New Avanti Web Site Layout

[DaveB10780]

Today I try and book some off peak returns from Stockport to Euston on the Avanti web site.

The screen layouts seem to have changed, initially it comes with a long list of trains and the single fare so no return available. I have to select two single tickets and proceed to the final selection screen. On this next screen there are again many options (Advanaced Single, Off Peak Single, Anytime Single blah blah) you have to scroll to the bottom of the screen to get the return fare option which is cheaper than any of the fixed train tickets.

I am not informed this is the cheapest option so why are they allowed to be so awkward. Is this another pointer to how things are going to change I wonder.

 

[speedy1]

That is egregious and hard to believe not designed to deliberately mislead and charge higher fares / condition people for single-leg pricing

Luckily a better booking website exist. Let's spread the word

 

[CheapAndNerdy]

Yes that feels...misleading. You can avoid this though; when selecting the return date/time there is an option at the top of the pop-up to select "Anytime (Open return)". This will then result in just return type tickets being offered.

 

[MrJeeves]

Erm...

 

[Bletchleyite]

That is egregious and hard to believe not designed to deliberately mislead and charge higher fares / condition people for single-leg pricing

Given how dire the Avanti website was before, never assume malice when incompetence is a far more likely explanation...

 

[DaveB10780]

Yes that feels...misleading. You can avoid this though; when selecting the return date/time there is an option at the top of the pop-up to select "Anytime (Open return)". This will then result in just return type tickets being offered.

Yes I figured as much but then how do I reserve seats on the train I want without more faff (my time, harder to book the specific type of seat the passengers prefer, also to choose the less sunny side of the train)

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Erm...

View attachment 206698

First GWR, are Avanti now printing free tickets too? (With applicable outbound purchase)

 

[MrJeeves]

First GWR, are Avanti now printing free tickets too? (With applicable outbound purchase)

Thankfully for them, it doesn't let you get to checkout.

 

[Adam Williams]

Does anyone actually accredit TOC work, or is it just a massive free-for-all where anything goes?

 

[MrJeeves]

Does anyone actually accredit TOC work, or is it just a massive free-for-all where anything goes?

GBR Retail will fix everything.

 

[Trackman]

GBR Retail will fix everything.

Well, once its launched the thread on this subject in the forums is going to be very busy.

 

[Kite159]

GBR Retail will fix everything.

Aka Trainline with extra union flags


As for the change to Avanti website, someone high up doesn't like off-peak return tickets as they cap prices at weekends, no doubt the website will sell 2 advance singles for more than an off-peak return (at times when the return ticket is valid) without flagging up the passenger can save money by booking the flexible ticket

 

[81A]

Aka Trainline with extra union flags

Unless they award the contract to Pico4UK (who do the Avanti one)

 

[OscarH]

Aka Trainline with extra union flags

Well, LNER is usually the example baby, so they could take their site

 

[Tom]

Well, LNER is usually the example baby, so they could take their site

You don’t need to be able to book multiple tickets in one transaction anyway.

 

[dvboy]

Just been using the new Avanti website (as I have BLC discount otherwise would book elsewhere) and the only way I can get it to book a same day return journey on 1 August, using advances each way is to book them separately

Firstly had the flexi season issue shown above
Secondly it told me there were no seat reservations available*
Thirdly when it tried to re-search for a second journey it would only let me select dates up to 15 July.


*this was the same when searching for the outward journey on its own, I think it's showing the Partner Offer ticket available for all journeys even when the advances are sold out

Bring back the old website!

 

[yorkie]

Today I try and book some off peak returns from Stockport to Euston on the Avanti web site.

The screen layouts seem to have changed, initially it comes with a long list of trains and the single fare so no return available. I have to select two single tickets and proceed to the final selection screen. On this next screen there are again many options (Advanaced Single, Off Peak Single, Anytime Single blah blah) you have to scroll to the bottom of the screen to get the return fare option which is cheaper than any of the fixed train tickets.

I am not informed this is the cheapest option so why are they allowed to be so awkward. Is this another pointer to how things are going to change I wonder.

Is there some discount you get on the Avanti website?

If not, i would suggest the "open return" option on the forum's ticketing site.

Does anyone actually accredit TOC work, or is it just a massive free-for-all where anything goes?

There is no doubt that RDG are far more lenient when it comes to compliance on TOC websites compared to third party sites.

Good people within TOCs such as Avanti, LNER etc have told me they are powerless to do anything and find it frustrating how their colleagues can get away with such incompetence, as well as awaring contracts to incomptence contractors.

I think this is a deep-rooted cultural matter and there is no organisation or individual who has the desire, power and knowledge to do anything to get TOCs to behave themselves.

 

[DaveB10780]

Is there some discount you get on the Avanti website?

If not, i would suggest the "open return" option on the forum's ticketing site.

I know the forum site is much better to book but free Club Avanti return tickets in premium and even once first class are hard to ignore.

 

[yorkie]

I know the forum site is much better to book but free Club Avanti return tickets in premium and even once first class are hard to ignore.

OK, but that does mean often paying higher fares, and a poorer user experience.

 

[Russel]

Erm...

View attachment 206698

I got that on Saturday, thought I'd had a result!

OK, but that does mean often paying higher fares, and a poorer user experience.

How does the forums prices differ from what is available though any of the TOC websites directly?

Agree about the forum layout being much better, but as DaveB10780, the Club Avanti benefits are worth the small annoyance.

 

[yorkie]

I got that on Saturday, thought I'd had a result!



How does the forums prices differ from what is available though any of the TOC websites directly?

TOCs often charge more for 'premium' journeys, especially at 'peak' times.

The price is the same if no premium is charged, and it's a through fare.

Agree about the forum layout being much better, but as DaveB10780, the Club Avanti benefits are worth the small annoyance.

Then you just have to accept Pico4UK's utter incompetence if you make that choice.

Pico4UK have always been incompetent and always will be (but I doubt they will be around much longer; GBR will put a stop to the separate TOC sites)

 

[Russel]

TOCs often charge more for 'premium' journeys, especially at 'peak' times.

The price is the same if no premium is charged, and it's a through fare.

Then you just have to accept Pico4UK's utter incompetence if you make that choice.

Pico4UK have always been incompetent and always will be (but I doubt they will be around much longer; GBR will put a stop to the separate TOC sites)

While it's not the best site in the world, I can't say I've ever had an issue booking via the Avanti website or noticed any difference in price.

Rail travel is expensive and a free journey, especially first or standard premium isn't something to turn down in favour of a better booking experience.

 

[DaveB10780]

OK, but that does mean often paying higher fares, and a poorer user experience.

Maybe I am lucky but 2 hours from Stockport to London or 2 hours 45 from Furness Vale is only about £75 return off peak with railcard. Not so easy to beat that for the same journey.

 

[yorkie]

While it's not the best site in the world, I can't say I've ever had an issue booking via the Avanti website or noticed any difference in price.

Two random searches:

Manchester-London

£132 vs £175

Lichfield - Glasgow

£69 vs £116

Rail travel is expensive and a free journey, especially first or standard premium isn't something to turn down in favour of a better booking experience.

I agree some - not all - people are happy to pay more and have a poorer experience for the occasional free journey.

Indeed, the people who use the Avanti site admit they will continue to do so; the message to Avanti is clear: continue to be cheapskates and use Pico4UK as customers will book with them regardless. No need for any improvements as it'll make no difference to the captive audience who are happy to put up with a poor experience.

 

[Russel]

I agree some - not all - people are happy to pay more and have a poorer experience for the occasional free journey.

Indeed, the people who use the Avanti site admit they will continue to do so; the message to Avanti is clear: continue to be cheapskates and use Pico4UK as customers will book with them regardless. No need for any improvements as it'll make no difference to the captive audience who are happy to put up with a poor experience.

What is the criteria that triggers the increased prices on certain journeys? It's not something I was actually aware of.

I've just done a couple of random searches myself for peak time journeys and certain journeys do have a difference, yet others are the same price.

For me, I do a return journey from Tamworth/Lichfield to Euston once a month usually booked a few weeks in advance and it usually comes to about £30 return max so any saving for me is going to be minimal and the free first class journey that I can use on for a day trip to Edinburgh will more than cover it.

I get what you're saying about Avanit not making improvements if people continue to use their site, but as I said, I've never really had any issues with it.

 

[yorkie]

What is the criteria that triggers the increased prices on certain journeys? It's not something I was actually aware of.

There is no specific criteria.

 

[81A]

Indeed, the people who use the Avanti site admit they will continue to do so; the message to Avanti is clear: continue to be cheapskates and use Pico4UK as customers will book with them regardless. No need for any improvements as it'll make no difference to the captive audience who are happy to put up with a poor experience.

Makes me fear for the GBR site (since the TOCs are already doing what the DFT tells them, as far as I know)… I find myself imagining a dreadful white label of Pico4UK or the National Rail website (with ticket sales added)…

 

[OscarH]

Makes me fear for the GBR site (since the TOCs are already doing what the DFT tells them, as far as I know)… I find myself imagining a dreadful white label of Pico4UK or the National Rail website (with ticket sales added)…

The most important thing is that independent retailers stay independent through the move to GBR, and keep being able to operate their own journey planners and fulfilment systems so they can innovate and provide better alternatives.

 

[81A]

The most important thing is that independent retailers stay independent through the move to GBR, and keep being able to operate their own journey planners and fulfilment systems so they can innovate and provide better alternatives.

Absolutely! And that commission is maintained and fees kept low enough to enable the third parties to fairly compete.