Should I have got the discount?

[scoobydoolondo]

I bought a monthly season ticket renewal from First Great Western and this month I was entitled to a 5% discount under the Passenger Charter Discount rules. so far so good.

Last month I bought a standard 1 month season ticket, my renewal today I decided for 1 month 8 days, since I'm off work over the Easter period.

The guy said I would NOT be able to claim my 5% discount as my renewal ticket didn't exactly match the previous months ticket (1 month vs 1 month 8 days).

Should I have been given the 5% discount?

I've read the FGW charter but its not clear - has anyone come across this before?

thanks

 

[Greenback]

When I worked for FGW in Reading we were told that the renewal had to be the same validity as the old ticket, but that was quite a few years ago now!

I doubt the instruction will have changed, as in theory someone could otherwise get 5% of an annual ticket when the discount is meant to be compensation for a poor performance over the period of the original season ticket.

 

[Flying Snail]

Would a 1 month season with 5% discount + 8 day season have been cheaper?

 

[scoobydoolondo]

No, that would've worked out more.

What the guy said was that it had to match the last ticket. So it my last ticket was 1 month 22 days then this should also be the same.

It doesn't sound right to me but surely I should have at least got the 5% off the month price.

Has anyone else experienced this before?

Would a 1 month season with 5% discount + 8 day season have been cheaper?

 

[CliveJones]

Should I have been given the 5% discount?

When my TOC still had that discount it was a rule that the tickets must match exactly, must be consecutive (or I think, within one month of the old one or something - its been a while) and even had to be sold at the same location.


So....no I don't think so, sorry. Although I never encountered the exact situation you are describing.

 

[Greenback]

I don't remember the sold at the same station rule, but it had to be for the same duration, and between the same stations as the expired ticket. And there couldn't be a gap of more than 28 days, IIRC

 

[CliveJones]

I don't remember the sold at the same station rule, but it had to be for the same duration, and between the same stations as the expired ticket. And there couldn't be a gap of more than 28 days, IIRC

Central trains had that rule because the season tickets were zonal and each line could have a different discount. It was to stop people shopping around for discounts when their regular commuter line was unaffected by disruption.

 

[Greenback]

I see! Obviously, that scenario didn't apply at Reading!

 

[barrykas]

From our old friend, "The Manual":

To qualify for discount, the following conditions apply:

• Discounts apply to renewal Season Tickets/Travelcards of one month or longer;
• Renewal must occur within 28 days of expiry of the previous Season Ticket/Travelcard;
• The renewed ticket must be for the 'same or similar' journey (i.e. it must have the same or similar starting station, route and destination as for the previous ticket). Guidance will be given by the Train Company Customer Service Managers, in cases of difficulty;
• The renewed ticket must be for the same period or less as the original season ticket.
• If a customer submits a part-used Season Ticket/Travelcard for refund, before buying a new ticket for the same journey, the new ticket does not qualify for discount.
• When applying Passenger’s Charter discounts to Season Ticket renewals the amount should be rounded to the next 5p down (e.g. £212.04 is sold at £212.00)

Cheers,

Barry

 

[Greenback]

Ah, it appears my memory was quite good on this occasion!