Avanti 10th December

[L+Y]

I know there are issues with Avanti being reluctant to issue tickets in advance- but when do they generally go on sale?

I'm hoping to buy two adult tickets using a Two Together Railcard for travel Preston to London on Saturday 10th December. Advance singles are available, but as yet no return advances can be booked for the following day. Off peak return fares are silly money: at an extreme, it's charging £1000 for two off peak first class returns!

Could anybody advise when Avanti might be likely to release ticket sales for the Sunday 11th?

 

[Bletchleyite]

If you're happy to travel Standard back (or upgrade to Standard Premium on board for I think £25), the Standard Off Peak Single is priced at about 70% of the return, so you could take a chance and book the outward now before it goes up.

First Class fares on Avanti are generally outrageous, because it's mostly now just Coach K. Standard Premium and a decent "buffet" from M&S Food or similar is far better value. You might not even get charged for it - thus far I've paid for it once and got it free twice.

 

[JamesT]

I know there are issues with Avanti being reluctant to issue tickets in advance- but when do they generally go on sale?

I'm hoping to buy two adult tickets using a Two Together Railcard for travel Preston to London on Saturday 10th December. Advance singles are available, but as yet no return advances can be booked for the following day. Off peak return fares are silly money: at an extreme, it's charging £1000 for two off peak first class returns!

Could anybody advise when Avanti might be likely to release ticket sales for the Sunday 11th?

Sign up for an email alert when they put tickets on sale? https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/tickets-and-savings/ways-to-save/advance-ticket-alerts

 

[Merseysider]

Go ahead and book the Advance for the Saturday.

Worst case scenario: you exchange it for a voucher under the Book with Confidence scheme & use the credit to purchase a different ticket.

 

[Watershed]

Go ahead and book the Advance for the Saturday.

Worst case scenario: you exchange it for a voucher under the Book with Confidence scheme & use the credit to purchase a different ticket.

Exactly. Though make sure that the retailer you choose offers vouchers - not all do.

 

[Haywain]

Worst case scenario: you exchange it for a voucher under the Book with Confidence scheme & use the credit to purchase a different ticket.

Although bear in mind that Book with Confidence currently has an end date of November 30th.

 

[Watershed]

Although bear in mind that Book with Confidence currently has an end date of November 30th.

It would still apply to bookings made up until that date.

 

[Haywain]

It would still apply to bookings made up until that date.

No, it would not.

 

[Watershed]

No, it would not.

We've had this discussion before. NRE says that it applies to bookings made until 30 November and passengers are entitled to rely on that.

 

[Haywain]

We've had this discussion before. NRE says that it applies to bookings made until 30 November and passengers are entitled to rely on that.

NRE also says check with the retailer. In any event, relying on NRE would mean a long and drawn out battle to get anything that the retailer themself is not offering. I don’t see that as good advice to the OP. However, BwC might get renewed in its current form before the 30th. Or might not.

 

[Watershed]

NRE also says check with the retailer.

It says to check whether they're participating with BwC. All TOCs, and most third party retailers, are.

It notes that some retailers don't offer vouchers - but it doesn't set out that some retailers impose an additional deadlines for changes.

In any event, relying on NRE would mean a long and drawn out battle to get anything that the retailer themself is not offering. I don’t see that as good advice to the OP. However, BwC might get renewed in its current form before the 30th. Or might not.

Given the circumstances, I still think it's the best advice for the OP. They are best off buying an Advance for the Saturday now, to lock in current prices, and then see whether Advances are released at worthwhile prices for the times they want to travel on the Sunday. By waiting there is also the chance that BwC may expire completely.

If a retailer acts in breach of contract, that is always something that can be remedied at a later date. But if prices go up for the Saturday Advances, the OP doesn't have any recourse.

 

[janb]

Could anybody advise when Avanti might be likely to release ticket sales for the Sunday 11th?

RMT Avanti Train Manager strike action is planned for the 11th and 12th of December. That has led to the delay in publishing a timetable, and there will probably only be 4-5 trains on that route based on past experience. Whether the announcement of further action as part of the 14 TOC dispute on 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th will lead to any change (because thats a lot of days pay to lose) to the Avanti specific action I don't know.

 

[Haywain]

Whether the announcement of further action as part of the 14 TOC dispute on 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th will lead to any change (because thats a lot of days pay to lose) to the Avanti specific action I don't know.

On top of the strikes there’s an overtime and rest day work ban by RMT across the Christmas and New Year period so even fewer opportunities to make up list pay.