Train Tickets - Please Advise

Lisa93

Hi, I have advanced single return train tickets bought to go to London in September which was to see a show which has now been postponed until April 2021. I have contacted the company (Trainline) and advised of this and because of covid 19 the performance has been postponed and informed I would show proof of my tickets. They have informed that because they are advance singles I can’t not have a refund nor a gift voucher to use to book next April. I asked if I could transfer the tickets until next April but I knew that they wouldn't do that as trains are normally only released 12 weeks prior. Is there anything more I can do? All I want is to exchange my tickets to next April and they are not willing to do under the circumstances & I really can’t go without over £116 right now or having to pay that again next year. Please advise. Thanks 

bradders1983

The train company wont care one bit if your theatre tickets are cancelled, or vice versa.  This is not want you want to hear but it is the truth of the matter.

[Deleted User]

Hi Lisa,   Agree with previous you won't get a refund unless your train in September is cancelled.   Have they only just cancelled the show or something?   You must have bought the train tickets very recently.    Sadly you are stuck, unless you fancy a show free break in London in September?   

Anamox

The terms of an advance ticket is generally that they are cheap because they are non-refundable, the only time they will refund you is if the ticket is unused and your train was delayed or cancelled forcing you to change your plans. Sadly when you picked this ticket type you picked inflexibility. As you say, they cannot give you tickets that haven't been released yet; they would likely allow you to move the ticket to a new date for £10 to a new date that is currently for sale (or you can do this in September before you travel so you can pick dates around December). Is there not a new show you can see instead as it may be easier to get a refund for your show than get a refund for the rail ticket? If you're going to be out of pocket regardless you may as well make a trip of it!

You could also try contacting your actual train company (Trainline are an agent) such as South Western or London Northwestern etc. to ask them for the change you desire. They're often very responsive to these kind of queries on Twitter and individual companies can sell their own services far ahead of when Trainline/National Rail can... they may also be able to offer you a travel voucher themselves as you are planning on definitely travelling with them and they won't lose out.

bradders1983

Hmm 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔