Recent content by mad_rich

There's some discussion of this on Headforpoints. He makes the good point that, as inflation puts fares up, so the points needed for a redemption must increase too - and this is a pretty reasonable increase. (While taking Nigel's point that the scheme suffered a major devaluation a few years...

They also sell a Benelux pass, where the -lux part is worthless, due to all domestic travel being free (in second class)!

It was a long time ago that I last flew into GVA, but there used to be a ticket machine in the baggage hall that gave the 1 hour ticket for free, for arriving air passengers. Is it still there?

Thanks for the report. Now that this ruse has been spotted in France and Germany, I guess it’s escaped containment! I assume some payment processor has cottoned-on to the opportunity, and is now promoting it to merchants.

"Unfortunately" (!) my card company has just decided to refund me as a gesture of goodwill, rather than pursue a chargeback. It's a shame that the merchant won't be penalised for what is essentially fraud, but at least I have my 6p back!

I wrote this guide over on the Interrail forum. It's a year old, but largely still valid, and has some suggested routes which you could adapt. Please do have a look and let me know if it's helpful and/ or anything has changed. Buses will indeed be your friend...

Sadly I'd already eaten, and they didn't accept cash. (Unheard of in Germany!) I was tempted to kick up a fuss, but the waitress was nice and the food was good, and I didn't want to spoil my day over 43 cents. In Denmark I did indeed walk away a couple of times when presented with the charge...

I've just had the same in Berlin. I've never seen it happen in Germany before, or anywhere else in Europe. €0.43 on a €17 payment, which required me to accept the larger transaction and tap my card again. The waitress apologised (unprompted!) and said it's for non-EU cards.

No different. It's your underlying card that matters. If it's non-EU issued, you pay the extra fees.

I’m back in Denmark, and for the first time I’ve had a transaction where I wasn’t asked to confirm the increased amount My coffee was 25kr, the terminal said 25kr, so I tapped and walked away. Later, checking my transactions, I see I’ve been charged 25.49. (I guess the transaction was still in...

I tried it this morning. I think you need a Skywards account to see results - at least I did. It does indeed look awful. I’m surprised it can be accredited given it’s selling tickets at higher than face value? Timezone failure is a rookie error. (BTW I’m currently in CET-land, and it still...

Nothing to stop you buying a Snap fare to Rotterdam or Amsterdam and getting off in Antwerp - there are no ticket checks on exit. (Although will all the Amsterdam trains stop there?)

The original ski service had full departure facilities at Bourg and Moutiers (though not Aime-la-Plagne). No need for Lille shuffle. I don't know how it was ever cost effective to provide security and 2x border control for 2 departures a week in winter, but they managed it. I guess being a...

Does anyone here have any more recent experiences of the Interoceánico? I've just been checking on pasajerosinteroceanico.com.mx, and no dates seem to be selectable, whichever line I choose. The same was true when I checked a couple of months ago. I don't think it's my browser. I'm looking at...

Indeed. You're entitled to the payment within 30 days of your original complaint. However I don't think there's any realistic penalty if they don't? You might need to 'remind' them of this, and raise the prospect of a complaint to the regulator. That might get things moving.