East Coast Rewards - Increase in Voucher Costs

[Lee_Again]

I realise my First Class for 2 will become 4 First Class singles but do we know if the 6 month validity will reset or will the original 'purchase' date still be used to calculate the months?

Regards,

Lee

 

[Sidious]

At least you get rewarded - those of us who use other TOC's don't

Points are gathered regardless of which TOC you travel on as long as you book through the eastcoast.co.uk website. So even if you live off network, you can take advantage of the rewards points. Sure you would have to redeem them on East Coast travel, but there are other things like wine etc.

I'm a bit miffed about this 'improvement' as I am now over 1000 points and was hoping to take the Mrs to London 1st class for free when I hit 1400.

 

[Bungle73]

At least you get rewarded - those of us who use other TOC's don't

You do if you use RSH, or Southern (and other TOCs) through TopCashBack

Sure you would have to redeem them on East Coast travel

Only if you want one of the free tickets. If you're just applying for an eVoucher you can use it to book a journey with any TOC (on the EC website obviously).

 

[calc7]

You do if you use RSH, or Southern (and other TOCs) through TopCashBack

Only if you want one of the free tickets. If you're just applying for an eVoucher you can use it to book a journey with any TOC (on the EC website obviously).

Though the eVouchers are terrible value. Under the "old" system, spend £1000 on FC or £1500 on SC tickets to get a free First Class return for two and a couple of lounge passes (ideal anniversary/birthday present) or redeem for just £10 off other trains.

 

[Bungle73]

Though the eVouchers are terrible value. Under the "old" system, spend £1000 on FC or £1500 on SC tickets to get a free First Class return for two and a couple of lounge passes (ideal anniversary/birthday present) or redeem for just £10 off other trains.

Indeed. That's why I've been using my points for Lounge access.

 

[dave87016]

I have reedemed my 900 points for a First class ticket - I havent booked it yet as the services for some of my dates are not availablet but have reedemed it if I dont book it before the First Class singles are introduced will I lose them or will the be done as 2 x First class singles?

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[calc7]

I have reedemed my 900 points for a First class ticket - I havent booked it yet as the services for some of my dates are not availablet but have reedemed it if I dont book it before the First Class singles are introduced will I lose them or will the be done as 2 x First class singles?

Thanks in advance for any help

You'll get 2 x FC singles which is technically better than a return as they can be booked for entirely different trips/origins/destinations/directions/passengers.

 

[Furrball]

Wow, it appears that East Coast have listened to feedback!

We emailed you last Friday regarding the proposed changes to the Rewards scheme which were due to be implemented later this week.

We have received feedback from some Rewards members about these changes and as a result we have amended our plans slightly.

In particular, we have reduced the proposed Points values for the new single tickets to ensure they are kept at the same level as the current return tickets. So, a single ticket will be reduced to 250 Points for Standard and 450 Points for First Class, instead of the proposed 300 and 500 Points.

Additionally, to replace the current 'Ticket for Two' option which is being removed, we will be introducing a discount for redemptions of four single tickets. This means you will be able to redeem four First Class single tickets for 1400 Points (same as the current First Class return for two) and four Standard single tickets for 900 Points (same as the current Standard return for two).

We anticipate that these changes will be in place within the next fortnight, along with the other improvements we mentioned in our earlier email, including splitting tickets into singles, the free ticket finder tool and the ability to Print@Home. If you also have unused return tickets in your account we will also be splitting these into singles at the point we implement these changes. We will email you again in advance of the changes to let you know when they will take place.

We do hope that these developments meet with your satisfaction and we look forward to hearing your feedback once you have had the opportunity to make use of them.

 

[Lee_Again]

Just received an email regarding East Coast Rewards.

I am digesting it all but basically due to feedback (complaints!!) the prices are changing to reflect the old prices.

So for 1st Class they are 450 each single (250 SC). And to reflect the return for two there will be a discount so that 4 FC singles = 1400 (SC=900).


Excellent. The best of both worlds. Perfect.

 

[calc7]

I just got this email, after I'd "cut and run" a single return for 900. The b******s!

 

[Lee_Again]

I just got this email, after I'd "cut and run" a single return for 900. The b******s!

They should convert to 2 singles quite soon.

Or was you saving for a 1st return for 2?

 

[SickyNicky]

4 first class singles for 1400 points is now very good value, I would say.

 

[calc7]

They should convert to 2 singles quite soon.

Or was you saving for a 1st return for 2?

Yes!!! See my earlier posts.

 

[Lee_Again]

4 first class singles for 1400 points is now very good value, I would say.

Excellent value.

In addition to being able to book different start and end points (I often go to Edinburgh and I prefer to catch the fast trains from King's Cross and return on the 16.30 to Stevenage) they can now be booked for a single person.

In other words, I get to use them twice where as before, as the name suggests, they were for two. A return is now effectively 700 (1400/2) and I can return to Stevenage; legitimately!!! Effectively 1 free tickets for every three and a half redemptions (900-1400/2=200 saving, 200*3.5=700=1 free ticket)

 

[calc7]

Excellent value.

In addition to being able to book different start and end points (I often go to Edinburgh and I prefer to catch the fast trains from King's Cross and return on the 16.30 to Stevenage) they can now be booked for a single person.

In other words, I get to use them twice where as before, as the name suggests, they were for two. A return is now effectively 700 (1400/2) and I can return to Stevenage; legitimately!!! Effectively 1 free tickets for every three and a half redemptions (900-1400/2=200 saving, 200*3.5=700=1 free ticket)

Beware, the Northbound Chieftain (1636 ex-EDB) has become a "Scone Express" as reported by Butts in the EC FC Service thread. I hope the 1630 hasn't suffered a similar fate - that's always been one of my favourite southbound departures.

 

[Butts]

Beware, the Northbound Chieftain (1636 ex-EDB) has become a "Scone Express" as reported by Butts in the EC FC Service thread. I hope the 1630 hasn't suffered a similar fate - that's always been one of my favourite southbound departures.

It's nice to see they have listened with regard to the redemption of "points make tickets" - if only the same maxim applied to Catering !!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Wow, it appears that East Coast have listened to feedback!

Is it just me that considers 500 points for a £10 Marks and Sparks Voucher is a bit tight.

As I currently have just over 1400 points this will convert into 4 First Class Singles - am I correct and there is no point in doing anything with regard to redemption before the changeover ?

 

[theblackwatch]

Anyone know what has gone on with East Coast implementation of this? I have just gone into my account with the intention of converting 250 points into a free SC single ticket, but in the 'Use Your Points' section, this doesn't seem to be an option - all it offers is 1 x Return Standard Ticket for 500 points, which is rather annoying as it is not what I want!

 

[shinkansen1966]

Anyone know what has gone on with East Coast implementation of this? I have just gone into my account with the intention of converting 250 points into a free SC single ticket, but in the 'Use Your Points' section, this doesn't seem to be an option - all it offers is 1 x Return Standard Ticket for 500 points, which is rather annoying as it is not what I want!

Yes, I am in a similar situation.

Currently sitting one reward return ticket which needs to redeemed before the end of February. Waiting for East Coast trains to convert into to 2 x single tickets which will be more useful.

 

[theblackwatch]

It would appear that East Coast's Rewards system has suffered a 'collapse'. I also noted yesterday that some points I had earnt from tickets purchased on November 29th had not been credited to my account. I e-mailed them and although I have yet to receive a reply (is it no wonder people use Twitter....), this has appeared on the Rewards page:

Due to a technical hitch if you have made any eligible bookings since 28th November 2012 your Points balance may not include these Points earned. Please be assured the Points are safely stored and will make it into your account as soon as we can implement the solution. We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. This may also delay processing evouchers redeemed since 28th November 2012.

 

[Bungle73]

Just got an email: all the changes are happening from tomorrow.

 

[Deerfold]

Just got an email: all the changes are happening from tomorrow.

And to clarify, this means you'll be able to claim a STD signle ticket for 250 points (4 for 900) or 1ST for 450 (4 for 1400).

The free ticket availability checker should also appear tomorrow.

 

[Butts]

And to clarify, this means you'll be able to claim a STD signle ticket for 250 points (4 for 900) or 1ST for 450 (4 for 1400).

The free ticket availability checker should also appear tomorrow.

It actually looks like a genuine improvement especially with the availability checker feature. I wonder if they will have a "special offer" on redemptions to kick start it.

 

[shinkansen1966]

I have redeemed my points for a standard return ticket. They must be used before the end of February.

Looking at the EC web site this morning, they have have *still* not converted my standard return ticket into 2 x single tickets.

What's going on ?

 

[island]

And to clarify, this means you'll be able to claim a STD signle ticket for 250 points (4 for 900) or 1ST for 450 (4 for 1400).

The free ticket availability checker should also appear tomorrow.

I thought they were increasing the price to 300 for standard?

 

[Deerfold]

I thought they were increasing the price to 300 for standard?

They were but they've "listened to feedback" and are not doing any more.

I have redeemed my points for a standard return ticket. They must be used before the end of February.

Looking at the EC web site this morning, they have have *still* not converted my standard return ticket into 2 x single tickets.

What's going on ?

They've said it would be happening today, not by today. If it's still not been done by the end of today then I'd contact them.

 

[shinkansen1966]

They've said it would be happening today, not by today. If it's still not been done by the end of today then I'd contact them.

Already contacted EC via Twitter. They said they're on the case.

 

[John @ home]

The changes now appear to have been implemented. My Reward of a "First Class Return ticket for 2" has been converted to "4 Rewards First Class Single tickets".

The new free ticket availability tool looks good. It tells me that for my chosen services for a weekend break in January there are these Rewards tickets available:

Outward
Standard 6
First 3

Return
Standard 0
First 9+