Delay repay on an open return?

[Simon Hans]

Is it possible to get a delay repay for a train that you chose to take, that was late in arriving at my destination (by 1 hour 1 minute if that makes a difference) - even if I didn’t have a ticket for that specific train.

It was the return portion of an open ticket, I didn’t have a seat reservation and the train was rammed so I stood the whole way.

 

[signed]

Of course yes

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is it possible to get a delay repay for a train that you chose to take, that was late in arriving at my destination (by 1 hour 1 minute if that makes a difference) - even if I didn’t have a ticket for that specific train.

It was the return portion of an open ticket, I didn’t have a seat reservation and the train was rammed so I stood the whole way.

Yes. You just state the train(s) you were using when you claim (honestly - it's largely on trust though scans on your ticket might evidence it).

It doesn't matter if your itinerary was something else, it's about the journey you actually did make.

The only reason it might not is if the trains you used had connections that weren't respecting of the minimum connection time.

 

[Simon Hans]

My ticket wasn’t scanned. Will that make a difference?

No connections. Direct from Kings Cross to Sunderland

 

[Cach17]

Last year I travelled from Leeds to London on an open return (aboard LNER instead of Northern/Grand Central after LNER strike action was abruptly called off) and I managed to get a full refund after a 60+ minute delay.

When I did the delay repay it asked for a photo of the ticket used.

 

[jfollows]

My ticket wasn’t scanned. Will that make a difference?

No, there’s an element of trust here.
There is no requirement to scan a ticket in the first place, so they have to cater for your circumstances.

 

[redreni]

My ticket wasn’t scanned. Will that make a difference?

No connections. Direct from Kings Cross to Sunderland

It may be good that your ticket wasn't scanned, as TOCs sometimes draw inferences fallaciously from any scan data they may be able to see. Scan data would only come into it, however, if they felt (rightly or wrongly) that it disproved your account of the journey you intended to make. You won't have a claim rejected purely because there is no scan data to corroborate your account - that situation is fairly common and they generally speaking just have to take the passenger's word for it in that case. Just tell them honestly what train you intended to catch and when you arrived at your destination and they should pay out accordingly.

Until the TOCs show that they can be trusted not to misuse scan data, my own view for what it's worth is the less of that kind of information they have the better.

 

[Simon Hans]

I am trying to submit my delay repay claim however it wants the price of the ticket.

What do I put in this box? I’m claiming for the return leg of the journey but I only have the price of the full journey as they were open returns and it doesn’t show a breakdown of outbound and return legs pricing.

 

[Hadders]

You put the price of the return ticket.

 

[Simon Hans]

You put the price of the return ticket.

So the full price paid for the entire journey?

 

[Haywain]

So the full price paid for the entire journey?

Yes, because that is the price of the ticket (not the "journey" which could mean just one way or the round trip). You are claiming for a delay to the journey from B to A made with a return ticket from A to B and back.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@Simon Hans. Who are you claiming from? Grand Central?

And when / which service was this? Think you have to be delayed by an hour before you get anything from them.

 

[Simon Hans]

Yes, because that is the price of the ticket (not the "journey" which could mean just one way or the round trip). You are claiming for a delay to the journey from B to A made with a return ticket from A to B and back.

Champion. Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 May 2025 ==

@Simon Hans. Who are you claiming from? Grand Central?

And when / which service was this? Think you have to be delayed by an hour before you get anything from them.

Yes grand central. It was a 62 minute delay

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Yes grand central. It was a 62 minute delay

12:57 departure last Friday? If so, think you'll likely get 25% of the return ticket price back as Delay Repay / Charter Compensation.

 

[Simon Hans]

12:57 departure last Friday? If so, think you'll likely get 25% of the return ticket price back as Delay Repay / Charter Compensation.

No. Return leg of the journey from Kings Cross to Sunderland, 13:50 Sunday 25th May

 

[Mcr Warrior]

No. Return leg of the journey from Kings Cross to Sunderland, 13:50 Sunday 25th May

Noted. Looks like it's potentially a valid claim. 25% due back.

 

[rubin]

so bad for grand Central, whereas in other companies you can claim 50% for a return ticket if delayed between 1-2 hours

 

[Watershed]

so bad for grand Central, whereas in other companies you can claim 50% for a return ticket if delayed between 1-2 hours

One of many reasons why I don't like or advise travelling with them. As you have experienced, their delay compensation policy is very stingy and only exceeds the legal minimum for delays of 3+ hours.