Eurostar/SNCF connection fares

[newmilton]

E* operates a six month booking horizon vs three months for SNCF. I generally book each leg of a journey to France separately as soon as the respective fares go on sale, in order to get the cheapest price for each, but this means missing out on the potentially cheaper connecting fare (and CIV protection).

Question: Do E* hold back any of their cheapest fares for those booking through tickets to other French destinations after the French leg goes on sale; or if they've all been sold during the first three months, is that it?

Many thanks.

 

[Blinder]

E* operates a six month booking horizon vs three months for SNCF. I generally book each leg of a journey to France separately as soon as the respective fares go on sale, in order to get the cheapest price for each, but this means missing out on the potentially cheaper connecting fare (and CIV protection).

Question: Do E* hold back any of their cheapest fares for those booking through tickets to other French destinations after the French leg goes on sale; or if they've all been sold during the first three months, is that it?

Many thanks.

Eurostar do not hold any quotas back, it is 1st come, 1st served. The dilemma is book the cheape E* when they are on sale or wait... You could always book through an agent, that can "hold" the Eurostar cheaper quota and then add the connecting leg when they are loaded."

 

[Bletchleyite]

While it might be more difficult to get it honoured, you do not require a through ticket for CIV protection. Most European high speed trains are sold as a separate ticket valid only on that train, and CIV protection applies to a whole continuous[1] journey even if sold in this way, AIUI.

[1] The split across London may kill this for UK-Eurostar tickets.