TRAINPAL APP

FlyingDonkeys

It appears to be impossible to change tickets in the app easily. There is no drop-down menu or simple way to select a new date.

This is when apps become too big to care, and digital services become progressively less user-friendly over time. .

See Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What To Do About It Kindle Edition by  Cory Doctorow https://amzn.eu/d/0f7hsSEi  

Emmia

I'm sorry to say this but I think I'd chalk the loss from these tickets up to experience and NEVER use Trainpal ever again. Use an app from a Train Operating Company (like GWR) to book tickets and if you want a Railcard use the official Railcard app.

It's entirely possible the tickets aren't refundable/changeable anyway.

Trainpal is "cheap" for a reason as you've discovered.

flaneurs_lobster

What @Emmia said, Trainpal takes its lead from its owner, Trip.com - big, cheap & not very good.

Had cause to interact with both - once each. Never again. Flash design, big on special offers and giveaways, really poor at the detail or any pretense of customer service.

Avoid.

soolin

it was the same with Trainline ,I used to use them thinking they were cheaper and actually they rarely were, plus they charged a booking fee. The lightbulb moment came when I tried to make a date change, I’d actually booked for a sunday return when it should have been Saturday , and had to rebuy a whole new ticket. I spoke to their help line as it was within minutes of buying and they admitted that the train company would have allowed the change for a small admin fee, but Trainline did not .

I only now use the direct train site, no booking fees and prices often cheaper. Also on the actual train company app delay repay is automatic.

daveyjp

Setting up a website to sell things is simple, employing knowledgable staff to understand the technicalitiea of the UK rail ticketing system not so. Just avoid third party sites based overseas. If you want to benefit split tickets try trainsplit.

UK based run by people who know about BR fares and excellent customer service.

FlyingDonkeys

Thanks all good to know I'm not alone here.. take care all.