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Are Eurostar profiteering from pandemic changes?

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willD

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A short while ago, Eurostar had a sale on with fares to Paris running from £34 each way. I booked for January with the intention of a trip to Disneyland. This is, now, not looking particularly likely. And unless Eurostar themselves cancel the train, they will not give a cash refund, only vouchers or changes with the fare difference paid.

Of course, none of those £34 fares are still available. So if it isn't cancelled, and absent another £34 sale on anytime soon (I think not) I will have to fork out the fare difference with to the next lowest fare, making a further payment to Eurostar. I accepted these terms when I booked, of course knowing the current situation was possible (though maybe not probable), so this is really my own fault.

Recently, I was doing some unrelated research as to the benefits afforded to people who work for the railways, 'Priv' fares. I found this manual listing those fares on the Eurostar. I noted that it says:

The fares cover Eurostar’s unavoidable charges, i.e. seat reservation fee, tunnel toll plus meal in Standard Premier.

A Paris single is listed at a cost of £34.50. This suggests that those £34 sale fares were not, in themselves, profitable for Eurostar. Given that changes must have the difference in fare paid, doesn't this suggest that, although they could never have seen the new restrictions coming, that the business model was to sell tickets below the cost of providing the service, knowing that many people might need to change their plans and that they could then pocket the difference?
 
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AlterEgo

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Yes, that’s how airlines have worked for at least a year now and is the new modus operandi of the international travel industry. Caveat emptor I’m afraid.
 

Starmill

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It is very, very frustrating, but Eurostar cannot realistically be expected to offer cheap tickets because of the very particular situation in which they find themselves. All the enormous costs of entry exit checks, following the well over the top tunnel security rules, having to deal with customs and juxtaposed border control, and the amortisation of the tunnel itself, all dumped on them and ultimately expected to be paid for through their commercial rates. Frankly with all that nonsense going on it's a wonder they even managed to get a fare out as low as £34 again. £78 round trip has been their cheapest rate for some time.

Perhaps it would actually be better if they didn't offer low rates, just to avoid the disappointment. But then of course, even fewer people would be travelling in a more sustainable way between Britain and the Continent. Unless the market is restructured to get rid of some of the daft rules, I can't see Eurostar developing except at the upper middle class market going for luxury city breaks. We will also have to see if business travel returns. Sadly I don't think 'cheap and cheerful' trips to Disneyland or midweeks in Paris are very viable any more.

Hopefully you get lucky and your trains are cancelled or have their departure times amended, which is what happened to me.
 
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Peterthegreat

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A short while ago, Eurostar had a sale on with fares to Paris running from £34 each way. I booked for January with the intention of a trip to Disneyland. This is, now, not looking particularly likely. And unless Eurostar themselves cancel the train, they will not give a cash refund, only vouchers or changes with the fare difference paid.

Of course, none of those £34 fares are still available. So if it isn't cancelled, and absent another £34 sale on anytime soon (I think not) I will have to fork out the fare difference with to the next lowest fare, making a further payment to Eurostar. I accepted these terms when I booked, of course knowing the current situation was possible (though maybe not probable), so this is really my own fault.

Recently, I was doing some unrelated research as to the benefits afforded to people who work for the railways, 'Priv' fares. I found this manual listing those fares on the Eurostar. I noted that it says:



A Paris single is listed at a cost of £34.50. This suggests that those £34 sale fares were not, in themselves, profitable for Eurostar. Given that changes must have the difference in fare paid, doesn't this suggest that, although they could never have seen the new restrictions coming, that the business model was to sell tickets below the cost of providing the service, knowing that many people might need to change their plans and that they could then pocket the difference?
The lowest price for rail staff is £23 and this covers tunnel toll, reservation fee etc. However this only applies to those staff who joined before 1 April 1996. A fare of £34 more than covers this.
 

357

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If you shorten the question to "Are Eurostar profiting?" Then the answer is certainly no.

I personally see no problem with what they have done. "You pays your money and you takes your chances".

Had things gone slightly differently, you'd have had a trip away for a great price! :)

Regarding the price, they are likely factoring in a percentage of people who won't show up, and a percentage of people paying for extras like food and drink on the train, in a similar way to budget airlines selling £8 tickets and even supermarket chains.

A supermarket sells everyday staple products like milk and eggs as loss leader items to entice customers. Customers enter, attracted by the low prices on these staples. While browsing, they're likely to purchase additional, more profitable products which puts the supermarket ahead.
 

Alfonso

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A short while ago, Eurostar had a sale on with fares to Paris running from £34 each way. I booked for January with the intention of a trip to Disneyland. This is, now, not looking particularly likely. And unless Eurostar themselves cancel the train, they will not give a cash refund, only vouchers or changes with the fare difference paid.

Of course, none of those £34 fares are still available. So if it isn't cancelled, and absent another £34 sale on anytime soon (I think not) I will have to fork out the fare difference with to the next lowest fare, making a further payment to Eurostar. I accepted these terms when I booked, of course knowing the current situation was possible (though maybe not probable), so this is really my own fault.

Recently, I was doing some unrelated research as to the benefits afforded to people who work for the railways, 'Priv' fares. I found this manual listing those fares on the Eurostar. I noted that it says:



A Paris single is listed at a cost of £34.50. This suggests that those £34 sale fares were not, in themselves, profitable for Eurostar. Given that changes must have the difference in fare paid, doesn't this suggest that, although they could never have seen the new restrictions coming, that the business model was to sell tickets below the cost of providing the service, knowing that many people might need to change their plans and that they could then pocket the difference?
I wouldn't say it's your own fault, but it is your own choice.its not like at the beginning of the pandemic when Custer's could say the situation was almost entirely unpredictable. We are now well aware of all the potential problems of travel rules changing, variants coming and going, potential for the need to self isolate etc. When you buy a cheap fare with lots of restrictions you know you're taking a risk. Hopefully your train is cancelled and you can claim a full refund.
 

RT4038

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Got to laugh at the thought that anyone could think that Eurostar are 'profiteering' at the moment.......!
 

TRAX

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Got to laugh at the thought that anyone could think that Eurostar are 'profiteering' at the moment.......!

Yes indeed… they nearly went bankrupt after the British and French governement refused to help the company and had one return trip a day during the height of the COVID period so to claim that is quite bold !
 

the sniper

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Recently, I was doing some unrelated research as to the benefits afforded to people who work for the railways, 'Priv' fares. I found this manual listing those fares on the Eurostar.

Mind your business! ;):lol:

The Eurostar travel privileges aren't what they once were, for TOCNE staff anyway. For the purposes of your research, there are quotas for these fares and it had become quite a pain accessing them. Pre-covid, at least.
 
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willD

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Fair points all! I stand corrected. It isn't a pleasant state of affairs for the traveller, but I can see how they haven't got much choice in the matter, either!

Mind your business! ;):lol:

The Eurostar travel privileges aren't what they once were, for TOCNE staff anyway. For the purposes of your research, there are quotas for these fares and it had become quite a pain accessing them. Pre-covid, at least.

Perhaps it is my business! I'm looking for a job in the industry :D
 

nw1

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Yes indeed… they nearly went bankrupt after the British and French governement refused to help the company and had one return trip a day during the height of the COVID period so to claim that is quite bold !

One wonders whether Johnson and Macron would like Eurostar permanently withdrawn, given the apparent attitude of the British Government towards immigrants and the apparent attitude of Macron towards British tourists! ;)
 

duesselmartin

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I booked BA over Xmas, cancelled the trip due to covid. No idea yet if I get anything back. My request is being processed.
Anybody booking this winter knows the risks and therefore should expect the loss.
A voucher and I am happy. Same goes for Eurostar. They are all trying to survive.
 

jonty14

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I had an economy booking with Stena Line from Hook of Holland to Harwich on the 20th December. Had to cancel due to new German travel restrictions meaning I couldn't return to Germany without 2 weeks isolation. They gave me a full refund. They didn't have to with an economy ticket. I will definitely stick with them in the future.
 

Donny_m

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I booked BA over Xmas, cancelled the trip due to covid. No idea yet if I get anything back. My request is being processed.
Anybody booking this winter knows the risks and therefore should expect the loss.
A voucher and I am happy. Same goes for Eurostar. They are all trying to survive.

Same but mine was for before America reopened, so I couldn’t go if I wanted to. They had a list of things they could accept to give me a voucher refund and they picked over it with a fine tooth comb before agreeing.

If you yourself cancelled but technically you could have gone then I don’t think they’ll refund a standard ticket.
 

scarby

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Just had a look at Eurostar fares for 2 April as part of a journey from London to Toulouse. EUR 224 for the morning trains to Paris that would enable a connection to Toulouse.

Ouch.

That EUR 224 only gets me to Paris and I could fly all the way from LHR to Toulouse for around 132 EUR.

It's not as if April 2 is next week, it's still 7 weeks away and it's not even the start of the Easter holidays.
 

Peterthegreat

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Just had a look at Eurostar fares for 2 April as part of a journey from London to Toulouse. EUR 224 for the morning trains to Paris that would enable a connection to Toulouse.

Ouch.

That EUR 224 only gets me to Paris and I could fly all the way from LHR to Toulouse for around 132 EUR.

It's not as if April 2 is next week, it's still 7 weeks away and it's not even the start of the Easter holidays.
You can do London to Toulouse via Paris as a through fare. On 2 April it can be done from £154.70 (or £178.87 in first).
 

30907

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It's not as if April 2 is next week, it's still 7 weeks away and it's not even the start of the Easter holidays.
Given how late Easter is, from past experience I would expect some schools to be on holiday from that weekend.
 

Hophead

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Eurostar currently have a seat sale on, so there are £35 tickets available, though possibly not on your chosen date (Easter is one of the excluded weekends).
 

scarby

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Eurostar currently have a seat sale on, so there are £35 tickets available, though possibly not on your chosen date (Easter is one of the excluded weekends).
Thanks. Yes, it would be well before Easter. Unfortunately the very few times I want to use Eurostar it seems the prices on the day and time I want to travel are all double those of the surrounding days.
 
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