Special Offers Discussion

[800Travel]

For those of us not all that familiar with Virgin Trains Ticketing, how much will this be worth?

(Yes, I know it will be twice the normal offer - but what's the normal offer worth?)

Spoiler: Calculations

You normally earn 3 virgin red points per pound spent, and 2 points is equivalent to 1p. 6 VR points for 2 pounds spent, 6 points = 3p. Therefore every 2 pounds you spend, you get 3p back.

The current offer is you earn 6 virgin red points per pound spent, and 2 points is still equivalent to 1p. Therefore for every 2 pounds you spend, you get 6p back.

As a %, the current offer is 3% cashback in points. The normal one is 1.5%.

 

[Adsy125]

For those of us not all that familiar with Virgin Trains Ticketing, how much will this be worth?

(Yes, I know it will be twice the normal offer - but what's the normal offer worth?)

As well as the other valuation for using them on train tickets, they can be worth significantly more if you redeem on flights. £30 + 4500 points will get you a single flight (hold baggage included) from a range of UK airports to Paris or Amsterdam. Given this is with KLM / Air France the value can easily be over 2p/point.

 

[mikeg]

For those of us not all that familiar with Virgin Trains Ticketing, how much will this be worth?

(Yes, I know it will be twice the normal offer - but what's the normal offer worth?)

I'm not awfully sure, by all accounts not a lot. It's 6 Virgin Red Points per £1 spent rather than 3. They seem to vary ever so slightly in value depending on what you spend them. I usually look for other offers or use the ticket office unless I need to book in advance. I've collected 1153 Virgin Points, which if spent on train tickets equates to just under six quid so presumably ha'penny per point? So effectively 3% back instead of 1.5%. Nowt flash, but I guess it could add up over time. Of course assuming LNER perks still allows adding e-tickets bought elsewhere there could be some opportunity for 'double dipping'.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Nov 2024 ==

As well as the other valuation for using them on train tickets, they can be worth significantly more if you redeem on flights. £30 + 4500 points will get you a single flight (hold baggage included) from a range of UK airports to Paris or Amsterdam. Given this is with KLM / Air France the value can easily be over 2p/point.

What I was originally saving them up for before I gave up on the thought. I simply don't use the train often enough any more, or if I do there's often a better offer. Still I did book a localish advance for £3.60 when a bus was cancelled using VTT, so I could save my 'once per card' LNER and Avanti offers for later.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I'm not awfully sure, by all accounts not a lot. It's 6 Virgin Red Points per £1 spent rather than 3. They seem to vary ever so slightly in value depending on what you spend them. I usually look for other offers or use the ticket office unless I need to book in advance. I've collected 1153 Virgin Points, which if spent on train tickets equates to just under six quid so presumably ha'penny per point? So effectively 3% back instead of 1.5%. Nowt flash, but I guess it could add up over time. Of course assuming LNER perks still allows adding e-tickets bought elsewhere there could be some opportunity for 'double dipping'.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Nov 2024 ==


What I was originally saving them up for before I gave up on the thought. I simply don't use the train often enough any more, or if I do there's often a better offer. Still I did book a localish advance for £3.60 when a bus was cancelled using VTT, so I could save my 'once per card' LNER and Avanti offers for later.

I now notice that Natwest and Barclaycard Rewards are offering me 8% cashback for a first use of Virgin Trains Ticketing. Stacked with the 3% in Red Points, this comes to a fairly appealing 11%, which is more than the 10% from Uber - assuming that you can use the resulting benefits, and don't have access to the 12% via AmEx.

 

[Dewedin]

LNER 10% cashback has appeared from me on Halifax & Lloyds. Expires 10/12
Max £30 cashback, single transaction only

 

[MrJeeves]

An Interrail promo has started and lasts until 23:59 on 16 Dec.

25% off almost every pass, bar some One Country passes for the Scandic countries, Switzerland and Germany.

Live on RDG's My Interrail (https://www.myinterrail.co.uk/interrail-pass-sale/) but not yet showing on Interrail.eu.

Unlike other sales, there's no special limit for activation or for travel dates. Just the normal activate within 11 months from purchase.

 

[Rail Ranger]

£2 advance fares on Northern to Harrogate and Skipton for the Christmas markets from selected stations on selected dates: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/d...outmorecta&utm_term=jn0451christmasticketdrop

 

[Mark J]

Just have a couple of questions regarding Uber.

I've just downloaded the app and signed in using my Google Profile option.

Do I have to do anything more to get the 10% cashback credit (such as creating another account for the Uber credits).

I see on the App, bonus points are rewarded until 31st December. Is it likely that the offer will be extended yet again.

I've also done a journey search on a route I know offers 'evening out' and 'Sunday Out' tickets. These aren't listed in the range of ticket options. So even with 10% cashback, the fare is more expensive.

Is there also a minimum spend for the 10% cashback? If I select a ticket over £10, it shows how many Uber credits can be earned. For tickets under £10, this does not show.

 

[wellhouse]

Anyone know how Uber can afford to offer 10% cashback on train tickets for over 2 years now? It’s a crying shame the rail industry itself can’t be bothered or is unable to offer something to passengers given all
The price rises…even perhaps for making the transition to plastic smart card they could at least offer a discounted fare as do the bus companies. I remember the days when Southern were offering 50% off tickets and I could get to Brighton for a fiver !

I wonder whether they are collating users' overall travel habits with a view to eventually suggesting end to end cab journeys cutting out the train?

 

[embers25]

Long may the Uber 10% continue..hopefully beyond the end of December. I certainly wouldn't use Uber without the cashback but will happily deal with it's issues for 10%.

 

[Edvid]

Do I have to do anything more to get the 10% cashback credit (such as creating another account for the Uber credits).

No, though you have to allow up to 60 days after journey completion for the credit to arrive.

I see on the App, bonus points are rewarded until 31st December. Is it likely that the offer will be extended yet again.

Not a given by any means, but I think it will be.

I've also done a journey search on a route I know offers 'evening out' and 'Sunday Out' tickets. These aren't listed in the range of ticket options. So even with 10% cashback, the fare is more expensive.

The Assertis-powered Omio booking system (Uber is a white-label client) has form for missing certain ticket types on a semi-regular basis, unfortunately.

Is there also a minimum spend for the 10% cashback? If I select a ticket over £10, it shows how many Uber credits can be earned. For tickets under £10, this does not show.

There is no minimum spend in the T&Cs and I was credited for a sub-7 pound journey last month.

 

[Mark J]

No, though you have to allow up to 60 days after journey completion for the credit to arrive.

Not a given by any means, but I think it will be.

The Assertis-powered Omio booking system (Uber is a white-label client) has form for missing certain ticket types on a semi-regular basis, unfortunately.

There is no minimum spend in the T&Cs and I was credited for a sub-7 pound journey last month.

Thanks for the responses.

So it appears Uber is only beneficial for standard off peak tickets, and selected super off peak ones. Any SWR 'Evening' and 'Sunday Out' tickets don't appear to show. However, Greater Anglia weekend super off peaks are listed.

I queried the Uber credits, as if I query a fare over £10, I see a green box telling me how many credits are earned. When I do a query for a ticket below £10, this green box does not appear. Which made me think a £10 minimum spend was in place.

Their 'split tickets' functionality seems to be a bit hit and miss too. If I do a search for Reading to Bristol, no split tickets can be found. When I know full well a split at Didcot saves a good amount. Obviously these can be booked separately, however is added hassle.

One last question. Do e-tickets show in the app, or are these delivered to e-mail?

 

[Edvid]

One last question. Do e-tickets show in the app, or are these delivered to e-mail?

Yes, and yes. You can download them to Google/Apple Wallet as well.*

[* Oops, confused them with Luton DART tickets for some reason.]

 

[Mark J]

For those that dare to use the dreaded Trainpal, there is 4% off 'all rails' on 30th November.

They also are currently doing London Liverpool Street to Cambridge for £6, however no return fares for same price. Resulting in a more expensive pensive journey than if bought usually, with a Railcard.

 

[winks]

Thanks for the responses.

So it appears Uber is only beneficial for standard off peak tickets, and selected super off peak ones. Any SWR 'Evening' and 'Sunday Out' tickets don't appear to show. However, Greater Anglia weekend super off peaks are listed.

One last question. Do e-tickets show in the app, or are these delivered to e-mail?

“Evening Out” tickets - returns and day travelcards into London - do appear but only on the day of departure. I tried booking the day before travel and they didn’t show up in the Uber App for some reason. But they definately are available as I book them all the time. Plus - agree - long may the 10% cashback continue I probably wouldn’t use the app much otherwise.

 

[Mark J]

“Evening Out” tickets - returns and day travelcards into London - do appear but only on the day of departure. I tried booking the day before travel and they didn’t show up in the Uber App for some reason. But they definately are available as I book them all the time. Plus - agree - long may the 10% cashback continue I probably wouldn’t use the app much otherwise.

Thanks for the heads up on that.

Seems a bit silly why the evening and Sunday out are not available prior to the day of travel.

Am I also correct in assuming that LNER only offer a 2%, unless paired with a credit card that offers cashback.

 

[infobleep]

I have a Network Rail Card that expires next July. If i could get one for £15 this week, is it worth it or would the overlap be too great?

I'm aware they are going up in price from March I believe.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I have a Network Rail Card that expires next July. If i could get one for £15 this week, is it worth it or would the overlap be too great?

I'm aware they are going up in price from March I believe.

Assuming you buy it valid from 1 December (just to make the sums easy) then it will expire 30 November next year. Assuming your current card expires 1 July (the most favourable case for my sums here) that means you get essentially 5 months extra validity for your £15 - so £3 per month of extra validity

A quick google suggests that railcards are going up to £35. If that's the case and you renew at that rate you will get 12 months of use for £35 i.e. £2.92 per month.

For your particular case, it's not worth it. For someone whose railcard expires on (say) 1 June, it might be worth it (£15/6 months extra validity = £2.50 per month).

 

[Mark J]

Surely if Railcards are available at various times for less than the usual £30, this will still be true when the price increases to £35.

Don't forget that Delay Repay travel vouchers can be used towards Railcards. I paid just 4p recently, for another Railcard.

 

[_toommm_]

£5 off Railcards through Trainsplit:

TrainSplit Railcards

rail.cards

 

[embers25]

£5 off Railcards through Trainsplit:

TrainSplit Railcards

rail.cards

Do your railcards display offline or do they suffer from the same issue Trainpal/trip do where no internet means no railcard display?

 

[185143]

Surely if Railcards are available at various times for less than the usual £30, this will still be true when the price increases to £35.

Don't forget that Delay Repay travel vouchers can be used towards Railcards. I paid just 4p recently, for another Railcard.

Can they? That's good to know.

And well done btw!

 

[Mike395]

Do your railcards display offline or do they suffer from the same issue Trainpal/trip do where no internet means no railcard display?

They will display offline just fine once initially downloaded! (As will any app that actually complies fully with the Railcards spec)

 

[Haywain]

Do your railcards display offline or do they suffer from the same issue Trainpal/trip do where no internet means no railcard display?

They display offline.

 

[infobleep]

Assuming you buy it valid from 1 December (just to make the sums easy) then it will expire 30 November next year. Assuming your current card expires 1 July (the most favourable case for my sums here) that means you get essentially 5 months extra validity for your £15 - so £3 per month of extra validity

A quick google suggests that railcards are going up to £35. If that's the case and you renew at that rate you will get 12 months of use for £35 i.e. £2.92 per month.

For your particular case, it's not worth it. For someone whose railcard expires on (say) 1 June, it might be worth it (£15/6 months extra validity = £2.50 per month).

Thanks. I thought that mjght be the case.

Hopefully when I do need to renew, I won't be in a period with low or no promotional rail card offers.

This year all I saved was £5.

 

[Mark J]

Although Uber offer 10% cashback on fares, there are quite a few flaws on their app.

1) Yes, Evening and Sunday out fares can be available. However, it is highly unpredictable as to what routes those tickets will show for.

This morning I looked for tickets from my local station (Earley) to London Waterloo, no Sunday Out tickets were available on the app. The cheapest option was an off peak ticket. (£12.55 Sunday Vs £15.95 off peak).

2) Does not seem to offer travelcard unless you specify a station beyond where you are going.

Today, in addition to above (point1) no travelcard options were available. When I specified another London Station beyond Waterloo, the Travelcard options became available. Although at off peak prices, rather than the Sunday out price.

3) Does not seem to have advance fares.

4) No options for via, avoid, etc.

Whilst the app is good for point to point journeys, for which you know an off peak fare is the cheapest. It is poor at providing super off peaks and other TOC discounted tickets, or if your journey is a bit more complicated.

If they wish to become a serious player in train ticket sales, they need to address some basic flaws.

Like others have said, their main attraction is the 10% cashback. If it wasn't for that, doubt I'll bother with using Uber.

I'll likely use the forum ticket system for the next GBR rail sale.

 

[PG]

I'll likely use the forum ticket system for the next GBR rail sale.

Do we know if this government are going to continue with the GBR rail sale?

 

[richardderby]

Do we know if this government are going to continue with the GBR rail sale?

should be, as announced on GOV.UK, even this Government will probably continue with it..
'quote'
That starts early next year, with a new ‘rail sale’ to coincide with the 200-year anniversary of the first passenger service.

It will offer up to half price Advance and Off-peak fares – to get Britain moving, to connect our communities and to give back to passengers, who for too long have paid more and more for less and less.

Future of Great British Railways

Secretary of State for Transport outlines next steps for rail reform in Britain during the Derby rail skills event.

www.gov.uk

 

[Mark J]

Can they? That's good to know.

And well done btw!

Yes.

I did enquire before I went ahead with purchasing a new Railcard with Delay Repay travel vouchers.

I always assumed that Delay Repay vouchers were in effect returned cash to be spent on any rail related purchase from a TOC. Although you don't get change.

I was lucky to have the right number to leave me 4p off the total.

If you do pay with Delay Repay travel vouchers, be sure to date them and write 'Railcard Purchase' on the back of each one.

Otherwise, you'll be made to do this at the ticket office window.

 

[Deerfold]

Yes.

I did enquire before I went ahead with purchasing a new Railcard with Delay Repay travel vouchers.

I always assumed that Delay Repay vouchers were in effect returned cash to be spent on any rail related purchase from a TOC. Although you don't get change.

I was lucky to have the right number to leave me 4p off the total.

If you do pay with Delay Repay travel vouchers, be sure to date them and write 'Railcard Purchase' on the back of each one.

Otherwise, you'll be made to do this at the ticket office window.

Is there a reason you get Delay Repay vouchers instead of cash?