discounted first class ticket ideas?

[hst2cornwall]

Hi guys, just wondering if anyone had any ideas for geting a discount on 1st class tickets booked in advance. I already have a disabled person rail card and book tickets in advance so I can get assistance from virgin journey care. I'm making a journey from worcester to st austell to visit family later in the year, so it will be xc from cheltenham to probably exeter, then FGW to exeter. We travelled 1st class earlier in the year simply because there was no room in standard, and journey care hadn't book me a table seat for my guide dog. Loads more room in 1st, not to mention at seat service made things a lot easier.
Any ideas welcome, thanks in advance.

 

[wintonian]

Hi guys, just wondering if anyone had any ideas for geting a discount on 1st class tickets booked in advance. I already have a disabled person rail card and book tickets in advance so I can get assistance from virgin journey care. I'm making a journey from worcester to st austell to visit family later in the year, so it will be xc from cheltenham to probably exeter, then FGW to exeter. We travelled 1st class earlier in the year simply because there was no room in standard, and journey care hadn't book me a table seat for my guide dog. Loads more room in 1st, not to mention at seat service made things a lot easier.
Any ideas welcome, thanks in advance.

How about 50% off first/ standard class anytime day returns for you and a companion with no need for a railcard?

See here.

 

[IanD]

How about 50% off first/ standard class anytime day returns for you and a companion with no need for a railcard?

See here.

Doesn't the disabled persons railcard give discounts on first class fares anyway.

 

[wintonian]

Doesn't the disabled persons railcard give discounts on first class fares anyway.

Yes but only 34%.

 

[IanD]

But also on Advance tickets which is possibly what the OP is buying.

And according to the page you linked to the 50% discount is only available to disabled people who DO NOT HAVE a railcard so technically as the OP has a railcard, they are not entitled to this discount Like to see them try and enforce that.

 

[wintonian]

But also on Advance tickets which is possibly what the OP is buying.

And according to the page you linked to the 50% discount is only available to disabled people who DO NOT HAVE a railcard so technically as the OP has a railcard, they are not entitled to this discount Like to see them try and enforce that.

Blind or visually-impaired customers who do not have a Disabled Persons Railcard travelling with a companion

If you are registered as blind or visually impaired and you are travelling with another person, the above concessionary discounts on fares apply for both you and your companion. You cannot get a discount if you are travelling on your own.

You must show a document confirming your disability when you buy your ticket and when travelling. It must be from a recognised institution, for example, Social Services, your Local Authority, The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) or St Dunstan's. Tickets can be purchased from staffed National Rail station ticket offices.

Is that what it means though?

Does it not infact mean "Blind or visually-impaired customers who do or do not have a Disabled Persons Railcard travelling with a companion"

Or do they take your name and address proof of ID and phone up the DPRC every time someone asks for the 50% discount fare?

 

[HowMuch?]

"Do you have a ticket" "No, I left it at home" "Then you do not have a ticket".

Substitute Railcard for Ticket above...

 

[wintonian]

"Do you have a ticket" "No, I left it at home" "Then you do not have a ticket".

Substitute Railcard for Ticket above...

Right fine.

I blame Yorkies tendency to complicate matters around here and blame it all on ATOC's simplification.

 

[hst2cornwall]

How about 50% off first/ standard class anytime day returns for you and a companion with no need for a railcard?

See here.

Doesn't make sense that, what's the point in getting a rail card in the 1st place if visually impared people can get 50% off? Well it seems like I've answered my own question there, with the 50% you must have a companion, whereas with a rail card you can get the 34% on your own. the discount is also only available on day returns? Bottom line, 1st class is generally overpriced, but with much more space and no kids trying to take my guide dog for a nice walk to the other end of the train its got to be an option on a 5 hour journey.

 

[34D]

Doesn't make sense that, what's the point in getting a rail card in the 1st place if visually impared people can get 50% off? Well it seems like I've answered my own question there, with the 50% you must have a companion, whereas with a rail card you can get the 34% on your own. the discount is also only available on day returns? Bottom line, 1st class is generally overpriced, but with much more space and no kids trying to take my guide dog for a nice walk to the other end of the train its got to be an option on a 5 hour journey.

This discount is only on anytime tickets (so not on off peak, super off peak, etc) and in many cases 34% off those fares will be cheaper than 50% off the anytime fare.

 

[bb21]

Hi guys, just wondering if anyone had any ideas for geting a discount on 1st class tickets booked in advance. I already have a disabled person rail card and book tickets in advance so I can get assistance from virgin journey care. I'm making a journey from worcester to st austell to visit family later in the year, so it will be xc from cheltenham to probably exeter, then FGW to exeter. We travelled 1st class earlier in the year simply because there was no room in standard, and journey care hadn't book me a table seat for my guide dog. Loads more room in 1st, not to mention at seat service made things a lot easier.
Any ideas welcome, thanks in advance.

Seeing that the thread has drifted off course somewhat, I will try and bring it back on topic.

Do you have a date in mind? Cheap Advance fares do not come on sale until approximately 12 weeks in advance of travel.

 

[hst2cornwall]

Seeing that the thread has drifted off course somewhat, I will try and bring it back on topic.

Do you have a date in mind? Cheap Advance fares do not come on sale until approximately 12 weeks in advance of travel.

Travelling in October. I've found quite often that the cheap tickets are not on sale until later on in that 12 week window before travel. Problem in waiting for them is that by the time they are on sale most or all of the table seats having already been reserved. I need a table so the dog can get under and out of the way of other passengers and train staff, not to mention the lovely XC refrefreshments trolly. This is why 1st clas makes so much sense because there is no lack of tables. I've found if I buy tickets well in advance, I pay full price and there is no end of table seats available when I ring virgin journey care to book assistance. Wait for the cheap advance tickets to be available, save money, call journey care only to find the only seats are singles. Just to mention my wife also has a guide dog, and we quite often find ourselves at opposite end of the coach. Hope this makes sense?