Open Return?

[suley]

Hi guys, i purchased an open return ticket from Bolton to London Euston this morning, my plan was to travel from Bolton in the evening to London. In the evening i was feeling sick so decided not to bother trying to travel and probably look to go either tomorrow or tuesday once i feel better. My question is since i purchased an open return i know the return can be within 30 days but my out going ticket is that now invalid or can i just use it on my out journey, bear in mind the ticket office is now probably closed so i probably cant get it changed

 

[yorkie]

The ticket type called Open Return is now called Anytime Return, though the code 'SOR' (or 'FOR' for 1st class) is retained. If this is the ticket type you have, then yes you can make the outward journey within 5 days and return within one month. This validity is usually printed on the ticket.

However some booking engines refer to the term "open return" to mean any ticket type in the category Off Peak or Anytime. If your ticket is an Off Peak Return (SVR) ticket, then unfortunately you do have to commence the outward journey on the date specified on the ticket. The return journey can be made any day within one month.

Some people refer to the term "open return" interchangbly with the term "period return" to mean any ticket type in the category Off Peak or Anytime that doesn't have the Day suffix. Your ticket won't have the Day suffix, however the lack of the Day suffix doesn't change the fact that the outward journey has to be made on Day 1.

Your only option, if you have an Off Peak Return, is to obtain a refund, less £10 admin fee, and purchase a replacement ticket. And yes as the ticket office is now closed, you would have to wait until it re-opens.

 

[suley]

Thanks for the advise, I have had a look and its says Class Std, Off Peak Return. Do i need to go to the station tomorrow (if i decide to travel on Tuesday instead? Also how do i explain it to the ticket office as the out going ticket would be effectively expired?

 

[34D]

Thanks for the advise, I have had a look and its says Class Std, Off Peak Return. Do i need to go to the station tomorrow (if i decide to travel on Tuesday instead? Also how do i explain it to the ticket office as the out going ticket would be effectively expired?

Yes you MUST visit a ticket office.

You have an off peak return. You simply explain that it is unused, and that you wish to have the ticket refunded (less Admin fee) and you wish to buy another for use today.

 

[island]

Note that the refund may not be given on the spot, e.g. you may be sent a cheque in the post.

 

[andrewkeith5]

Explaining why you didn't use it would probably help your case too.

 

[suley]

Thanks Guys, in the end i lost my return ticket but had my out going ticket, just decided it was best to class it as a loss and move on

 

[island]

You should be careful as the outbound half of a return ticket is not valid unless the unused return half can be shown.

 

[Goatboy]

You should be careful as the outbound half of a return ticket is not valid unless the unused return half can be shown.

Given that the outbound ticket was invalid because he'd not travelled on it's valid date thats probably not a concern