but no more now that they charge extra for credit card payments.
I am lucky that I pass a mainline station every day to work so I get prices and times off the website and pay at the station for my tickets at no extra charge.

Victors_Bruvver

ejones999 wrote: »

I used to use the Trainline but no more now that they charge extra for credit card payments.
I am lucky that I pass a mainline station every day to work so I get prices and times off the website and pay at the station for my tickets at no extra charge.

I am also looking for an alternative to Trainline for the same reason; charging me for using a credit card. As an example, I have just bought Eurostar tickets and a hotel booking both of which were paid for on my cc but with no extra charges. I used to live near a GNER station and it was a doddle to book on line and have the facility to have them posted at no charge and their brilliant Fast Ticket? machines they installed in the stations. Pity that Southeastern don't do that. I know that they have the standalone ticket machines but it is a pain having to go through all the options especially when you have a travel card when by just inserting your card it prints out you pre booked tickets.

dzug

Most of the TOCs (Chiltern, Scotrail, First Great Western, National Express East Coast for starters) will post your ticket to you, first class mail, with no extra charges of any sort. It doesn't have to be for their own trains - they all sell each others'.

Victors_Bruvver

Thanks dzug. All links to TrainLine in my favourites folder have now been removed and deleted. Took your advice and went to National Express East Coast and the difference between the two websites is 'chalk & cheese'. It is a properly working website; I have never seen a website that functions with so little effort and is user friendly at the same time.
Just like the company that owns it, TrainLine, and their website sucks!!

trisontana

I agree about the NXEC website. Very easy to use, with all the prices on one page, and no hidden charges.. I have just booked some Newark - Leeds return tickets, and noticed that for just £5 each we can upgrade to 1st class. So a bit of luxury on the cheap.