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How do I force a 'same seat reservation' for my entire journey through RailForums planner?

Bayum

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Title is as the post. Need to head back to Leeds from Bristol for an hour infusion because my referral to Bristol hospital fell through. Happy to book through the RailForums site but the last time I booked there didn't seem to be an option to keep the same seat.
 
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MrJeeves

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You can use the seat selector to pick your seat across multiple split tickets.


Two radio button options. First, unselected: I would like to reserve a seat by selecting my preferences. Second, selected: I would like to reserve a seat using the seat selector
 

MrJeeves

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And if it isn't letting me select a seat, there are no reservations left?
Correct!

Or the operator has deemed you not worthy of a reservation, either via incompetence or intentionally.
 

Bayum

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And I wouldn't be able to reserve a priority access seat or similar?
 
Last edited:

Bletchleyite

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And I wouldn't be able to reserve a priority access seat or similar?

Some TOCs (notably TPE) block reservation of those. You would be able to reserve them if you book assistance though, assuming you need that.

If it's an Advance it may be because you have the last ticket in a given quota level, that prevents selection as it works by grabbing a new one in the new seat and releasing the old one back. If it didn't do that someone could buy it in the interim. I recall reading that the latest reservation system doesn't have to work like that for seat selection but it still does with most if not all retailers.
 

Bayum

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Some TOCs (notably TPE) block reservation of those. You would be able to reserve them if you book assistance though, assuming you need that.

If it's an Advance it may be because you have the last ticket in a given quota level, that prevents selection as it works by grabbing a new one in the new seat and releasing the old one back. If it didn't do that someone could buy it in the interim. I recall reading that the latest reservation system doesn't have to work like that for seat selection but it still does with most if not all retailers.
I don't need the assistance but I'm not going to be able to stand and nor am I able to get no the floor to be able to sit.
 

tram21

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I don't need the assistance but I'm not going to be able to stand and nor am I able to get no the floor to be able to sit.
I would recommend getting the assistance then. It's not just for wheelchair users etc, it can be used if you have heavy luggage, and (to a certain extent) guarantees a seat. If someone cannot stand I would recommend booking assistance- as its there, use it!!
 

MrJeeves

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It's not just for wheelchair users etc, it can be used if you have heavy luggage
Just to clarify for others reading this thread, simply having too much/heavy luggage is not an appropriate use of Passenger Assist, and people misusing it just because they have brought too much luggage for them to handle by themselves only makes it more difficult for those who really need it (and may, for example, have hidden disabilities) to get the assistance they require.

However, if you need assistance with reasonable amounts of luggage because of a medical condition/disability, or would struggle due to old age, then you can request the help of Passenger Assist.

As it has been put in the past:
Passenger Assist is intended for people who couldn't travel otherwise, not people who couldn't travel with as much luggage as they want.

Of course, if OP needs a seat due to a medical condition (which they may, as they have mentioned a hospital referral), they are more than welcome to request assistance, and I would echo the suggestions to do so from others in the thread.
 

tram21

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Just to clarify for others reading this thread, simply having too much/heavy luggage is not an appropriate use of Passenger Assist, and people misusing it just because they have brought too much luggage for them to handle by themselves only makes it more difficult for those who really need it (and may, for example, have hidden disabilities) to get the assistance they require.

However, if you need assistance with reasonable amounts of luggage because of a medical condition/disability, or would struggle due to old age, then you can request the help of Passenger Assist.

As it has been put in the past:


Of course, if OP needs a seat due to a medical condition (which they may, as they have mentioned a hospital referral), they are more than welcome to request assistance, and I would echo the suggestions to do so from others in the thread.
Apologies yes, I mean if you are travelling with an appropriate amount of luggage but have a mobility issue, for example, which would make it difficult for you to carry. It is obviously not appropriate to book passenger assistance for your family holiday to Skegness!!! :lol:
 

Bayum

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Just to clarify for others reading this thread, simply having too much/heavy luggage is not an appropriate use of Passenger Assist, and people misusing it just because they have brought too much luggage for them to handle by themselves only makes it more difficult for those who really need it (and may, for example, have hidden disabilities) to get the assistance they require.

However, if you need assistance with reasonable amounts of luggage because of a medical condition/disability, or would struggle due to old age, then you can request the help of Passenger Assist.

As it has been put in the past:


Of course, if OP needs a seat due to a medical condition (which they may, as they have mentioned a hospital referral), they are more than welcome to request assistance, and I would echo the suggestions to do so from others in the thread.
This site is having my life. Gave me a ticket for the wrong day and now I'm struggling with the seat selector again.

If the seat selector is only showing me, 'Cheltenham Spa to Bristol Temple Meads', does that mean that the Leeds to Cheltenham section is non-reservable too?
 

WesternLancer

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This site is having my life. Gave me a ticket for the wrong day and now I'm struggling with the seat selector again.

If the seat selector is only showing me, 'Cheltenham Spa to Bristol Temple Meads', does that mean that the Leeds to Cheltenham section is non-reservable too?
It was a long time ago when I did it when travelling with a relative with limited mobility, but not requiring a wheelchair - when i contacted Passenger assistance (this was with Virgin Cross Country at the time) - they could override the reservation system, book suitable seat as required. They arranged assistance with connecting operator too - which was whoever Northern were then - so an integrated passenger assistance scheme

They either cancelled the default reservation I had been issued with the ticket, or simple told me to ignore it - and sit int he seat they had now reserved for me which was at a suitable priority space near a carriage end for ease of access.

It was int he days of Voyager trains so the same rollign stock as now.

Unsure if the service can still be accessed by phone in person as I've not used it in recent years - but suspect it could be for people who needed to access it that way.

Juts mentioning this in case the same levels of assistance can be used.
 

Bayum

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It was a long time ago when I did it when travelling with a relative with limited mobility, but not requiring a wheelchair - when i contacted Passenger assistance (this was with Virgin Cross Country at the time) - they could override the reservation system, book suitable seat as required. They arranged assistance with connecting operator too - which was whoever Northern were then - so an integrated passenger assistance scheme

They either cancelled the default reservation I had been issued with the ticket, or simple told me to ignore it - and sit int he seat they had now reserved for me which was at a suitable priority space near a carriage end for ease of access.

It was int he days of Voyager trains so the same rollign stock as now.

Unsure if the service can still be accessed by phone in person as I've not used it in recent years - but suspect it could be for people who needed to access it that way.

Juts mentioning this in case the same levels of assistance can be used.
Thank you. I will see what the situation is. I’d say I’d gladly look at an upgrade on Seatfrog but for what you get with XC, I’m loathe to take the option.
 

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