Ticket collection requiring a card (or not)

[TrainTraveler]

Thanks for all the interesting and useful background.

It seems that (assuming the ticket machine doesn't force a card use) it is the retailer that choses whether to require a card at collection.

From my small sample size.

• LNER needs card
• Avanti doesn't need card
• Forum (RailEasy) doesn't need a card

I have an order to collect shortly which will let me confirm the third point.

Collected the forum ticket - didn't need a card.

 

[Edvid]

Recently, when collecting a ticket from an Elizabeth line station, I was very surprised not to be asked for my card when picking up tickets.

Out of interest was it West Ealing, Ealing Broadway, or somewhere else?

 

[Wallsendmag]

Recently, when collecting a ticket from an Elizabeth line station, I was very surprised not to be asked for my card when picking up tickets.

They've recently moved to S&B TVMs

 

[TimT]

First time contributor — this thread prompted me to try mapping the topic as a matrix (retailer vs machine type) which I think makes the pattern clearer. Happy to be corrected on anything.

The two things that struck me reading through: the same-card flag being set by the retailer not the TOC is the key variable for most journeys; and separately, Worldline FAST and Cubic Electra machines (Elizabeth line, Heathrow, some c2c/Overground stations) will always demand a card regardless of what the retailer flagged — you can spot them because they ask for the card before the collection reference.

On Southern specifically — their website's collection page says "any card is fine," however I have seen recently no card at all is requested (at Southern stations).

 

[MrJeeves]

The two things that struck me reading through: the same-card flag being set by the retailer not the TOC is the key variable for most journeys

There is no TOC flag, so yes whether the retailer sets it is what actually matters.

will always demand a card regardless of what the retailer flagged — you can spot them because they ask for the card before the collection reference

But, importantly, it won't need to match the card details stored for the booking even if a card is required.

 

[mmh]

There is no TOC flag, so yes whether the retailer sets it is what actually matters.


But, importantly, it won't need to match the card details stored for the booking even if a card is required.

It is so railway. What complete nonsense.