Two together rail cards when one is suddenly unable to travel

sadoldthing

My wife and I have a 2together railcard.

So, two tickets for a journey 33% off the price of two people’s individual journeys.

On the morning of the journey one of the pair is ill (old people do that)

The second person attempts to make the journey, thinking “I have paid 33% more with these two tickets than if I had travelled alone and bought the ticket for one so I am not cheating anyone.”

Conductor says, on seeing the two tickets and the card, no, you must buy another ticket.

Apart from t&cs, tell me why that is so as no money saving is being done?

The facts of money wasted for the travel and non-refundable hotel costs may not matter to others but I cannot see the logic of it.

[Deleted User]

 No logic it's in the terms and conditions you agreed to 

Hasbeen

sadoldthing said:

My wife and I have a 2together railcard.

So, two tickets for a journey 33% off the price of two people’s individual journeys.

On the morning of the journey one of the pair is ill (old people do that)

The second person attempts to make the journey, thinking “I have paid 33% more with these two tickets than if I had travelled alone and bought the ticket for one so I am not cheating anyone.”

Conductor says, on seeing the two tickets and the card, no, you must buy another ticket.

Apart from t&cs, tell me why that is so as no money saving is being done?

The facts of money wasted for the travel and non-refundable hotel costs may not matter to others but I cannot see the logic of it.

You purchased 2 tickets at a discounted rate of 33%  You then tried to use one against the terms and conditions.
https://www.twotogether-railcard.co.uk/help/terms-conditions/
4.4. Discounted tickets must be bought for both cardholders at the same time, and you must travel together.
Up until that point you were money saving. 

jbuchanangb

The correct action is to obtain a refund for the two tickets which cannot now be used, paying a £10 fee in all probability, and purchase a new ticket for the solo traveller. The new ticket can of course use an alternative railcard, such as a senior railcard if held.

MKB

It makes absolutely no sense that they wouldn't allow one person to travel on the two tickets.  I've never understood why they didn't write the t&cs to allow it.

lammy82

You can't use two "discounted on the condition you travel together" tickets for one person's individual travel for the same reason you  can't buy a ticket for £50 with £100 value of gold bullion or foreign currency. It would be more profitable for them to accept it, but the wider consequences of allowing such a level of discretion amongst staff would lead to other problems that would counter it.

lisyloo

It’s illogical I agree, but the terms are that you cannot use that ticket to travel alone.
i agree it’s crazy as you have paid for more than one person.

yorkie2

If a passenger travelled with the Railcard and both tickets and explained the situation they should be allowed travel.

If they are denied travel or required to pay an excess fare, this would be an example of a charge being made due to an unfair term ( see https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284426/oft311.pdf and http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1277/contents/made )

The rail industry has extremely poor form when it comes to complying with contract and consumer laws.

If anyone is incorrectly charged this should be documented and a complaint made to relevant bodies.

Chino

yorkie2 said:

If they are denied travel or required to pay an excess fare, this would be an example of a charge being made due to an unfair term ( see https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284426/oft311.pdf and http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1277/contents/made )

So, under the legislation you reference, what specifically about the contract requirement for the two ticket holders to be travelling together for the tickets to be valid is unfair? This requirement is made perfectly clear:

The two named adults must travel together throughout the whole journey.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/pr83ccf28cfc400abe711a40cc6dd9d4.aspx

sadoldthing

jbuchanangb said:

The correct action is to obtain a refund for the two tickets which cannot now be used, paying a £10 fee in all probability, and purchase a new ticket for the solo traveller. The new ticket can of course use an alternative railcard, such as a senior railcard if held.

The tickets were advance, so no refund except when rebooking. So when I tried that on the 7th (day of travel) The journey out was greyed out. The return journey tickets were each £19 and would lose £10 each fee and I would have to rebook two 2together rail tickets for another day (sort out that timing quickly) and I would have had to buy the ticket out at a much higher price.

Kiko4564

I would argue that an authorised person has every right to use their discretion and allow the solo traveller to travel. Therefore if a guard is onboard (which isn't always obvious) the train, then approaching them before travel might be a good idea. Failing that you could always ask the ticket office if they are willing to issue you with a Permit to Travel, or for that matter endorse one of the tickets to be usable without needing another person with you.