Collecting ToD with "Any valid debit or credit card"

[codesam]

When you book an advanced ticket with Virgin they send you an "Everything you need before you leave" email (I can't figure out how to turn them off, I probably travel with them every week and I get enough sodding email as it is but that aside). This email mostly contains information about collecting your tickets, however recently I noticed the wording of this email has been updated from

If you're collecting your tickets at the FastTicket machine, it is essential
to bring your:
* FastTicket collection reference
* Payment card you used

To

If you're collecting your tickets at the FastTicket machine, it is essential
to bring your:
* FastTicket collection reference
* Any valid debit or credit card

And sure enough, using a different card to the one I used to purchase the tickets I could collect them. Both cards had my name on them, not sure if that's relevant.

When did they change the rules on this? I'm sure before it's got upset if I haven't used the right card, and I seem to be able to do this with all TOCs now (Bought a return on FCC and collected using a different card from the machines at LBG because it didn't like the actual card I was using)

 

[CyrusWuff]

When did they change the rules on this? I'm sure before it's got upset if I haven't used the right card, and I seem to be able to do this with all TOCs now (Bought a return on FCC and collected using a different card from the machines at LBG because it didn't like the actual card I was using)

As far as I'm aware, it's only Trainline-powered sites (and Business Travel accounts) that offer "Any Card" collection, though whether you're offered it or not seems to be entirely random.

 

[Domh245]

I'm not sure about this, but does the website actually charge the card when you make the purchase, or does it just reserve the tickets. When you go to the machine and insert the card, it charges it - but that would leave it more open to fraud. Like I said, I'm not an expert on this at all, so if anyone could clarify.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Payment is made when you book the tickets. The collection can be set by the issuing company to "Payment card only" or "any card", some companies give the choice, but for business accounts it is always "any card".

The reason for the card when collecting is to provide proof of who has picked it up, just in case you were thinking of claiming you hadn't done so when you had.

 

[Romilly]

As far as I'm aware, it's only Trainline-powered sites (and Business Travel accounts) that offer "Any Card" collection, though whether you're offered it or not seems to be entirely random.

East Coast also offer an "Any Card" collection option when you book free tickets obtained by redeeming points under their Rewards scheme, and you have to remember to select that option as it can be impossible to collect Rewards tickets from a TVM if you selected the "Card used for payment" option that you would normally select.

 

[headshot119]

East Coast also offer an "Any Card" collection option when you book free tickets obtained by redeeming points under their Rewards scheme, and you have to remember to select that option as it can be impossible to collect Rewards tickets from a TVM if you selected the "Card used for payment" option that you would normally select.

Aren't the rewards tickets now print at home?

 

[TUC]

'Any card' is much more helpful for passengers as, for example, if you are buying a ticket remotely for a family member elsewhere the country, they're need to be able to collect it.

 

[Sodor85]

I think the any card policy is a good idea, like TUC if someone else is booking the ticket for you, you can still collect it yourself without having their card. Obviously there are risks to this system but the idea is a good one

 

[Tetchytyke]

Aren't the rewards tickets now print at home?

There's a choice, you can choose ToD. The bottom ToD option is "any card".

 

[yorkie]

It used to be "any card" but some criminal gang was buying tickets with stolen card details and selling them to people (at Manchester Piccadilly, I recall), and the response of the rail industry was to enforce a "same card" collection policy.

This policy is not enforced by all Train Companies...

As far as I'm aware, it's only Trainline-powered sites (and Business Travel accounts) that offer "Any Card" collection, though whether you're offered it or not seems to be entirely random.

...I know of a Company who allows 'any card' collection who uses WebTIS. Someone who works for them confirmed this but we both agreed it was best not to reveal this on the forum, as the Company appears not want the fact to be widely advertised. Also the policy could potentially change...

Anyone wanting 'any card' collection is advised to purchase e-vouchers on the East Coast website and then pay with e-vouchers. You can combine e-vouchers, and you can part-use them. They are much more flexible than Rail Travel Vouchers. I can see no drawbacks. This method is now detailed in our Fares Guide (9.6 Collection using 'any card')

 

[hangus78]

When any selling system puts a booking into TOD its a simple flag that controls whether its set to same or any card collection.

This means all web based systems can do either, whether they are trainline or WebTIS or neither. Its really just a trade off between fraud prevention (and the odd accidental collection of the wrong tickets) and flexibility for the traveller. I can see pros and cons of both and can't decide upon my favoured approach.

 

[Hellfire]

I book my Virgin Tickets on my company's business account. We have Trainline ticket machines in many of our buildings. When you book the ticket you specify which machine you want to issue the ticket.

Having said that there is nothing to stop me using the VT TVMs at Preston. I just have to insert a card. It's purely for identification purposes as I don't use a card to pay for the tickets, they go onto the company account.

Does the TVM use the card to identify the fact it is me or could anyone put their card in and get the tickets; assuming they knew what the collection code was

 

[causton]

Does the TVM use the card to identify the fact it is me or could anyone put their card in and get the tickets; assuming they knew what the collection code was

Anyone could. Assuming it has the same sort of reference number it all goes into, and comes out of, the same system.