London to Kyle of Lochalsh leisure trip

[cjp]

This is my plan but it can be varied and I am 0pen to suggestions and "can't do that" feedback

Either a London to Inverness or Edinburgh with either a standard offpeak return
or a pair of Advance 1st class tickets to and from Inverness or Edinburgh (probably Edinburgh)
AND
to finish a club55 premier to Kyle

A club 55 condition of no break of journey except for connection purposes is an issue but as I will arrive too late to get a train to Kyle I thought I could/might spend the night of the first day in Inverness and continue my journey Kyle the second day?

I also considered a sleeper up but had problems with the Scotrail's Advance members offer of a £99 return for two on any route not being available for me. (Even if I paid the £99 they would not let me board if the second person was not with me as the ticket would not be valid as it is for two people - but that is another point).

Travelling out on either 9th 10th 11th or 12th March but wanting to come back on Saturday 17th (unless I get the Sunday night sleeper back instead)

So many choices and permutations for a leisure traveller with a bit of time on their hands

So comments, suggestions on splits are welcome as my head is getting muddled

 

[pkkelly]

I also considered a sleeper up but had problems with the Scotrail's Advance members offer of a £99 return for two on any route not being available for me. (Even if I paid the £99 they would not let me board if the second person was not with me as the ticket would not be valid as it is for two people - but that is another point).

It does not say in the T&Cs - http://www.scotrail.co.uk/content/advance/2-99-caledonian-sleeper -that both people need to travel.

 

[John @ home]

It appears that Club 55 Premier is not available between Inverness and Kyle.

Club 55 Premier is only available on the following routes, on all operators’ services

• Aberdeen and Inverness
• Aberdeen and Edinburgh/Glasgow
• Inverness and Edinburgh/Glasgow

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/content/about-club-55-premier.html

 

[wintonian]

Strange Avantix comes up with a £19.00 S55 CLUB55 STANDARD restriction TI, Inverness to Kyle.

I assume the routes Club 55 is available on varies with each promotion.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Strange Avantix comes up with a £19.00 S55 CLUB55 STANDARD restriction TI, Inverness to Kyle.

I assume the routes Club 55 is available on varies with each promotion.

Is the problem not just that there's no First Class seats from INV - KYL?

 

[wintonian]

Ah ok I didn't relise that 'Club 55 Premier' referd to the first class veriety, not being eligable for Club 55 for sometime yet I don't tend to pay much attention to it

 

[cjp]

It does not say in the T&Cs - http://www.scotrail.co.uk/content/advance/2-99-caledonian-sleeper -that both people need to travel.

I know that is what i thought.

Scotrail have emailed me this today
"I am sorry that you have cause to complain about the terms and conditions of our recent Advance Members loyalty promotion that allows for two people to travel on the Caledonian Sleeper service for £99. I have raised your concerns with our marketing department who have advised that to allow for many Advance Members to take advantage of the promotions, the promotions have to vary."

Which was a prompt response from them but makes me feel no better and I would not have liked to turn quoting the TOC up only to refused boarding :cry:

Anyway any further thoughts on my ticketing ideas?
In particular the overnight in Inverness?
(and there is no first class beyond Inverness)

 

[Peter Mugridge]

(and there is no first class beyond Inverness)

The Kyle trains do, however, have first class seats in one end ( they're 158s ). They're just declassified north of Inverness.

 

[cjp]

The Kyle trains do, however, have first class seats in one end ( they're 158s ). They're just declassified north of Inverness.

Interesting.

I think my travel will be via Glasgow with Virgin up the West coast as I have not been that way for years and it saves a few pennies.

I just need to check tomorrow at Paddington that they can accommodate a bicycle in their trains.