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?
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?