Confusion resulting from ticket type names

[Class800]

'Off-peak return' is a product with validity for 30 days on the return leg. I've had experiences with ticket offices thinking I want a day return, and having to correct them. It's certainly not helpful that the ticket no longer mentions 'period'. Has anyone else had such issues?

 

[jfollows]

I tend to ask for a "saver return" which is of course incorrect but the former name for the same thing, reinforced by the "SVR" ticket code, and this tends to be better understood.
I agree that "off peak return" pretty much implies "day return" to me, but that may be my age and the age of the people working in ticket offices. Although I always ask for a "cheap day return" or "off peak day return" when I really want a day return ticket.

 

[mangyiscute]

I'll usually say something like "the one thats valid for 30 days" for clarity

 

[Class800]

I'm going to use the old term period return in ticket offices when I can't order online - as I think the 'off peak return' term is not clear, and it's not helpful either for customers or staff.

 

[Haywain]

'Off-peak return' is a product with validity for 30 days on the return leg. I've had experiences with ticket offices thinking I want a day return, and having to correct them. It's certainly not helpful that the ticket no longer mentions 'period'. Has anyone else had such issues?

And ticket offices have problems with people asking for Off Peak Returns when the do want to return the same day and a day return is available. You seem to suggest that you have a problem with being asked for confirmation of which ticket you want.

 

[Class800]

And ticket offices have problems with people asking for Off Peak Returns when the do want to return the same day and a day return is available. You seem to suggest that you have a problem with being asked for confirmation of which ticket you want.

I don't suggest I have a problem with confirmation. I comment that I will try to make it clearer than the official terminology what I want - as I want it to be as straightforward for staff and for me as possible. I also note that 'Off peak return' is an official product name, but as the name in itself is not very clear, using the product name is not understood unambiguously as one might expect for an official name.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Off peak returns aren’t valid for 30 days for a start , it’s a calendar month. Off Peak day returns are valid for a day simples

 

[alistairlees]

I wonder if the word ‘month’ could be added?

 

[LowLevel]

Open Return is a big bugbear of mine. Nearly everyone I've ever spoken to who uses that phrase means Period Return. Trainline insist on using it for a non advance return including day returns, thus resulting in the dreaded expired ticket when the customer wants to travel back another day.

 

[mangyiscute]

Open Return is a big bugbear of mine. Nearly everyone I've ever spoken to who uses that phrase means Period Return. Trainline insist on using it for a non advance return including day returns, thus resulting in the dreaded expired ticket when the customer wants to travel back another day.

I guess the use of open return on trainline is to try and get people to understand that their ticket can be used on any train, since a lot of people (especially trainline users) think that they have to stick to their specific booked train even when they have an off peak/anytime ticket

 

[londonbridge]

I tend to buy most of my tickets online these days but on one occasion at Bromley South when I asked for a return to Whitstable I was asked if I was coming back the same day. Which I was, I was going to a relatives funeral. In cases where the distance is such that it’s not immediately clear if the customer wants a day return or a period, a good clue might be to consider how they’re dressed and whether they’re carrying an overnight bag or luggage.

 

[mangyiscute]

I tend to buy most of my tickets online these days but on one occasion at Bromley South when I asked for a return to Whitstable I was asked if I was coming back the same day. Which I was, I was going to a relatives funeral. In cases where the distance is such that it’s not immediately clear if the customer wants a day return or a period, a good clue might be to consider how they’re dressed and whether they’re carrying an overnight bag or luggage.

If I'm honest I think rather than looking at dress and what theyre carrying (since i will usually travel with just my rucksack for a day trip or for a 1/2 night stay) the most sensible thing is to do exactly what happened and ask the customer.

 

[30907]

I'm going to use the old term period return in ticket offices when I can't order online - as I think the 'off peak return' term is not clear, and it's not helpful either for customers or staff.

When was this a ticket type?
I can remember Savers, and further back Monthly, Weekend etc., but Period Return has escapement.

 

[sheff1]

'Off-peak return' is a product with validity for 30 days on the return leg. I've had experiences with ticket offices thinking I want a day return, and having to correct them. It's certainly not helpful that the ticket no longer mentions 'period'. Has anyone else had such issues?

Fortunately I can buy any off peak return I need from the TVMs. It is only certain day returns that I have to get from the ticket office. If for any reason I did need to get an off peak return from the office I would ask for something like "off peak return, coming back next week".

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Nov 2022 ==

When was this a ticket type?
I can remember Savers, and further back Monthly, Weekend etc., but Period Return has escapement.

Period return was in common usage when I worked in a booking office back in the 70s. They were valid for 3 months.

 

[PeterC]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Nov 2022 ==


Period return was in common usage when I worked in a booking office back in the 70s. They were valid for 3 months.

I only remember two flavours of return from my teenage years. Return and cheap day return. I don't know how widespread it was but ordinary returns for local journeys on the GEML in what became Greater London were cut from 3 month validity to, I think, one week.

 

[1D54]

Was given an Off Peak Day Return (CDR), Nottingham - Man Picc last year instead of the Super Off Peak that I asked for.

I found it strange that the lady who sold it to me at the ticket office had no idea what the difference between the two of them was, apart from the price, of course.

 

[30907]

Period return was in common usage when I worked in a booking office back in the 70s. They were valid for 3 months.

...except around London where they were valid one day only by then.
The official title was Ordinary Return in both cases.

 

[TUC]

Good reason to buy tickets online where you can control which one is selected.