Virgin Trains website now geo-blocked.

[djwk01]

I live in Portugal and travel to Britain about once a month by plane, but use rail while in the UK. On
trying to access my account and buy tickets on the Virgin website I got the following message:-
You don't have permission to access "http://www.buytickets.virgintrains.co.uk/DataPassedIn.aspx" on this server. Reference #18.6d4f655f.1536540687.958db7b. I did manage to contact live chat but they did not seem remotely interested and just told me to book by phone. Complaint form was treated with equal disdain. I can login using a UK proxy server but that is an unnecessary complication as other TOCs are quite happy to take my money, but it does leave me with a seating lottery. Are Virgin so profitable that they can afford to ignore overseas visitors these days?

 

[Intermodal]

This seems like it should be a mistake. I cannot for the life of me think of any reason why this should be the case (but do not dispute your evidence that it is). Is it possible you can try and escalate this through Virgin until you are able to get a satisfactory answer?

 

[Intermodal]

This also raises the larger issue that the UK-wide seat reservation system needs to be improved. If this happened then it would not be a concern that you are unable to access the VTWC website. Unfortunately, I do not see this happening any time soon.

 

[Bletchleyite]

This also raises the larger issue that the UK-wide seat reservation system needs to be improved. If this happened then it would not be a concern that you are unable to access the VTWC website. Unfortunately, I do not see this happening any time soon.

There really does need to be a seat selector standard accessible via "punch out" from all sites.

 

[djwk01]

Finally got a reply for Virgin, access to the site is restricted and it is no longer possible to use it to purchase tickets from outside the UK. Seems Brexit has started early and Portugal is a threat to cyber security!
A message has also appeared on the FAQ including:-
Why can’t I access the website, it is saying my region is blocked?
In order to make sure our customer’s data is kept secure, we may from time to time block regions from accessing the website.
How can I buy tickets if my region is blocked?
We would still love you to travel with us, just call the Virgin Trains ticket line on +44 3445 565 650**, or visit Trainline to buy your tickets.
* Calls are charged at standard BT rates, other operators may vary
I am not phoning to a call centre from Portugal, it would probably cost more than a first class ticket from London to Glasgow. Secondly, is it ethical to only offer Trainline when any other TOC can sell the ticket, without a service charge?

 

[Wallsendmag]

Finally got a reply for Virgin, access to the site is restricted and it is no longer possible to use it to purchase tickets from outside the UK. Seems Brexit has started early and Portugal is a threat to cyber security!
A message has also appeared on the FAQ including:-
Why can’t I access the website, it is saying my region is blocked?
In order to make sure our customer’s data is kept secure, we may from time to time block regions from accessing the website.
How can I buy tickets if my region is blocked?
We would still love you to travel with us, just call the Virgin Trains ticket line on +44 3445 565 650**, or visit Trainline to buy your tickets.
* Calls are charged at standard BT rates, other operators may vary
I am not phoning to a call centre from Portugal, it would probably cost more than a first class ticket from London to Glasgow. Secondly, is it ethical to only offer Trainline when any other TOC can sell the ticket, without a service charge?

You've obviously missed the point that West Coast's web platform is provided by Trainline.

 

[Deafdoggie]

Seems Brexit has started early and Portugal is a threat to cyber security!

Can vary, we have never accepted non-UK cards for payment online. The banks deem it a security and fraud risk, so charge more. To keep costs down, we simply don't take them, Virgin may simply have the same issue and decided to save costs, rather than charge more for the few overseas cards they get.

 

[The_Train]

I am currently getting a 'Your Connection Is Not Private' message when I try to visit www.virgintrains.co.uk. Is there something wrong with their security certificate or is it just me?

Edit: issue solved - was an issue with my browser

 

[A Challenge]

I am currently getting a 'Your Connection Is Not Private' message when I try to visit www.virgintrains.co.uk. Is there something wrong with their security certificate or is it just me?

'Im not getting that (sample of one though)

 

[The_Train]

'Im not getting that (sample of one though)

I've solved the issue. My browser on my phone was out of date which must have been affecting the Virgin Trains safety certificate

 

[1e10]

Recently encountered this issue whilst out in Romania. I tethered to my UK mobile which resolved the issue, as roaming telcos backhaul traffic back to their home country.

You've obviously missed the point that West Coast's web platform is provided by Trainline.

CrossCountry also use Trainline to power their booking engine and I didn’t encounter any blocks using their site whilst in Romania.

 

[Deafdoggie]

You've obviously missed the point that West Coast's web platform is provided by Trainline.

The payment is different though. It’s Virgin not trainline. Therein lies the reason.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Recently encountered this issue whilst out in Romania. I tethered to my UK mobile which resolved the issue, as roaming telcos backhaul traffic back to their home country.



CrossCountry also use Trainline to power their booking engine and I didn’t encounter any blocks using their site whilst in Romania.

The payment is different though. It’s Virgin not trainline. Therein lies the reason.

You've missed my point, the reason why Virgin are saying use Trainline and not LNER or SWR or GWR is because trainline supply their site.

 

[djwk01]

Can vary, we have never accepted non-UK cards for payment online. The banks deem it a security and fraud risk, so charge more. To keep costs down, we simply don't take them, Virgin may simply have the same issue and decided to save costs, rather than charge more for the few overseas cards they get.

I use a UK debit card for sterling purchases online, but that is irrelevant as I cannot access the site login.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I've just tried purchasing a ticket with the VTWC website, using one of my company's US VPNs and get the same problem

 

[Puffing Devil]

I use a UK debit card for sterling purchases online, but that is irrelevant as I cannot access the site login.

As an aside, you should avoid using your debit card online (unless it's a pre-pay one) in case your details are compromised.

Should you suffer a loss, you have to chase the bank for your money, as opposed to the credit card firm chasing you. There is also additional protection from the Consumer Credit Act.

 

[PeterC]

Recently encountered this issue whilst out in Romania. I tethered to my UK mobile which resolved the issue, as roaming telcos backhaul traffic back to their home country.



CrossCountry also use Trainline to power their booking engine and I didn’t encounter any blocks using their site whilst in Romania.

I am not suprprisd about Romania getting blocked, as a "bad neighbourhood" I put it second equal with Ukraine after Russia. (Based on attempts at email form spam on my own website)

Many service providers will apply temporary blocks in the event of a spamming incident or other cyber attack.

 

[paddington]

As an aside, you should avoid using your debit card online (unless it's a pre-pay one) in case your details are compromised.

Should you suffer a loss, you have to chase the bank for your money, as opposed to the credit card firm chasing you. There is also additional protection from the Consumer Credit Act.

And if you don't have a credit card? The OP states they live in Portugal, so presumably they had a UK account with debit card from when they lived in the UK, but may not have a UK credit card.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

And if you don't have a credit card? The OP states they live in Portugal, so presumably they had a UK account with debit card from when they lived in the UK, but may not have a UK credit card.

Well, if you don't have a credit card you don't have much in the way of choice. But if you have the choice you should definitely use a credit card (of course repaying it in full when the statement comes, to avoid paying interest).

 

[bradders1983]

Finally got
a reply for Virgin, access to the site is restricted and it is no longer possible to use it to purchase tickets from outside the UK. Seems Brexit has started early and Portugal is a threat to cyber security!
A message has also appeared on the FAQ including:-
Why can’t I access the website, it is saying my region is blocked?
In order to make sure our customer’s data is kept secure, we may from time to time block regions from accessing the website.
How can I buy tickets if my region is blocked?
We would still love you to travel with us, just call the Virgin Trains ticket line on +44 3445 565 650**, or visit Trainline to buy your tickets.
* Calls are charged at standard BT rates, other operators may vary
I am not phoning to a call centre from Portugal, it would probably cost more than a first class ticket from London to Glasgow. Secondly, is it ethical to only offer Trainline when any other TOC can sell the ticket, without a service charge?

Why not? It is an 03 number, assuming you have a decent enough mobile package the call is included within your minutes.

EDIT - ah, I see you live in Portugal. Thought you were just visiting. Sorry.

 

[Puffing Devil]

And if you don't have a credit card? The OP states they live in Portugal, so presumably they had a UK account with debit card from when they lived in the UK, but may not have a UK credit card.

Well, if you don't have a credit card you don't have much in the way of choice. But if you have the choice you should definitely use a credit card (of course repaying it in full when the statement comes, to avoid paying interest).

Plenty of pre-pay options to insulate yourself from the web: http://www.myoptimumcard.co.uk/, Revolut or Monzo. You can get a free virtual card with Revolut, which is fine for loading for internet purchases.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Plenty of pre-pay options to insulate yourself from the web: http://www.myoptimumcard.co.uk/, Revolut or Monzo. You can get a free virtual card with Revolut, which is fine for loading for internet purchases.

It won't give you the statutory protection a credit card does, but it's better than nothing.

 

[Puffing Devil]

It won't give you the statutory protection a credit card does, but it's better than nothing.

Which is why I said use a credit card in the first place!!

 

[iainbhx]

Just tried it from Bamberg, Germany and it let me log into my account.