Advance fares dates

[hantsman1205]

I realize you can book aprox 12 weeks before roughly but do the advance dates change weekly, fortnightly or monthly?

 

[Romilly]

Generally weekly. For example, VT East Coast generally release the next batch of Advance tickets on a Friday morning at some point after about 10am, although they seem to be released progressively over 10 minutes or more.

But note that there may be a delay in releasing Advances for weekend or late-evening services if engineering details have not been settled.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Also bear in mind that VTEC (stupidly) have a 26-week booking window on fares from Edinburgh-Newcastle-York-London

 

[Romilly]

Indeed, although only for ordinary weekdays. As to whether it's good or bad, there are pros and cons. What I haven't worked out yet is whether the lowest tier of standard-class Advance tickets ever sells out before the 12-week threshold - I haven't yet noticed that happening, but I may not have been looking at the most popular journeys. In contrast, in the 24 to 12 week period, there are often warnings that there are only a handful of 1st-class Advance tickets left at a particular price.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Also bear in mind that VTEC (stupidly) have a 26-week booking window on fares from Edinburgh-Newcastle-York.

To London

 

[Tetchytyke]

To London

Yep, missed that out by mistake
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

What I haven't worked out yet is whether the lowest tier of standard-class Advance tickets ever sells out before the 12-week threshold

They do on the Friday afternoon/evening trains out of London.

I'm finding myself using Grand Central a lot more these days because the cheap tickets are simply not there on VTEC any more. I think some of it is the change to Virgin's own special method of price gouging (sensibly priced fares on Sunday afternoons are a thing of the past too), but I think the extended booking window has a fair bit to do with it too.

 

[hantsman1205]

Indeed, although only for ordinary weekdays. As to whether it's good or bad, there are pros and cons. What I haven't worked out yet is whether the lowest tier of standard-class Advance tiCDckets ever sells out before the 12-week threshold - I haven't yet noticed that happening, but I may not have been looking at the most popular journeys. In contrast, in the 24 to 12 week period, there are often warnings that there are only a handful of 1st-class Advance tickets left at a particular price.

I booked advanced fares on the 10th September for Basingstoke to Nailsea & Backwell Fri 20th Nov, returning Sun 22nd Nov in reverse @ £11.50 per single, total £23.50. Cheapest fare according to BRfares.

Yesterday same dates & same times price is now £27 each leg making it £54 return. So 13 days later quite a hike, but I guess Fri - Sun is a popular journey.

 

[londonbridge]

I realize you can book aprox 12 weeks before roughly but do the advance dates change weekly, fortnightly or monthly?

Note that Grand Central, for one, release advances on a daily basis.