Railcard and off-peak valid at peak? (Virgin Trains)

[The Snap]

The title says it all, is an off-peak ticket with a railcard valid at peak times? I understood it did, but want clarification of possible.

Thanks

 

[dzug2]

As a generalisation - no, not true.

Virgin I think will sell railcard discounted tickets for travel at peak times. And there are a few easements with other operators for specific journeys

And outside London and the south east there may be no restrictions anyway

 

[yorkie]

The title says it all, is an off-peak ticket with a railcard valid at peak times? I understood it did, but want clarification of possible.

Thanks

The only Train Company who advertises that is Virgin Trains. It's not well documented at all, so most people only have the occasional announcements and word of mouth to go by, so may be surprised if any of their staff attempt to enforce one of the unadvertised 'exclusions'.

This is how it tends to be announced:
https://twitter.com/VirginTrains/status/441681497142362113

@badwolfbowties No it'll be fine. As you have a railcard you are able to use Off-Peak tickets during Peak hours. ^SB

One of the exclusions is that if part of your joruney is on another Train Company then it apparently doesn't apply but that's not a problem as long as......
https://twitter.com/VirginTrains/status/454594087187136512

@rrrachaelwells As long as you don't use on the other part of the journey, you're absolutely fine to travel in peak with us. ^FB

Other unadvertised exclusions exist, but these are not advertised, so I'd argue that they also don't apply, if you're just told that it's allowed. Even if they're in the small print, they may be deemed unfair terms (just because a small print term exists, doesn't mean it definitely applies, as trading standards confirmed)

 

[bb21]

Different types of Railcards have different terms. Which one are you looking at?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

The only Train Company who advertises that is Virgin Trains.....

It should be noted at this point that even this easement does not apply to all railcards.

 

[yorkie]

It should be noted at this point that even this easement does not apply to all railcards.

If you do some 'digging' that does become revealed occasionally in some 'small print' but that is not how it's advertised; see above for how it's advertised to customers simply as 'Railcards' allowing the use of off peak tickets.

Small print, hidden or unreasonable terms are not always enforceable (this could be an interesting case: Should have read the terms and conditions!) and I don't think Virgin Trains could be at all confident that a passenger who is told that "As you have a railcard you are able to use Off-Peak tickets during Peak hours" can then subsdequently and unexpectedly be charged an excess fare because they had the 'wrong type of Railcard'. I also think that Virgin Trains could not be at all confident of avoiding negative publicity in such a case too.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

If you do some 'digging' that does become revealed occasionally in some 'small print' but that is not how it's advertised; see above for how it's advertised to customers simply as 'Railcards' allowing the use of off peak tickets.

Small print, hidden or unreasonable terms are not always enforceable (this could be an interesting case: Should have read the terms and conditions!) and I don't think Virgin Trains could be at all confident that a passenger who is told that "As you have a railcard you are able to use Off-Peak tickets during Peak hours" can then subsdequently and unexpectedly be charged an excess fare because they had the 'wrong type of Railcard'. I also think that Virgin Trains could not be at all confident of avoiding negative publicity in such a case too.

I'm surprised you would think AN EASEMENT would be an unfair term or condition, however, if you feel the staff are giving out incorrect information you should report them to the relevant customer service department and request a timescale by which training will be completed. If you are not satisfied with their response you can take it to Passenger focus or further if need be. I'm sure that if enough people complain, we can rid the railway of all these unfair terms that seemingly litter our otherwise harmoneous tickting system. I'm sure Yorkie can proof read any letter or email for you......oh wait.....:roll:

 

[The Snap]

It was a Virgin service where I first came across this. I was supplied by work with an off-peak ticket to accompany my YP railcard for travel on the 07:00 Man Picc to Euston. When I queried it will the travel booker she confirmed it would be valid.

At least I know now that it isn't a blanket rule across all TOCs.

Thanks all.