Daily Mail exposes rail ticketing horror

[Scotty]

I think I have seen events with free entry tickets that still attracted a booking fee.

I'm not entirely sure where I stand on booking fees. On the one hand they could just include all the costs of processing the booking and posting tickets into the ticket price, but that would mean that people who book in person would be subsidising those who do not.

The booking fee probably came in for event tickets, where the ticket price is given to the artist/event, and the booking fee goes to the hosting venue.

Is there a VAT aspect too?

 

[gray1404]

If using redspottedhanky app are you able to 1. avoid the booking fee and 2. still pay with e-vouchers/club card points?

If anyone here like Trainline website interface, I admit it is very user friendly, so much then I suggest they use one of the TOC (such as East Midland Trains) who uses the same interface but that way you can avoid the booking fee.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think I have seen events with free entry tickets that still attracted a booking fee.

I'm not entirely sure where I stand on booking fees. On the one hand they could just include all the costs of processing the booking and posting tickets into the ticket price, but that would mean that people who book in person would be subsidising those who do not.

Not really. There are costs to operating an in person box office too.

 

[Kite159]

I think I have seen events with free entry tickets that still attracted a booking fee.

I'm not entirely sure where I stand on booking fees. On the one hand they could just include all the costs of processing the booking and posting tickets into the ticket price, but that would mean that people who book in person would be subsidising those who do not.

One of the local theatres will charge you a booking fee even if you go to the box-office in person and paying cash, same fee as booking online and paying by credit card.

The ticket price should include all booking fees so the price which is advertised is the price which you pay.

 

[bicbasher]

IIRC Webuser magazine did something similar about The Trainline in an issue from a couple weeks ago...

...they suggested using Redspottedhanky as unlike The Trainline, RSH don't "hide" the extra booking fee :roll:

I read this in WebUser mag too recently. I trust them with dealing with software and PC recommendations, but their knowledge of railway sites is shocking.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Didnt know RSH started charging booking fees.....

In which case go direct with the operator. I still firmly believe in talking to a human, we know the platform connections etc that work better, eg Northallerton or Huddersfield instead of York, or via liverpool to chester is more reliable than Newton Le Willows. Computers dont know these things.

 

[Hadders]

Didnt know RSH started charging booking fees.....

In which case go direct with the operator. I still firmly believe in talking to a human, we know the platform connections etc that work better, eg Northallerton or Huddersfield instead of York, or via liverpool to chester is more reliable than Newton Le Willows. Computers dont know these things.

Sadly some booking clerks make things difficult for passengers though and make up their own rules. I use a mixture of purchasing on-line and at the booking office.

 

[SickyNicky]

we know the platform connections etc that work better, eg Northallerton or Huddersfield instead of York, or via liverpool to chester is more reliable than Newton Le Willows. Computers dont know these things.

Certainly for the first example, it's not so much that they don't know which are better interchanges - these things could be programmed in - it's more question of the rules for writing journey planners which say that, all other things being equal, interchanges should be offered at stations with higher interchange statuses. (brtimes.com will tell you the interchange status of a specific station).

For the second example, you may be assured that apps looking at past reliability for routes are being worked on.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Certainly for the first example, it's not so much that they don't know which are better interchanges - these things could be programmed in - it's more question of the rules for writing journey planners which say that, all other things being equal, interchanges should be offered at stations with higher interchange statuses.

What is a "better interchange" varies, though. If everything is working fine, it's daytime and it's a nice day, Northallerton may indeed be best. If it's throwing it down, freezing cold, 9pm on a Sunday evening and the service is in a mess and I need staff to assist, I'd far rather be at York. If it isn't possible to quantify in that way, better that it's *always* York.

 

[SickyNicky]

What is a "better interchange" varies, though. If everything is working fine, it's daytime and it's a nice day, Northallerton may indeed be best. If it's throwing it down, freezing cold, 9pm on a Sunday evening and the service is in a mess and I need staff to assist, I'd far rather be at York. If it isn't possible to quantify in that way, better that it's *always* York.

That's the point, exactly. A team of enthusiasts, such as ourselves, could put together a pretty good list of overrides to the "official" interchange statuses, but booking engines wouldn't be allowed to use them, under the current rules.

 

[sheff1]

What is a "better interchange" varies, though. If everything is working fine, it's daytime and it's a nice day, Northallerton may indeed be best. If it's throwing it down, freezing cold, 9pm on a Sunday evening and the service is in a mess and I need staff to assist, I'd far rather be at York. If it isn't possible to quantify in that way, better that it's *always* York.

I have never changed at Northallerton and doubt I ever will. York station is much better with an excellent range of facilities.

 

[WestCoast]

I've tried to use TPE a few times for the extra perks they give like the nectar points, but there's always been a problem when it comes to processing my card.

I often use London Midland out of habit online. I also think the Crosscountry app is very good, when downloaded it simply appears as "Train Tickets" on your phone. I don't travel much with Crosscountry but I often use it as it has no booking fee.

 

[DarloRich]

Most real people ( not spotters/enthusiasts like us) have no idea Trainline are not the cheapest out there.

Anything like this is a good weapon in changing perceptions