Changing Virgin Advance + Linked Return: Problems

[Puffing Devil]

I had a trip booked tomorrow from Crewe to London. Out in 1st on an early train and a comfy seat back in the declassified 18:57 to Manchester.

Call at 5pm to say my course was cancelled.

Outbound was an Advance, return was a Virgin 1/2 Single.

I managed to change the Advance for November to fit another trip. The online system would not let me change the Single - it had to be refunded. I arrange that over the phone. I'm OK with the £20 in penalties.

Trying now to book a return to marry up with my Advance throws up a problem. I want to get the 18:57 on 6th November for the declassified seating, plus it suits my times.

I can't get the half single at £37.10 as it's not part of a return booking - even though it was and I want it to be. The call centre can't/won't help as it's "Not available", then "It needs to be part of a return", then "It's online only".

Alternatives are £73.20. I could buy throwaway LM ticket for a fake outbound for £9 to trigger the return, but don't see why I should.

(I'm returning from Henley On Thames - I need an offpeak return from Euston or Paddington for that journey it it helps to combine, but I don't think it does.)

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[gray1404]

As your booking so far ahead is an Advance in its own right not on offer on board the 18.57? I am guessing not given you have raised this post. I think if you can get the system into selling you the cheapest LM Advance at £9 then that sounds like the chepest workaround given you cannot do a date change on the Off Peak Single you brought already and have to have it refunded. Annoying I know as it would have been nice to have just paid one admin fee to change the date, rather then being forced to refund and buy a new ticket.

 

[gordonthemoron]

this is absolutely ridiculous, I use half price singles most weeks, I never realised you couldn't change the return date at all

 

[Hadders]

I had exactly the same issue earlier in the year.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=110569

I complained to Virgin and got one of their 'fob off' £50 RTV's. Whilst that was good in a way it did nothing to get to the root cause of the problem.

 

[Puffing Devil]

I had exactly the same issue earlier in the year.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=110569

I complained to Virgin and got one of their 'fob off' £50 RTV's. Whilst that was good in a way it did nothing to get to the root cause of the problem.

I should have done a better search.

Did you write or call to secure the £50?

 

[Hadders]

I wrote an old fashioned letter to them as I tend to find this gets a better result.

 

[gray1404]

I wrote an old fashioned letter to them as I tend to find this gets a better result.

In that case the OP might wish to do the same then.

Interesting point about writing in rather then other methods (e.g. email). I have as it happens written a letter to them so will be interesting to see if the reply is better then usual.