Trainline Refunds

UsernameGoesHere

Hello,

I had booked a off-peak return that was valid for 4 weeks. I used the outward journey a couple of days before the lockdown but I was not able to use the return journey due to the lockdown and restrictions that were placed on travel. I spoke to Trainline but they refused to refund the unused part of the ticket or to offer a voucher. Do I have any rights regarding this or do I have to accept that I’ll need to buy another ticket when I am able to travel?

Thanks in advance, 
Jamie 

bagand96

From the National Rail Conditions of Travel:

29. REFUNDS ON TICKETS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN USED
29.1. If you purchase a Ticket and then choose not to travel, you may apply for a refund from the original retailer or Train Company from whom it was purchased, unless the terms and conditions of your Ticket (advance Tickets for instance) indicate that it is non-refundable. You must do this no more than 28 days after the expiry of the Ticket.

29.2. In such cases, a deduction from your refund will be made in the case of part-used Tickets, calculated on the cost of the journey(s) actually made. An administration charge may also be made, which will not exceed £10 per Ticket; however, if the administrative charge and/or other deductions exceed the refund amount no refund will be payable.

29.3. Your refund application will be processed as soon as reasonably practicable and the refund paid within one month of receipt of your application.

29.4. The way in which your refund will be paid will depend on how your Ticket was originally paid for, as shown in the table below:

Off-peak tickets are refundable, so you should be entitled to a refund on the unused portion less a £10 admin fee.

It depends how they calculate the cost of the journey made though.  They may not just refund 50%, because you have travelled one leg.  They might re-price that leg at the price of an Off-peak Single and then refund you the difference.  Many off-peak returns cost just a little more than the equivalent single.  I'm not familiar with the ins and outs of rail ticket pricing though.

[Deleted User]

This might be useful (if it works)
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/apr/28/rail-season-ticket-holders-coronavirus-refund
Although mainly talking about season tickets, it does go on to other tickets.