Purchasing London Travelcards on Trainline powered websites

[gordonthemoron]

I tried to purchase a Milton Keynes to London All Zones 1 day travelcard for tomorrow using Virgintrains West Coast website, however it won't show me the price using a Euston destination and gives me an error for London All Zones and London Zone U1256. Eventually I gave up an used Virgin East Coast which uses webtis and will show those tickets.

Any idea how to get trainline powered sites to sell travelcards?

 

[greatkingrat]

The Trainline itself will offer a Travelcard as an option if you search for MKC - Euston. It is just the VT site that doesn't, presumably as part of its strategy to con people into buying two singles that are much more expensive.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I don't use the trainline website as it charges fees. Seems daft that VTWC website won't sell VIRGIN TRAINS ONLY travelcards

 

[Hadders]

Use the destination 'London Underground Zones 1-6' and the fares will show.

It's a ridiculously named destination, it should be 'London Zones 1-6' as it is on the far superior webtis sites.

I guess this is what the future will look like once VTEC switches over...

 

[bicbasher]

I don't use the trainline website as it charges fees. Seems daft that VTWC website won't sell VIRGIN TRAINS ONLY travelcards

Some TOC's such as SWT and Virgin West Coast use thetrainline web template for ticket sales and don't charge a fee.

 

[gray1404]

The Trainline itself will offer a Travelcard as an option if you search for MKC - Euston. It is just the VT site that doesn't, presumably as part of its strategy to con people into buying two singles that are much more expensive.

What is Virgin's strategy to make people buy 2 more expensive single tickets?

 

[IanD]

What is Virgin's strategy to make people buy 2 more expensive single tickets?

They only show single fares on the front screen. The cheaper return fares are displayed on a second screen which can be found by following a link in this bit of text:

"The results above show single ticket prices, based on the fastest available journey, to offer more flexibility to our customers. If you are making a return journey, there may be a cheaper fare available, particularly if you are travelling with a train operator other than Virgin Trains. Please click here to check if these are available for your journey."

Of course for an off peak ticket from Milton Keynes to London the cheapest fare IS offered by Virgin trains and is only £1 more than the single they show on the first screen and offers just as much flexibility as 2 off peak VT only singles.

Which reminds me that I need to emails Virgin about this to receive my usual vouchers instead of a proper response