LNER App forces etickets for Cross-London Transfer

[maniacmartin]

Hi all,

I've noticed for a while now that the LNER app will only offer the e-ticket fulfillment method if the itinerary does not include a cross-London transfer, even if the ticket is flexible and has a maltese cross. The obvious example is a journey such as East Croydon to Cambridge (brfares) where you select a direct Thameslink service.

How can this be allowed? With a traditional paper ticket you could change your mind and travel on any of the ticket's permitted routes if its not an AP, but an eticket isn't going to work with LU if you decide to go a different route. Note that unlike their website, the LNER app forces you to choose an itinerary.

 

[Watershed]

If eTicket fulfilment is enabled in RCS for the ticket type and flow in question, then they are doing nothing wrong by offering eTickets.

I would suggest the problem centres more around TOCs enabling cross-London journeys for eTicket fulfilment when this is liable to cause issues for passengers.

 

[maniacmartin]

One would have hoped that it wouldn't even be possible for a fare with a maltese cross to be enabled in RCS for eTickets. What's annoying about the LNER app specifically, is that if it is possible to sell as an eTicket, it then forces you to get an eTicket.

 

[Watershed]

One would have hoped that it wouldn't even be possible for a fare with a maltese cross to be enabled in RCS for eTickets.

Unfortunately there would appear to be no such cross checking.

What's annoying about the LNER app specifically, is that if it is possible to sell as an eTicket, it then forces you to get an eTicket.

You can get around that if you use the LNER website.

 

[Edvid]

GTR did indeed enable cross-London eTickets in RCS, ostensibly for direct Thameslink journeys (see previous post). I'd be surprised if other TOCs follow suit.

You can get around that if you use the LNER website.

Selecting "mix and match tickets" in the app (after you've selected your initial itinerary) will take you to the website journey planner as well.

 

[embers25]

Where is the "mix and match" hidden, as I've never seen it?

 

[Edvid]

Where is the "mix and match" hidden, as I've never seen it?

You have to select your outward & return journeys beforehand, then it appears on the choose tickets page.

 

[Wallsendmag]

LNER only do what the flow owing TOC has allowed, those are the rules.

 

[Bletchleyite]

One would have hoped that it wouldn't even be possible for a fare with a maltese cross to be enabled in RCS for eTickets. What's annoying about the LNER app specifically, is that if it is possible to sell as an eTicket, it then forces you to get an eTicket.

The forcing thing I agree with (one should be able to choose one's preferred fulfilment method), but this seems a reason for me to buy with the LNER app. I often walk between London termini or go by bus (particularly Euston-Waterloo which is much nicer by bus than Tube with luggage, plus you get to enjoy the best view in London as you cross Waterloo Bridge) and dislike having to split to ensure I get an e-ticket instead of an archaic paper ticket I have to faff about collecting.

There are if I recall rightly similar examples involving Thameslink.

Presumably Trainline just does its own thing here and doesn't sell any ticket with the + on e-ticket?

 

[MrJeeves]

Presumably Trainline just does its own thing here and doesn't sell any ticket with the + on e-ticket?

It does in some cases! It then hides the + from the E-Ticket to prevent any attempt to use it at a tube gateline...

See the below ticket, which is https://www.brfares.com/!faredetail?orig=SND&dest=GTW&rte=820&ldn=1&tkt=W2O, which does have a maltese cross.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Why would that ticket need a maltese cross?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Why would that ticket need a maltese cross?

Because that's what the route code contains (820 is +GWR ONLY). Trainline shouldn't be unilaterally fiddling with it.

It's irrelevant to that specific booked journey, of course, but that's by the by.

 

[Haywain]

The forcing thing I agree with (one should be able to choose one's preferred fulfilment method), but this seems a reason for me to buy with the LNER app. I often walk between London termini or go by bus (particularly Euston-Waterloo which is much nicer by bus than Tube with luggage, plus you get to enjoy the best view in London as you cross Waterloo Bridge) and dislike having to split to ensure I get an e-ticket instead of an archaic paper ticket I have to faff about collecting.

You won't be getting eTickets on the LNER app unless the flow owner has enabled the flow for eTicket fulfilment and in such a case you will get an eTicket through any other app. Whilst there may be a handful of other cases the only examples of cross-London journeys being available as eTickets that I am aware of are those that involve crossing London using the Thameslink core, and where the fare is set by Thameslink.

 

[MrJeeves]

Why would that ticket need a maltese cross?

Certainly don't need it on an advance.

If the same happens to flexible tickets, I'd be a bit more aggrieved.

 

[GilfachFargoed]

Because that's what the route code contains (820 is +GWR ONLY). Trainline shouldn't be unilaterally fiddling with it.

It's irrelevant to that specific booked journey, of course, but that's by the by.

The route code and the cross-London indicator (that appears in systems / on tickets as the 'Maltese Cross') are two separate fields in back office systems.

 

[Edvid]

Where is the "mix and match" hidden, as I've never seen it?

An update - I've just learned the app only offers that option if you're booking a return, not a single or open return.

Once you've selected "mix and match tickets" you can change it to a single or open return and start afresh.

 

[embers25]

Ridiculously cumbersome but thanks for confirming.