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Unable to reserve seats with certain fare types

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Wilt

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I've noticed something a bit odd when booking tickets for an upcoming trip, if I get an Anytime Short Distance Return for the Crewe -> Wigan leg I am unable to reserve seats on the outgoing or returning trains, however, if I choose a different ticket type eg. two Off-Peak Singles for the same trains I can reserve seats.

Is seat reservation ability based upon fare type? I always assumed it would just be based upon whether the train itself takes reservations or not.
 
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Hadders

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Some train operators do not allow seat reservations with certain ticket types. You should be able to reserve a seat if you use Trainsplit.
 
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Wilt

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It was on Trainsplit that I noticed it - I'm not too worried as I'm sure I'll be able to find a seat, I was just a bit surprised that a certain type of fare would prevent you reserving a seat on a train that you otherwise could.
 
kieron

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It says on nre.co.uk that you may reserve a seat with these tickets. As I don't think you'd be offered this ticket on any non-reservable trains, what you saw was probably just a glitch somewhere.
 
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yorkie

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Wilt said:
Is seat reservation ability based upon fare type? I always assumed it would just be based upon whether the train itself takes reservations or not.
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It can be, yes.

TPE & Virgin block some of their trains to holders of ticket type "OPR" (or the equivalent single, "OPS")

In case anyone is wondering, an "OPR" is a type of Super Off Peak Return that is often more restrictive than the more traditional "SSR" type of Super Off Peak Return.

It tends to confuse the staff as much as it does the passengers, here is one example:

https://twitter.com/AvantiWestCoast/status/1207302291939876864
@Seve296 said:
...Return from Milton Keynes to London...
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@Seve296 said:
For tomorrow, a super off peak return. Won’t let me reserve a seat either despite asking my preference.
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@AvantiWestCoast said:
What times are you trying to book? ^CC
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@Seve296 said:
1459 and 2230. ...
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@AvantiWestCoast said:
We'll get back to you on this once we've spoken to our Retail Support Manager. ^CC
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@AvantiWestCoast said:
Our Retail Manager has advised that they are currently looking into the matter with our supplier.
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Edit: since the above discussion took place, we do have an update:
@Seve296 said:
Never heard back from them, but I notice that the problem has been fixed ...
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And also there's these threads from @helinlouise:
 
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Starmill

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Most of the time when this happens you will be allowed to make a reservation manually. If you buy the ticket, and then email web support, call, or in many cases message on Twitter or Facebook and the company will probably be happy to add reservations for you.
 
Paul Kelly

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Starmill said:
Most of the time when this happens you will be allowed to make a reservation manually. If you buy the ticket, and then email web support, call, or in many cases message on Twitter or Facebook and the company will probably be happy to add reservations for you.
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They'll still have to bodge it by putting in a different ticket type from the one you're actually travelling on though, unless I'm mistaken...
 
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yorkie

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Indigo2 said:
They'll still have to bodge it by putting in a different ticket type from the one you're actually travelling on though, unless I'm mistaken...
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Yes that's right; they will do a "dummy" journey enquiry with a ticket type like SDS/SOS then cancel the ticket.
 
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CyrusWuff

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Bletchleyite said:
What was it about fares being simple? This is a ridiculous, confusing policy and needs to be dropped.
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There's nothing new about it. Quotas linked to ticket types were a thing back in CRS days as well.

However, back in those days, it was rare for a walk up fare to have a specific quota, with "Silver Standard" type services being the general exception.
 
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Bletchleyite

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CyrusWuff said:
There's nothing new about it. Quotas linked to ticket types were a thing back in CRS days as well.
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That was more to enable Advances (Apexes) etc to exist, though, wasn't it?

However, back in those days, it was rare for a walk up fare to have a specific quota, with "Silver Standard" type services being the general exception.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's this that is stupid and confusing.
 
Starmill

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It has been known for departures on LNER from London (e.g. the 1433 to Leeds) to show no seating available to someone with a Super Off Peak Return and of course that's the final train they're permitted to take to Leeds until the 1903. Standard Advances usually sell out. But an Anytime Single to Leeds? Magically a seat reservation suddenly becomes available.
 
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