Changing or refunding an unused off-peak day single.

[sn5775]

Hi all,

I have an unused any permitted off-peak single between Manchester Piccadilly and Nuneaton dated yesterday, Sunday, 4th October.

Unfortunately, my plans changed and I needed to stay in Manchester last night.

Is there any possibility that I can change the ticket so that it can be used today, Monday, 5th October, or if this is not possible, to refund the ticket?

The ticket was purchased directly from London on Northwestern via their app. I sent them a tweet yesterday but I am yet to receive a reply.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[MrJeeves]

Since 1 April 2026, flexible tickets cannot be refunded once they become valid. Unfortunately, the ticket has no value now as a result.

Of course, if you found a delayed or cancelled train on something like Realtime Trains which ostensibly stopped you from travelling and is why you stayed in Manchester, you could claim a refund on the ticket on that basis up to 28 days after the date of travel and then book a new ticket for today...

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Seems all nine direct Manchester Piccadilly to Nuneaton / London Euston (Avanti) services ran as scheduled yesterday (Sun 4th October 2026). No cancellations or appreciable delays.

 

[Watershed]

Of course, if you found a delayed or cancelled train on something like Realtime Trains which ostensibly stopped you from travelling and is why you stayed in Manchester, you could claim a refund on the ticket on that basis up to 28 days after the date of travel and then book a new ticket for today...

It doesn't even need to have prevented you from travelling, you just need to have decided not to travel.

Given that the industry is quite happy to pocket the revenue for journeys not made, simply because it can't be bothered to put in place proper measures to make sure eTickets are consistently scanned, I wouldn't feel any moral qualms whatsoever about this.

I'd perhaps feel slightly bad for the retailer if they're a smaller independent one as they have to eat the transaction costs for a disruption refund (whereas they'd get to keep £5 as an admin fee for a 'change of mind' refund), but not in a case like this where it's a TOC incurring the cost.

Seems all nine direct Manchester Piccadilly to Nuneaton / London Euston (Avanti) services ran as scheduled yesterday (Sun 4th October 2026). No cancellations or appreciable delays.

There's no requirement to be planning to take a direct service. Plus any delay, of any duration, qualifies for a refund. In this case the 12:31 from Manchester to Crewe was cancelled, for example.