Chiltern Smartcard - confused

[BanburyBlue]

Hi all. The company that I work for is increasing the number of days we must go into the office, so that now a Chiltern Flexi-Season Ticket will cost in. I've ordered and received my Chiltern Smartcard.

I'm confused how it all works, and the Chiltern FAQs are a tad vague. Tomorrow I'm off to Snow Hill, so I thought I'd try it out on an Anytime Day Return between Banbury and Birmingham Snow Hill. I've bought the ticket, and requested that it be delivered to my Smartcard - so far so good, but...

1. The Chiltern website mentions having to use NFC Ticket Loading. When I do this, there is a satisfying ping, and big blue tick, but then a message saying "There are no tickets pending for your card to download"? Do I need to download the ticket first onto the Smartcard using the yellow ticket readers at the gate line?
2. Why do I need to do the 'NFC ticket loading' bit first, if the ticket is on the smartcard?
3. If my ticket is checked on the journey, what do I show the guard? My smartcard?
4. Can I use the Smartcard at non-Chiltern stations?

Many thanks all.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Hi all. The company that I work for is increasing the number of days we must go into the office, so that now a Chiltern Flexi-Season Ticket will cost in. I've ordered and received my Chiltern Smartcard.

I'm confused how it all works, and the Chiltern FAQs are a tad vague. Tomorrow I'm off to Snow Hill, so I thought I'd try it out on an Anytime Day Return between Banbury and Birmingham Snow Hill. I've bought the ticket, and requested that it be delivered to my Smartcard - so far so good, but...

1. The Chiltern website mentions having to use NFC Ticket Loading. When I do this, there is a satisfying ping, and big blue tick, but then a message saying "There are no tickets pending for your card to download"? Do I need to download the ticket first onto the Smartcard using the yellow ticket readers at the gate line?
2. Why do I need to do the 'NFC ticket loading' bit first, if the ticket is on the smartcard?
3. If my ticket is checked on the journey, what do I show the guard? My smartcard?
4. Can I use the Smartcard at non-Chiltern stations?

Many thanks all.

1) Try the National Rail Smartcard Manager app. It's available for Apple and Android and tends to be more reliable than TOC apps.

Tickets can be loaded at any TVM, Ticket Office, through mobile apps or on the barriers at the origin station (or a nominated station for ungated stations or where there are no standalone validators.)

2) Like Oyster, the ticket is stored on the card, so needs to be loaded before it can be used. When travelling from a gated station, this will usually be done when entering but you have the option of doing so ahead of time.

3) Just present the Smartcard (and photo ID if requested.) They should have a scanner to be able to validate what's on there.

4) Yes, though not for cross-London journeys (other than Travelcards.) You can also buy tickets from any Ticket Office or TVM that can sell to a Smartcard, but online purchases are only available through the Chiltern app or website.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Not quite any TVM but any Chiltern Northern or LNER TVM (S&B TVMs use ISAMS so are in the same positions as gates)

 

[CyrusWuff]

Not quite any TVM but any Chiltern Northern or LNER TVM (S&B TVMs use ISAMS so are in the same positions as gates)

My mistake. Assumed TVMs all did Direct Fulfilment, but evidently not!

 

[Wallsendmag]

My mistake. Assumed TVMs all did Direct Fulfilment, but evidently not!

Easy mistake to make if you haven't been exposed to S&B TVMs