Rugby to Euston is the cutoff on the South WCML. 82 Miles.
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Club Avanti
- Thread starter realemil
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DJ_K666
Member
Why bother? Avanti will be gone within a few years anyway.
Mcr Warrior
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 8 Jan 2009
- Messages
- 14,742
That's as may be, but, in the meantime, eligibility for free trips with Club Avanti is still a potentially useful perk for anyone able to make use of the offer.
The free SP and first class tickets have saved me about £400 in a year, as I used them on journeys I had to make.
Good lord, really? I managed it in just over six weeks commuting from Coventry to Euston, mainly on advances that didn't cost that much! To be fair I think the Coventry <> Euston route might be one of the easiest ones to get through the tiers on the cheap as it just exceeds the (I think) 70-mile minimum journey distance for a journey to qualify for your overall tally.
Nice reminder though -- I gifted my free SP journey to Mrs J, but the free 1st one is still burning a metaphorical hole in my Avanti account. I can see a cheeky couple of days off / nice long trip to Scotland in my near future
My spend is a function of needing to be in certain places at certain times, plus travelling SP so I can get some work done. Of all of the loyalty/frequent traveller schemes I've used, this is by far the most lucrative in recent times. It's not BA first class to Australia but the financial return is pretty decent.
DJ_K666
Member
Fair, although these days I'd rather walk barefoot through acid than visit London.
I’ve just hit the platinum threshold and will be using the tickets to completely cover a trip to London from Scotland in December.
I’m aware it’s not easily accessible/brilliant value for everyone, but this scheme has definitely benefitted me. Nice to see first class lounge passes included recently, I was able to use one before my train at Euston a couple of weeks ago and it was a very pleasant addition to the journey.
I’m aware it’s not easily accessible/brilliant value for everyone, but this scheme has definitely benefitted me. Nice to see first class lounge passes included recently, I was able to use one before my train at Euston a couple of weeks ago and it was a very pleasant addition to the journey.
This "generosity" should be seen in the context of the previous loyalty programme, which Avanti inherited from Virgin Trains and then shut down. That offered two free first-class return tickets every weekend.
I used that 20+ times a year for several years. They also sent me regular Xmas gifts such as a bottle of port with some luxury cheeses. I also enjoyed two hospitality tickets to a gig in Manchester they were sponsoring.
Avanti are remarkably stingy by comparison.
I was wondering if anyone knew whether Club avanti would let me gift my parents my First class return tickets as I wanted to surprise them for their birthdays with a free trip to visit me! I thought it should be fine after reading the T&Cs but wanted to get the forums advice first.
Rereading the rules from section 5. on "All about redeeming Reward Tickets (how you win big)" it states:
5.1 After you’ve completed nine Qualifying Journeys within a Membership Year, we’ll give you one free return journey in Standard Premium Class and after completing 21 Qualifying Journeys within a Membership Year, you’ll receive one free return journey in First Class.
5.2 You will receive the voucher for your free return journey automatically by email when you have completed the required number of Qualifying Journeys. Reward vouchers are valid for 365 days from issue. You will need to book and make your outbound journey within this period.
5.3 Reward Tickets entitle Members to one free return journey, booked using two single Advance tickets available on Avanti West Coast operated services only booked between two Avanti West Coast stations. You can find the Avanti Route Map here at https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/where-we-go/our-routes/our-route-map. Reward tickets must be redeemed at avantiwestcoast.co.uk or via the Avanti West Coast mobile app at least 7 days before travel. (all other Advance tickets terms and conditions apply).
5.4 Reward Tickets have a nil value and do not qualify for Delay Repay refunds and are subject to availability.
5.5 You can change your Reward Ticket once before departure at no cost. All changes are subject to availability. Once issued, Reward Tickets are non-refundable.
5.6 Journeys taken on free discount code tickets do not count as Qualifying Journeys. Click here for a quick step guide on how to book your reward ticket.
5.7 Currently, Standard Premium Class is not available in North Wales.
Most relevant being 5.3. where "Member”is defined in section 1.5 as a member or membership of Club Avanti. Could it be inferred that the member is entitled to one free journey that they can book for however they please for someone else? Especially if there isn't any cash incentive which would invalidate the nil value rule. I already booked them as a surprise for my parents, guess I can always change the booked train using term 5.5
Rereading the rules from section 5. on "All about redeeming Reward Tickets (how you win big)" it states:
5.1 After you’ve completed nine Qualifying Journeys within a Membership Year, we’ll give you one free return journey in Standard Premium Class and after completing 21 Qualifying Journeys within a Membership Year, you’ll receive one free return journey in First Class.
5.2 You will receive the voucher for your free return journey automatically by email when you have completed the required number of Qualifying Journeys. Reward vouchers are valid for 365 days from issue. You will need to book and make your outbound journey within this period.
5.3 Reward Tickets entitle Members to one free return journey, booked using two single Advance tickets available on Avanti West Coast operated services only booked between two Avanti West Coast stations. You can find the Avanti Route Map here at https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/where-we-go/our-routes/our-route-map. Reward tickets must be redeemed at avantiwestcoast.co.uk or via the Avanti West Coast mobile app at least 7 days before travel. (all other Advance tickets terms and conditions apply).
5.4 Reward Tickets have a nil value and do not qualify for Delay Repay refunds and are subject to availability.
5.5 You can change your Reward Ticket once before departure at no cost. All changes are subject to availability. Once issued, Reward Tickets are non-refundable.
5.6 Journeys taken on free discount code tickets do not count as Qualifying Journeys. Click here for a quick step guide on how to book your reward ticket.
5.7 Currently, Standard Premium Class is not available in North Wales.
Most relevant being 5.3. where "Member”is defined in section 1.5 as a member or membership of Club Avanti. Could it be inferred that the member is entitled to one free journey that they can book for however they please for someone else? Especially if there isn't any cash incentive which would invalidate the nil value rule. I already booked them as a surprise for my parents, guess I can always change the booked train using term 5.5
Alvin_official
On Moderation
Don't see why you can't gift them it, after all its not like Avanti are going to demand to see everyone's ID's to check they match the booker names (for those who book online)
I'm sure someone will be along to correct me if I am incorrect.
Leisurefirst
Member
- Joined
- 23 Apr 2013
- Messages
- 455
I redeemed mine recently.
You just book it like an ordinary ticket and put in the code when paying so it doesn't look any different to a normal ticket.
Amos
Member
Just tried to sign up to this but my surname is invalid!
I gifted mine without any issue at all. Got a nice return from Edinburgh to Birmingham, saving around £250.
Ditto my first statement received yesterday. Only a Standard Premier this time but very welcome.
Trainbike46
Established Member
Are they still doing the thing where only tickets between Avanti-served stations count? e.g. something like a ticket from Euston to a Merseyrail station, travelling with Avanti to Liverpool Lime Street or Chester would not count, but a ticket from London to Lime street would?
Russel
Established Member
Apparently I need to tick a box to enable Club Avanti, but when I go to the relevant preference page, I can't see it... anyone else had this?
Yes. I emailed them and all I got in response was the same process laid out on their website despite me advising this didn't work.
They gave me the email address for club Avanti who initially gave me the same advice again but when I stated this was not working they responded to say that I was already a member.
[email protected]
Belperpete
Established Member
- Joined
- 17 Aug 2018
- Messages
- 2,395
I book tickets between a TfW station and a LO station, that includes BHM to EUS, and my monthly statements show me as having qualifying journeys. Although only 3 qualifying journeys this month, despite me booking returns. And despite me having added qualifying journeys each month, for some reason my annual total has stayed resolutely at 9 for several months. With no way of getting any kind of itemised statement, the whole system is as opaque as mud.
Mcr Warrior
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 8 Jan 2009
- Messages
- 14,742
Ticket would seem to have to be valid in whole or in part for an Avanti West Coast service.
Club Avanti | Train Travel Rewards | Avanti West Coast
Discover Club Avanti, the rewards programme from Avanti West Coast offering perks to Silver, Gold and Platinum members. Join for free to start earning rewards today.
www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk
Avanti West Coast said:
It won’t credit unless there is the potential for it to be valid on an Avanti service.
The Prisoner
Member
- Joined
- 22 Aug 2012
- Messages
- 373
I’ve ended up letting a standard premium journey reward expire - live in Chester and there is no SP on the Evero/Voyagers. Would have taken a free journey in standard, but can’t retro fit it to that apparently.