Virgin trains ticket question.

[Phoenix]

Hey another ticket question from me once again so here goes...............

Basically just booked in advance for me and my girlfriend to travel from Birmingham New street to Chelmsford via London and a return two days after.
Was just wondering on the way back do I have to travel on a specific Virgin service (the one I booked on) or could I get away with spending a little more time in London.
Yes I guess that it isn't the best bet but the question is can I get away with it an how?
I sound abit cheap at this moment in time just not a lot of money and want to have a special weekend with the lady so please help is needed!

 

[John @ home]

on the way back do I have to travel on a specific Virgin service (the one I booked on)

If you have booked Advance tickets, not just booked in advance, then Yes.

The terms and conditions for Advance tickets are here http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/advance_conditions.html

The crucial sentence is Tickets are valid ONLY on the date and train service(s) shown on the ticket(s). Train companies are strictly enforcing this. If you catch any other train you have to buy new tickets at the full undiscounted fare. From Birmingham to Euston that is £66 each and if you are charged for the full Birmingham to Chelmsford journey that would be £78 each.

could I get away with spending a little more time in London.

It depends. If your tickets and reservations show that you have reserved seats between London and Chelmsford then you must catch the trains on which your seats are reserved.

But only two of the five trains per hour between London and Chelmsford have reservable seats. If you don't have reserved seats for the London - Chelmsford legs then you could spend more time in London by leaving London later on the outward journey or leaving Chelmsford earlier on the return leg.

John

 

[yorkie]

It depends. If your tickets and reservations show that you have reserved seats between London and Chelmsford then you must catch the trains on which your seats are reserved.

That's debatable as if they are "Virgin and Connections" it should be any train that is a "connection", but this discussion has been held several times and we could not come up with a conclusive answer.

Anyway I am reluctant to help the OP beat the system...

The socialists will always be there to create biased unproven opinions and somehow always seem to make idiots out of themselves when possible.
I really want a world without worry and injustice but I would rather not lie to create peace on earth.

Fine, but practice your own advice and obey the requests that are made - that means you get your booked train

 

[Phoenix]

That's debatable as if they are "Virgin and Connections" it should be any train that is a "connection", but this discussion has been held several times and we could not come up with a conclusive answer.

Anyway I am reluctant to help the OP beat the system...

Fine, but practice your own advice and obey the requests that are made - that means you get your booked train

Let's face it no one is perfect not even you and if I want to risk it all for the sake of giving my girlfriend a few hours in the capital on her Birthday week then so be it.
And im impressed by your skills of dredging up old comments to deter someone from doing wrong but im sorry it hasn't work because basically fairness and railways are two completely different things and nothing will change that the day I get treated with respect by the industry then I will play ball.

 

[glynn80]

Let's face it no one is perfect not even you and if I want to risk it all for the sake of giving my girlfriend a few hours in the capital on her Birthday week then so be it.

Wonder if your girlfriend would be happy being questioned by a Revenue Protection Inspector at the Euston gateline and then being refused entry onto the train unless a new ticket at £66.00 each is bought. Sounds like she'll have a lovely birthday if that's what you are planning for her. If you weren't to have £132 lying around (which it sounds like you don't from your posts in this topic) then it could get even worse with you being stuck in London.

 

[87015]

I certainly wouldn't recommend trying to beat the Euston barrier staff with a reservation for the wrong train. They are not the most friendly bunch.

 

[Phoenix]

I certainly wouldn't recommend trying to beat the Euston barrier staff with a reservation for the wrong train. They are not the most friendly bunch.

Yeah after thinking over it I decided that trying it on the home leg would be rather stupid I may rather than feel the wrath of virgin just do it on the first trip as seen as though NXEA us unit's on which you cannot book seats I see them being slightly easier to work around.

Wonder if your girlfriend would be happy being questioned by a Revenue Protection Inspector at the Euston gateline and then being refused entry onto the train unless a new ticket at £66.00 each is bought. Sounds like she'll have a lovely birthday if that's what you are planning for her. If you weren't to have £132 lying around (which it sounds like you don't from your posts in this topic) then it could get even worse with you being stuck in London.

Yeah I do understand the magnitude of the situation and do you think I would make her pay for the extra also if that were true I wouldn't be in a relationship.


But any who I guess this isn't one of those questions you ask on a public forum so I will leave it at that whether I try it or not we shall have to see anyway but before anyone get worried for my sake like I said I will not mess with virgins wrath just NXEA's most likely.

 

[yorkie]

"Let's face it no one is perfect" is a very true comment, so maybe you won't go saying things about harmless enthusiasts next time

Anyway I've sent you a PM.