Hi all, I have a query on whether the open return I bought will actually be accepted or not.
The ticket type "Open Return" no longer exists, and has been renamed Anytime, but the abbreviations still exist.
SOR = Anytime Return (formerly Standard Open Return)
FOR = First Anytime Return (formerly First Open Return)
The other thing to change is that the outward portion is only valid for 5 days
I need to travel from shotton\chester to stansted airport this coming week so I had a look on trainline for open returns.
Part of the reason for the abolishment of the Open Return is Thetrainline using the term "open" to mean "a ticket that is not tied to a specific train", that is not necessarily the same as the official term "Open" which meant "a ticket that is valid on ANY train for one calendar month"!
It is perhaps surprising that Thetrainline were allowed to cause such confusion.
I needed to get to the airport at 12:30pm which meant an early outgoing start. After looking around on trainline, I found one option which was a good price using my YP railcard which started at 07:27. I'm just worried that the train conductor wont accept my open return YP ticket on either the first arriva or second virgin outgoing train. There's no details on the outgoing ticket itself, just off peak return, shotton to stansted.
Ah, it's not an SOR, but an Off Peak Return (SVR). So it's not what used to be called the "Open" return. It's what used to be called a "Saver" return. Under BR all Saver returns that did not avoid going to, or via London or certain stations near London, were valid at any time. Now things are rather less simple, and we must check the validity code. We can do this if we know the origin, destination, ticket type and route. Sometimes we don't need to know the route, if there is only one route, but in your case we do need to know the route before we can assist.
The restrictions do vary depending on the routeing of your ticket in your case, and other cases. This of course is not in any way "simple", despite the railway companies claiming that it is.
I'm just hoping that surely the fact that trainline sold me this ticket in the first place will mean I'm safe, also I just skipped the seat reservation step as usual, probably a silly mistake.. Will I be ok?
Cheers
Matt
If the ticket is valid, it should be accepted regardless.
If the ticket is not valid, then having a reservation and/or bringing the itinerary printed from Thetrainline certainly helps your case.
Chances are it is valid, as Thetrainline is
usually correct.
However we are unable to assist further unless we know exactly what ticket you hold. If you are able to give us the routeing on the ticket that would be a great help. (We could probably work it out if we discovered the price!)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
It says.. Any permitted and the train arrives at Euston 10:12. The first part of the journey is from Shotton to Warrington bank quay (arrive at 08:06) which is where I change over, I believe this is via Arriva trains Wales? Will there be any problem here too?
Right, so the ticket is from Shotton not Chester. Your original post had both stations in, so I have removed the reference to Chester to avoid confusion. I am also going to edit the title of your post to avoid confusion too.
Avantix Traveller said:
SHOTTON (SHT) to STANSTED AIRPORT (SSD)
SVR - OFF-PEAK R VWC
00000 - +ANY PERMITTED
1 Adult @£ 56.45 = £ 56.45 (with Railcard discount)
Restriction : VK
Restriction Applies Monday to
Friday only. No travel
restrictions on other days.
OUTWARD TRAVEL:
You may travel on any train
that is scheduled to ARRIVE:
London Euston: At or after
1000
London Marylebone: At or after
1005
London Paddington: At or after
1010
Milton Keynes Central: At or
after 1000
Reading: At or after 0940
Watford Junction: At or after
1020
RETURN TRAVEL:
You may travel on any train
that is scheduled to DEPART:
London Euston: At or after
0905 but not valid on the 1610
London Marylebone: By any
train.
London Paddington: Between
0810 and 1640, or after 1831
Milton Keynes Central: At or a
0905 but not valid on the 1640
Reading: Between 0835 and 1710
, or after 1859.
Watford Junction: At or after
0900.
* Break of journey is not
valid on Outward Travel.
Please note: Off-Peak
restrictions on Virgin Trains
services will not apply from
22nd April - 25th April inc.
Note that the ticket is "unrestricted between London and [Stansted], and return"
Restrictions only apply on the leg to/from Euston.
The quickest/shortest way to travel between London Euston and Stansted is to take the Victoria Line from Euston to Tottenham Hale, but you may wish to go via Liverpool Street, which is of course perfectly valid. If you think the train to Stansted may be busy, starting at Liverpool St may be of benefit to get a seat. The Metropolitan line from Euston Square to Liverpool St is also a more 'civilised' way to travel than the deep Victoria tube line in my opinion, too! Plus, Liverpool St is worth a visit, and there are good facilities there including many shops.
), I really wouldn't bother to print anything out. The guard can look it up themselves if he/she doesn't know the validity but I am sure they will know it's valid.