Train strikes and theatre tickets - London Theatre Direct fees

RaFires

Hi! 

I can't be the only one in this situation... I have tickets to the theatre this weekend which were booked through London Theatre Direct. There are NO trains running on my line on Saturday so I quite simply cannot get to the theatre as I am outside London. I need to exchange the tickets and have been told I will have to pay a 10% admin fee, which is over £20. When the reason for not being able to go is completely out of my control, how is it reasonable to be charged. Has anyone else had to deal with this and London Theatre Direct please? Am I able to claim anything from the train company??

Thanks for your help and advice in advance.

elsien

There is normally the option to take out booking protection insurance for not being able to attend, although I’m not sure how comprehensive it is. I’m guessing you didn’t do that?
To be fair it’s not the theatre’s fault that you can’t attend either. 
Can you travel by bus or coach instead?
Given that their bookings are normally non-refundable, paying the admin fee to swap them to another day seems the least worst option.

RaFires

elsien said:

There is normally the option to take out booking protection insurance for not being able to attend, although I’m not sure how comprehensive it is. I’m guessing you didn’t do that?
To be fair it’s not the theatre’s fault that you can’t attend either. 
Can you travel by bus or coach instead?
Given that their bookings are normally non-refundable, paying the admin fee to swap them to another day seems the least worst option.

Unfortunately, my partner didn't take out the insurance. Completely agree with you that it isn't the theatre's fault either. We are too far out of London for buses to be an option, but I hadn't thought of a coach. Thanks I will look into that. I also agree that paying the fee is probably the best option as coach will likely be more expensive than the fees. It is just incredibly frustrating and what happens if there is another strike on the day we move it too!!

elsien

Unions have to give 14 days notice of strike action. So if you're able to swap your tickets for the next couple of weekends you should be ok as the national dates at the moment are just 5th and 8th.  You might want to check with the operator for any local disruption if relevant. 
There's a section in here about consequential losses which seems to be toss a coin as to how successful it might be. 
Rail strikes: Your travel and refund rights | (thecomplainingcow.co.uk)

RaFires

Thank you so much. Really useful

DullGreyGuy

RaFires said:

I can't be the only one in this situation... I have tickets to the theatre this weekend which were booked through London Theatre Direct. There are NO trains running on my line on Saturday so I quite simply cannot get to the theatre as I am outside London. I need to exchange the tickets and have been told I will have to pay a 10% admin fee, which is over £20. When the reason for not being able to go is completely out of my control, how is it reasonable to be charged. Has anyone else had to deal with this and London Theatre Direct please? Am I able to claim anything from the train company??

Thanks for your help and advice in advance.

How do you think its in the control of Theatre Direct? Why should they have to work for free because of RMT?

Unfortunately you agreed to T&Cs and declined the offer of protecting yourself from the risk with insurance. On the plus side a £20 admin fee to move the tickets is much better than the alternative that many face which is simply losing the tickets. 

Depending on where you are based there may be other options of how to get into/out of London than the train

SalcoSue

I am in a similar situation however I did take out the Refund Protection cover. The insurance company Secure My Booking/Ticket Refunds has rejected my claim even through Strikes is listed as being covered. Very frustrating!

Undervalued

SalcoSue said:

I am in a similar situation however I did take out the Refund Protection cover. The insurance company Secure My Booking/Ticket Refunds has rejected my claim even through Strikes is listed as being covered. Very frustrating!

On what grounds?

sheramber

It may be because the strikes are advertised in advance giving the ticket holder time to make alternative travel arrangements.

Have you asked the company to explain why your claim has been refused when they state they cover for strikes.