Booked XC ticket in SWT - can't reserve seat!

[HowardGWR]

Found a much better offer on SWT for a ticket from Exeter to Leeds and back. However got 'we cannot reserve seats on this service' and am worried about being pushed about from pillar to post on these journeys, especially by these 10 minute wallahs.

Can I book the tickets on SWT (journey is in a month's time) and having received the tickets, then try and reserve the seats on XC, even though I bought the tickets from someone else (in this case SWT)?

Train is July 10th 1124 Exeter to Leeds (HST?) and
July 14th 1211 Leeds to Exeter (HST again?))

Any help much appreciated.

 

[Bletchleyite]

A station can probably[1] reserve you seats in person - or be a TMR wallah yourself!

[1] If there are any. Quite possibly there aren't; different websites don't get their own quota.

 

[louis97]

Train is July 10th 1124 Exeter to Leeds (HST?) and July 14th 1211 Leeds to Exeter (HST again?))

1124 Exeter to Leeds is booked a 221, so coach B is unreserved on this train.
1211 Leeds to Exeter is booked a 220, no unreserved coach on this train, unless it runs as a 221. There is a number of unreserved seats across the train, see here: https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media/1051/voyager_seating_plan.pdf

 

[Ash Bridge]

Found a much better offer on SWT for a ticket from Exeter to Leeds and back. However got 'we cannot reserve seats on this service' and am worried about being pushed about from pillar to post on these journeys, especially by these 10 minute wallahs.

Can I book the tickets on SWT (journey is in a month's time) and having received the tickets, then try and reserve the seats on XC, even though I bought the tickets from someone else (in this case SWT)?

Train is July 10th 1124 Exeter to Leeds (HST?) and
July 14th 1211 Leeds to Exeter (HST again?))

Any help much appreciated.

I didn't think SWT offered seat reservations? Regarding the XC tickets why not when you receive them take them to your nearest mainline station ticket office and see if they can do it for you?

 

[HowardGWR]

1124 Exeter to Leeds is booked a 221, so coach B is unreserved on this train.
1211 Leeds to Exeter is booked a 220, no unreserved coach on this train, unless it runs as a 221. There is a number of unreserved seats across the train, see here: https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media/1051/voyager_seating_plan.pdf

Thanks to all, so far. That is a pdf. So NR means permanently not reservable?

On the SWT, I assumed the page just came up as standard, even though it can't function on XC services. The message was not literally as I expressed it.

I am actually beginning the journey from Axminster but they couldn't reserve that one either (apparently), mind I wouldn't need to on that stretch.

On hopping along to the station, if you live 10 miles from anywhere and no bus service, it is not exactly convenient to do that suggestion, although they are very helpful at AXM.

XC says you can ring them up, so your advice that you don't have to have their ticket is very comforting.

 

[swt_passenger]

I am actually beginning the journey from Axminster but they couldn't reserve that one either (apparently), mind I wouldn't need to on that stretch.

SWT don't offer reservations on their own services, they only do "booked train only" on Advances. So that leg at least is exactly as expected.

 

[sheff1]

.....

 

[HowardGWR]

Thanks for latest replies. SWT now won't recognise my log in password, nor will they send me a new one (no promised email reset has arrived after an hour) - losing patience but persevering as it was a lower price (£104 each with railcards). I am not even considering the XC prices. (I don't actually want to buy a 221, just sit in one!).

I always had my tickets posted to me without cost, in the past, but as a 'guest', they are saying I have to pick them up from the station machine.

It's not like this when booking (e.g.) Easyjet! Simplicity itself.

 

[HowardGWR]

Update:

Found the same tickets available on GWR site (much easier to use), and that included seat reservation service and post free to my address, so done.
Bad luck SWT (who have still not sent email password reset for my account).

Good old GWR. They actually apologised that they had no seats in the quiet coach, but all other options were honoured. Most impressed. Tip: don't say you want to be near toilet, otherwise you'll end up over the bogies, I suspect!

 

[bb21]

N/R seats are not reservable as they do not have display screens above them and the seats are not numbered.

 

[HowardGWR]

N/R seats are not reservable as they do not have display screens above them and the seats are not numbered.

Yes, I realised that eventually, after studying the layout kindly provided, thanks. There were only a few (literally) as far as I could see -perhaps for the staff?

 

[D6975]

Yes, I realised that eventually, after studying the layout kindly provided, thanks. There were only a few (literally) as far as I could see -perhaps for the staff?

Some of them are 'priority' seats.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, I realised that eventually, after studying the layout kindly provided, thanks. There were only a few (literally) as far as I could see -perhaps for the staff?

They are extra seats that were put in in place of luggage racks on the cheap (i.e. with no displays).

 

[AlterEgo]

Found a much better offer on SWT for a ticket from Exeter to Leeds and back. However got 'we cannot reserve seats on this service' and am worried about being pushed about from pillar to post on these journeys, especially by these 10 minute wallahs.

Can I book the tickets on SWT (journey is in a month's time) and having received the tickets, then try and reserve the seats on XC, even though I bought the tickets from someone else (in this case SWT)?

Train is July 10th 1124 Exeter to Leeds (HST?) and
July 14th 1211 Leeds to Exeter (HST again?))

Any help much appreciated.

Were these advance tickets? If so, how were they being sold to you without a reservation?

If they weren't advance tickets, they must be walk ups - is there some sort of discount deal with SWT at the moment I've not heard of?

 

[RichardAbbott]

You can book your own 10 minute reservations via text message. See https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/tickets/ten-minute-reservations