Birmingham International to Glasgow - Ticket availability 19/05/2014

[Deerfold]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone knows what's holding up Virgin releasing tickets for 19/05/2014?

The booking horizon seems to have been stuck for a couple of weeks.

I'm travelling BHI to Glasgow on 19/05/2014. I booked my ticket to Birmingham New Street (BHM) (with XC) [and I'll probably then spend and extra £1.30 and get a BHM-BHI Virgin only 1st class ticket and try out the lounges as I have a bit of time in hand ] and a hotel a couple of weeks ago. I then booked my hotel in Glasgow and my ticket out of Glasgow (with EC) a week ago.

I'm tempted to book a flight (currently available for £35, a fiver more than when I first looked) but I'd rather get the train - (possibly 1st class if I can get the right fare).

There is an XC from Birmingham New Street for £39 in STD but that takes over 2 hours longer and is XC. For some reason the Virgin site won't show me this train, even if I specify via York but I've seen it on the EC site.

(It's just me, no railcards, flexible on timings but don't want too early a start as I'll have been out the night before and not too late a departure as I'll have to check out of my hotel by 1200).

 

[andythebrave]

Checking further north on NRE there are notes that there could be engineering work around that time (I looked at Preston to Glasgow) so when that's decided I've no doubt they'll be released.

 

[LesS]

I am having exactly the same problem. I am wanting a Euston to Glasgow ticket for 22 May. Virgin seem to have been stuck at the 17th for a couple of weeks.

East Coast have just opened their bookings to 31 May and even this seems to be a little long winded in coming.

Could Virgin be playing games or is there a more serious problem with their booking system?

 

[sonic2009]

I don't think Virgin are playing games, the fares for the 19th April were only released on 3rd March. Could be there is some engineering work that needs sorting.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Virgin have just said to me on twitter, that the advance fares for 19th may, will be released at the end of the month.

Follow me @5onic2009

 

[extendedpaul]

It's not just Virgin whose tickets are being released later than usual. I've been trying to book trips on FGW to Devon and to Wales for w/c Mon 19 May for two weeks now but still no advances.

 

[Deerfold]

It's not just Virgin whose tickets are being released later than usual. I've been trying to book trips on FGW to Devon and to Wales for w/c Mon 19 May for two weeks now but still no advances.

National Rail suggests FGW are normal except for routes that run via Dawlish
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/44703.aspx

Everyone else is up to the 30th May except LM.

 

[extendedpaul]

Nope, I still can't get advances from Paddington to Cardiff after 17 May

 

[LesS]

Well, I have grown tired of waiting and have now booked London to Glasgow with EastCoast via Edinburgh. Interestingly the fare to Glasgow is the same as to Edinburgh. As the Anytime fare between Edinburgh & Glasgow is 13.50 the saving is considerable.

I am puzzelled at the suggestion that Virgin might be delayed by the need to sort out trackwork programmes. In the few days before a major holiday weekend this seems unlikely.

 

[Deerfold]

Sorry to bump this, but it's another week, East Coast have released another week of tickets. Anyone know how long this delay is likely to last?

XC and airline prices continue to rise and I'm worried I'm going to end up coaching it to Glasgow.

What day does Virgin usually release tickets? I know for EC it's usually Thursday.

 

[Deerfold]

I don't think Virgin are playing games, the fares for the 19th April were only released on 3rd March. Could be there is some engineering work that needs sorting.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Virgin have just said to me on twitter, that the advance fares for 19th may, will be released at the end of the month.

Follow me @5onic2009

It's looking less likely unless they're very quick now

Anyone heard anything else?

 

[andythebrave]

Nope. I gave up and booked from Sandy with EC instead of Milton Keynes WC.

 

[Deerfold]

Much relief as I've picked one up for 16 quid on my preferred train (1053 from BHI). That appears to be the lowest fare available for that route so I'm happy.