Mandatory Reservations - Avanti West Coast

[becky_rtw]

I'm planning a trip AFS to LAN return on two different Saturdays in Sept. I can also go to Feltham easily if it makes the journey quicker by picking up a faster train to Vauxhall.

I often arrive at Euston for similar journeys and find I have saved enough time to get an earlier train (or combination of trains). Its a long journey so if I can make a tight connection that isnt timetabled to save time I will do so.

Avanti are currently showing recommended reservations on their homepage and on National Rail but upon trying to book an off peak return I am coming up against a mandatory reservation. I dont want to reserve because which train I catch will depend on the other train combination and tube connection. To change a reservation requires 5 minutes notice apparently, but of course requires web or an app and I'll be on the tube.

Any ideas? I want a flexible ticket, happy to pay more for it, but the only one offered on Saturdays is the off peak.

Additionally, I like to book via SWT/SWR (or whatever they are called these days ) as I have an account with them, but the off peak return ticket is showing as not available there, even though its available on Avanti's website and National Rail.

 

[Andy Pacer]

If it helps, I've had no issues using Avanti without a specific reservation recently (on rovers or flexible tickets) but haven't had to book one (as such) so haven't encountered the reservation issue.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I haven't had reservations checked by Avanti ticketline staff at all recently, and frequently there's no ticketline either. I'd book a set for the later train and get on the earlier one if you're in time. All seats on Avanti services are now usable

 

[Andy Pacer]

All seats on Avanti services are now usable

Does this include those that were previously out of use near the shop in coach C on a Pendolino?

 

[gordonthemoron]

Does this include those that were previously out of use near the shop in coach C on a Pendolino?

Prior to freedom day, about half the seats on an Avanti Pendolino were unusable, now all are usable and all are reservable apart from the unreserved coach(es)

 

[becky_rtw]

Perfect thanks everyone

If anyone has any knowledge about the ticket booking on Southwestern railway I'd be keen to know out of interest why that has happened - appreciate its unlikely to be fixed.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Prior to freedom day, about half the seats on an Avanti Pendolino were unusable, now all are usable and all are reservable apart from the unreserved coach(es)

Quite, I was questioning whether the previously taped off seats near the shop / TM office are now also 'usable' ?

 

[trainophile]

To avoid others having to do what I just did and refer to the National Rail Enquiries site, AFS is Ashford Surrey and LAN is Lancaster (I knew that one but not AFS).

 

[Bletchleyite]

As reservations are not in fact compulsory (whatever the data says) the OP might as well just buy the Off Peak Return from a TVM on arrival at Euston.

 

[becky_rtw]

Quick update on this the mandatory reservations is the reason you cant buy that ticket on the South Western Railway website (they have added a note about it now if you select open return).

Bought at a ticket machine last night no reservation required.

 

[Class800]

There is something odd in the data still about this. As in buying an off peak return Plumstead to Birmingham stations the online form only offered LNWR trains. But as Avanti website says recommended not mandatory, I anticipate I will be OK. Happy to use the LNWR if it's too busy