All,
Some weeks ago I sent an email to FCC, telling them what I thought of their Print @ Home scheme.
I notice with interest that FCC are selling 'Print at Home' tickets for
travel between Luton Airport and London Thameslink, but I am
disappointed to see that they are of poor value for the following reasons:
* Each Standard and First Class P@H single in either direction costs £10
and £16 respectively, regardless of how far in advance you intend to
travel.
* Each P@H ticket is valid for departure within a mere 2-hour interval
that is set upon purchase.
* The P@H wbesite does not clarify whether these tickets are also valid
with East Midlands Trains between London St Pancras and Luton Airport
Parkway or not.
* Unlike walk-up tickets, P@H tickets are non-exchangeable and
non-refundable.
* A Standard Open Return is only £2 more expensive than two Standard
Class P@H singles but is fully flexible.
* Outside of the peak, Cheap Day Returns and Off Peak Day Travelcards
are better value at £12 and £18 respectively (there are no P@H
outboundary Travelcards anyway), and a combination of a Standard Day
Return for the shuttle and a First Cheap Day Return between London and
Parkway is better value compared to both Standard and First Class P@H
tickets.
* P@H tickets are not subject to Railcard discounts, and for that reason
they are of even poorer value to Railcard holders.
I would like to know what percentage of tickets sold for travel between
Luton Airport and London are P@H tickets, and I suggest that FCC reduce
the prices of their P@H tickets, particularly for journeys further in
advance.
And this is their reply.
Thank you for contacting First Capital Connect. I was sorry to learn that you are unhappy with the value for money of the Air Connect Print at Home tickets we now offer.
With any special promotion of this nature, the value for money offered by the ticket is offset by additional conditions concerning its validity on our services. I do note, however, that you do not view this added value to be significant enough to accommodate for the drawbacks concerned. As a new promotion, the Air Connect ticket is under constant review, and I appreciate the suggestions and implied suggestions that you have presented. I have been in contact with our Fares & Pricing manager to pass on these comments, and acquire some extra details for you.
I noted that it was unclear whether or not the tickets are also valid on East Midlands Trains services. I am able to confirm that, as the fare is a dedicated fare for First Capital Connect, the tickets are not valid on the services of other Train Operating Companies. Approximately 25% of the tickets bought for travel with us from Luton to London are Air Connect tickets at present.
Thank you again for contacting First Capital Connect.
To start the ball rolling - how the hell do they manage to sell a quarter of their LUA-London tickets in the P@H format considering their poor value?!
Some weeks ago I sent an email to FCC, telling them what I thought of their Print @ Home scheme.
I notice with interest that FCC are selling 'Print at Home' tickets for
travel between Luton Airport and London Thameslink, but I am
disappointed to see that they are of poor value for the following reasons:
* Each Standard and First Class P@H single in either direction costs £10
and £16 respectively, regardless of how far in advance you intend to
travel.
* Each P@H ticket is valid for departure within a mere 2-hour interval
that is set upon purchase.
* The P@H wbesite does not clarify whether these tickets are also valid
with East Midlands Trains between London St Pancras and Luton Airport
Parkway or not.
* Unlike walk-up tickets, P@H tickets are non-exchangeable and
non-refundable.
* A Standard Open Return is only £2 more expensive than two Standard
Class P@H singles but is fully flexible.
* Outside of the peak, Cheap Day Returns and Off Peak Day Travelcards
are better value at £12 and £18 respectively (there are no P@H
outboundary Travelcards anyway), and a combination of a Standard Day
Return for the shuttle and a First Cheap Day Return between London and
Parkway is better value compared to both Standard and First Class P@H
tickets.
* P@H tickets are not subject to Railcard discounts, and for that reason
they are of even poorer value to Railcard holders.
I would like to know what percentage of tickets sold for travel between
Luton Airport and London are P@H tickets, and I suggest that FCC reduce
the prices of their P@H tickets, particularly for journeys further in
advance.
And this is their reply.
Thank you for contacting First Capital Connect. I was sorry to learn that you are unhappy with the value for money of the Air Connect Print at Home tickets we now offer.
With any special promotion of this nature, the value for money offered by the ticket is offset by additional conditions concerning its validity on our services. I do note, however, that you do not view this added value to be significant enough to accommodate for the drawbacks concerned. As a new promotion, the Air Connect ticket is under constant review, and I appreciate the suggestions and implied suggestions that you have presented. I have been in contact with our Fares & Pricing manager to pass on these comments, and acquire some extra details for you.
I noted that it was unclear whether or not the tickets are also valid on East Midlands Trains services. I am able to confirm that, as the fare is a dedicated fare for First Capital Connect, the tickets are not valid on the services of other Train Operating Companies. Approximately 25% of the tickets bought for travel with us from Luton to London are Air Connect tickets at present.
Thank you again for contacting First Capital Connect.
To start the ball rolling - how the hell do they manage to sell a quarter of their LUA-London tickets in the P@H format considering their poor value?!
