c2c Discontinue Online Advance Discount

[Hejaz]

For those who weren't aware, c2c offered a discount of up to 40% for those who bought off-peak return tickets online 3 or more days in advance.

From a c2c email:

You're receiving this email as we've identified you as a customer who has purchased our Online Advance Discount product within the last 12 months. This product gave a 40% discount on Off-Peak tickets purchased 3+ days in advance of travel.

We’re getting in touch to let you know that we will be discontinuing this product on 30 September. Any tickets purchased prior to this date will still be valid for travel afterwards, however no Online Advance Discount tickets can be purchased from 01 October 2025.

We appreciate that many customers enjoyed the discount provided by the ticket and may be disappointed by its removal. We’d like to set out below some alternative options for helping keep the cost down of off peak travel.

Replacement product - 1/3 Off Saver​

To allow customers to continue to enjoy discounted travel during quieter periods, we will be introducing the 1/3 Off Saver ticket from 01 October. This ticket is similar to the Online Advance Discount, with the following features:

• 1/3rd saving on c2c Off Peak Return tickets when bought 3+ days in advance
• Cannot be used in conjunction with a Railcard or GroupSave
• Available for travel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only

This product is designed to emphasise its use for leisure travellers and will be available to purchase at c2c-online.co.uk or through the c2c Train Travel App from 01 October.

Alternatively, the Network Railcard provides adults 1/3 off rail fares in London and the South East. Other railcards are also available for disabled people, young people, and seniors. More information on Railcards can be found on our website.

It's a real shame as the "replacement product" is obviously more restricted and no longer stacks with a railcard.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Is this the first, err, benefit of nationalisation for the line?

 

[Trainbike46]

Are either the old or the new discount exclusively available through c2c, or also via other retailers?

 

[fandroid]

Presumably the old and new offers are restricted to travel on C2C services

 

[Trainbike46]

Presumably the old and new offers are restricted to travel on C2C services

Presumably, but could you buy these tickets for the relevant c2c services from, for example, GWR or Trainsplit?

 

[Jim Jehosofat]

Is this the first, err, benefit of nationalisation for the line?

I think the word benefit should actually read enhancement!

 

[Hejaz]

Are either the old or the new discount exclusively available through c2c, or also via other retailers?

The old discount was only available when buying from c2c directly. I assume the new discount is the same but it's not clear.

 

[Hadders]

It’s good to see them mention the Network Railcard in their passenger comms!

 

[Simon11]

I launched this product when working at c2c over a decade ago and still have the first ever ticket!

Make sense changing this products as travel habits change and introduction of contactless.

 

[John R]

I launched this product when working at c2c over a decade ago and still have the first ever ticket!

Interesting. I’m surprised that offering off peak tickets at a 40% discount if booked 3 days in advance was judged to increase overall revenue - presumably analysis showed it did, else it would have been withdrawn a long time ago?

 

[alistairlees]

The old discount was only available when buying from c2c directly. I assume the new discount is the same but it's not clear.

I'm sure we can get that fixed.