MoneySavingExpert.com Cheap Train Tickets Article Discussion

ticketcollector wrote: »

Only reason that martin links to them is that he gets commission on them. He doesnt get such a commission on the other 'no booking fee' companies.

The above is a nasty slur and incorrect.

The reason they're linked to is that in many ways they provide an easier alternate route for researching tickets. The article very specifically and deliberately says that the cheapest way to book is via going direct through local ticket agencies and recommends people do that... I quote from the guide...

"Don’t pay unnecessary booking fees

Booking direct at a station or via the rail company’s own website is usually cheapest as there’s no booking fee; plus you may also find some extra online discounts.

If you're using the booking sites, the Trainline charges a flat £2.50 fee on credit card payments; though it does also add £1 travel insurance by default, so do un-check the box if you don't want it. Raileasy, on the other hand, charges a £1 booking fee on every purchase, plus a 50p debit card fee and 2.5% for credit cards.
Overall this means of the two, the Trainline is cheapest for debit card bookings or credit card payments over £60, whereas Raileasy wins for credit card bookings under £60."


Why are they in ?

The revenue gleaned from those affiliate links is frankly negligible - and even if it wasn't, as on all things on the site I don't recommend things for revenue reasons. Many people use those sites - and like them - they are thus included. More importantly by including them I get to EXPLAIN the costs of them and that you are paying more.

More importantly we are in the midst of pushing and trying to work with some of the booking companies to try and get a split ticket generator - this is impossible by ourselves and is something i think will generally help everyone. By keeping the ticket agencies in the article is useful for maintaining influence and weight to push that project along.

Within the 'main tricks' section - they're only mentioned (which is rare) when they provide an easier way to find the discounted tickets...

What about the 'First Great Western same as trainline'

Thanks for thsi... we're looking at it the idea that it provides the same service as the train line but no fee' agencies - the problem being that when we try it some of the cheaper ticket routes seem to not be included when they are on the trainline.

I've got questions in with FGW but sadly a derailment this week means the press office is slow to coming back to us and I await finding out exactly how it works, before adding it into the article.

As a general note, when we publish a new article (as this is, its a rewritten reresearched guide) one of my priorities is to read people's feedback and suggestions; as we want to make it as good as it can be. I've done that here... and thank you for the many good suggestions - I am slightly pee'd off though at some of the notes above which try and attack the work we've done to try and help people rather than improve it.

Martin