Latest view on 'Ticket Expiry Date' for Tickets Valid for One Month?

[Gerald Fiennes]

This seems to have been last considered on this Forum in 2011, but what is the current position on the 'Ticket Expiry Date' for Off Peak Return tickets for which the return half can be used at any point in the following month?

For the purposes of refunds, does the 28 day period within which refunds are considered begin on the date of issue of the ticket (ie. at the start of the month), meaning that refunds have to be made within the validity of the return of the half but are no longer possible the moment the ticket ceases to have validity for travel or only on that latter datre ? The wording in NRCOT seems (as per the past) a little imprecise:

"You must do this [ie seek a refund] no more than 28 days after the expiry of the Ticket(s) unless the terms and conditions of your Ticket state otherwise." since they are not very clear on how the 'Ticket Expiry Date' is interpreted for Off Peak Return tickets.

[For the situation that has arisen, the return fare is not £1 more than the single fare as is often the case on much of the network, so there is potentially some refund value available.]

 

[Watershed]

I can't see any sensible interpretation other than that the 28 day period runs from the last date of validity. The ticket doesn't expire until then so by the wording of the NRCoT, that is the deadline.

 

[Haywain]

I have never heard of it being interpreted as anything other than 28 days after the *last* day of the ticket's validity, and there would be little sense in any other interpretation.

[For the situation that has arisen, the return fare is not £1 more than the single fare as is often the case on much of the network, so there is potentially some refund value available.]

Is the difference greater than £10? That amount is likely to be deducted as an administration fee.

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

Yes, after the admin fee there will still be an amount due. Is there any definitive interpretation of what this rule means before I take it up further with the ticketing provider in question?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, after the admin fee there will still be an amount due. Is there any definitive interpretation of what this rule means before I take it up further with the ticketing provider in question?

I can't see any ambiguity whatsoever on this. The only sensible interpretation is that the ticket expiry date is the last day of validity, as is printed on it. Unless you're getting into the technicality of whether it should actually be one day later due to the 0429 extension or overnight breaks on Off Peak Singles, but I don't think you are?

There is no possible sensible interpretation of it being the first day of validity rather than the last.

 

[Wallsendmag]

The expiry date is obvious, 28 days from that date is easy enough to work out

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

So, the provider is declining the claim apparently on the basis that 'the terms and conditions state that' any refund must be made within 28 days of outward travel even though the return portion is valid for one month.

Assuming that no resolution is possible with the provider and I can get a deadlock confrimation, is the Ombudsman the next port of call (I appreciate their capability is sometimes doubted by Forum members)?

 

[Wallsendmag]

So, the provider is declining the claim apparently on the basis that 'the terms and conditions state that' any refund must be made within 28 days of outward travel even though the return portion is valid for one month.

Assuming that no resolution is possible with the provider and I can get a deadlock confrimation, is the Ombudsman the next port of call (I appreciate their capability is sometimes doubted by Forum members)?

Have you used the return half?

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

No, it is unused. This is an orange ticket booking, and the return half was returned to the provider in late summer last year! It has taken this long to get this far.