Advance fare on RF site

[BongoStar]

Caveat: This happened last week and I don't have too many screenshot, but as it's a regular trip, I will save next time.

On Saturday I was searching for cheapest fare between Manchester and Reading, including splitting etc.

I found nothing cheaper than 102.7 on XC or GWR or Uber ticketing sites (didn't search others). But I managed to get an Advance for just under 50 on the forums ticketing platform for just before noon. All other times were prices at 102.7 like the other sites.

I quickly went back to XC and GWR, and they still had no advances. I immediately went back to the forums ticketing tab on my browser and purchased the ticket. It didn't seem like it was the last one as after 5 mins there was still advance available to purchase for the same route.

Is this common? Am I better off searching multiple platforms for advance before buying?

 

[SickyNicky]

Did the journey have a change of trains? Sometimes the forum's site will find journeys that other sites don't because it's more intelligent about where to change trains, and it will sometimes select different trains to change onto, if they're cheaper.

But even on direct trains, it can find much better split ticket combinations than some other sites.

 

[BongoStar]

Yes, due to engineering works, there was a rail replacement service from Leamington Spa to Didcot Parkway. I didn't mind that as the saving was huge, over £50. XC and GWR were not willing to even show that route - just via London Euston.

 

[SickyNicky]

That's why then. When they are cheaper, our journey planner offers sub-optimal routes as well as the fastest ones. It's then down to the customer to choose.