Do FGW offer 'club55' fares?

[laphroaig]

Hello, I'm looking to travel London to Truro the week after next, out the 21st back the 22nd. I have found reasonable(ish) fares for myself, but my query involves the fares for my over 55 travel companions.

On the 'eastcoast' booking engine which I usually favour (as I can book my bike!) there appear to be 'Club 55' fares of £35 rtn std or £55 rtn 1st, which is a lot cheaper than anything poor 30-something me can get! However, when I go through the booking process it gets stuck at the delivery options so I'm unable to buy this fare. It looks as though it is a 'turn up and go' fare so can I advise my companions to buy it on the day at Paddington? I'm a bit suspicious, 'cos I looked on the Great Western site and this fare didn't come up at all, also on 'eastcoast' the fare seems to be called 'First TPE' which I'm guessing is transpennine, despite my journey being many miles from any of their routes.

Basically, to clarify my query, is this an anomaly, or can an over 55 get from London to Truro and back for £35/55 this month, buying on the day of travel??

P.S. First post, I hope some of you knowledgeable folks can help.

 

[glenbogle]

First Scotrail and First Trans Penine are so you would imagine First Great Western would too.
Phone their Customer Relations dept to clarify 08457 000 125 (open daily, 0700 to 2200).

 

[dzug2]

FGW have been known to offer Club55 fares but they are not currently on sale.

There are rumours of an autumn offer starting later this month but I haven't seen any confirmation of it yet. In the past it has always been a walk on offer - £25 standard return from memory

So the answer to the question is - maybe.

 

[bnm]

On sale from the 12th September for travel from the 19th.

 

[Flamingo]

No FGW staff briefing on it yet (at least in my depot)...

 

[bnm]

No FGW staff briefing on it yet (at least in my depot)...

I've seen the retail brief (well, seen a clerk read from it) issued to ticket office staff.

 

[Flamingo]

Oh well, at least somebody knows about it!

 

[laphroaig]

Good stuff, that sounds promising, I'm glad I held off from buying Advances for the older guys, these look like a very good deal. I'm a bit miffed I don't qualify myself, I wonder if I dyed the hair grey and had a really heavy night beforehand I could pass for 55?!

Joking aside, I assume they would need to bring age I.D.?

Thanks all for the information anyway.

 

[dzug2]

There's usually another £5 off for senior railcard holders if that helps them

I'm pretty sure they ask for ID.