Quick question about season ticket photocards

[pennine]

Just a quick question. My aunty and uncle are going to London on Monday for 4 nights, and have asked me earlier today if I can sort out travel for while they are there. I have determined given their requirements that a 7 day z1 - 2 travel card would be most appropriate for them.

They would rather get the ticket before leaving on Monday and require a photocard for the ticket to be purchased. As the local booking office is only open on a part time basis and not open when both have finished work, would I be able to get their photocard on their behalf. I have their contact details and passport photos, but wanted to double check.trave

 

[transmanche]

Just a quick question. My aunty and uncle are going to London on Monday for 4 nights, and have asked me earlier today if I can sort out travel for while they are there. I have determined given their requirements that a 7 day z1 - 2 travel card would be most appropriate for them.

They would rather get the ticket before leaving on Monday and require a photocard for the ticket to be purchased. As the local booking office is only open on a part time basis and not open when both have finished work, would I be able to get their photocard on their behalf. I have their contact details and passport photos, but wanted to double check.trave

If you purchase it on Oyster, then no photocard is required. (Although you're cutting it a bit fine to get them in the post now.)

 

[pennine]

If you purchase it on Oyster, then no photocard is required. (Although you're cutting it a bit fine to get them in the post now.)

was going to get the season at my local booking office / southern website to collect from tvm,

 

[CyrusWuff]

If you purchase it on Oyster, then no photocard is required. (Although you're cutting it a bit fine to get them in the post now.)

It should be noted, however, that Travelcards issued on Oyster DO NOT entitle the holder to make use of the "London 2 for 1" offers. You need a paper ticket issued by a TOC for that...

 

[Greenback]

It should be noted, however, that Travelcards issued on Oyster DO NOT entitle the holder to make use of the "London 2 for 1" offers. You need a paper ticket issued by a TOC for that...

Indeed, and if this was a factor in determining that a 7 day paper Travelcard was the best option, Oyster will be a no go.

 

[Deerfold]

It should be noted, however, that Travelcards issued on Oyster DO NOT entitle the holder to make use of the "London 2 for 1" offers. You need a paper ticket issued by a TOC for that...

Given the effort in London to move everyone to Oyster that's a bit crap isn't it?

 

[Greenback]

Given the effort in London to move everyone to Oyster that's a bit crap isn't it?

It's a bit of a loophole, in my view. The 2-4-1's are really intended to encourage people to use National Rail services to visit London, rather than (presumably) the car, plane and coach.

The fact that National Rail issued travelcards are accepted (because they are National Rail tickets) is a massive benefit for visitors, including overseas tourists, that was probably not really that intentional when the scheme started!

If the OP's relatives are unable to access their local ticket office, I would recommend that they pruchase the seasons themselves on arrival in London. It isn't difficult provided that they have their photos with them, and although it may involve waiting in a queue, at least the clerks will be used to selling them!

 

[transmanche]

Given the effort in London to move everyone to Oyster that's a bit crap isn't it?

They don't even let you use paper One Day Travelcards issued by TfL!

 

[CyrusWuff]

Given the effort in London to move everyone to Oyster that's a bit crap isn't it?

It's a bit of a loophole, in my view. The 2-4-1's are really intended to encourage people to use National Rail services to visit London, rather than (presumably) the car, plane and coach.

They don't even let you use paper One Day Travelcards issued by TfL!

Given that these particular 2 for 1 are promoted by ATOC, they have no interest in allowing tickets issued by a "competitor" (i.e. TfL) to be used in conjunction with the offer.

There is one caveat to the "not valid with Oyster" stipulation, however, which is that holders of Annual Travelcards issued on Oyster can use the 2 for 1 offer, upon presentation of their Gold Record Card. I would assume this would have to be TOC issued rather than a TfL issue.

As an aside, National Express have recently started offering their own "2 for 1" offers for many of the same attractions when you travel by coach. Details can be found here.

 

[Deerfold]

If I was going to London for a week (or advising friends/relatives) I'd advise getting tickets to/from London then an Oystercard. We'd only be able to use the 2-for-1 offers on the first day even if we caught NR services every day. That doesn't sound like a great way of encouraging NR use to the attractions.

What percentage of trips on NR within London are on Oyster? I suspect it's fairly high.

 

[Greenback]

If I was going to London for a week (or advising friends/relatives) I'd advise getting tickets to/from London then an Oystercard. We'd only be able to use the 2-for-1 offers on the first day even if we caught NR services every day. That doesn't sound like a great way of encouraging NR use to the attractions.

What percentage of trips on NR within London are on Oyster? I suspect it's fairly high.

The 2-4-1 offers can be used during the period between the Outward and Return portions. The only problem, therefore, is remembering you need to keep your Outward portion on arrival in London.

We will be in London over Easter and will be using our Oysters for travelling about, and the rail tickets to and from London for the 2-4-1's.

 

[Deerfold]

The 2-4-1 offers can be used during the period between the Outward and Return portions. The only problem, therefore, is remembering you need to keep your Outward portion on arrival in London.

We will be in London over Easter and will be using our Oysters for travelling about, and the rail tickets to and from London for the 2-4-1's.

Does that work with 2 advances?

 

[transmanche]

Does that work with 2 advances?

Yes, it does.

 

[Greenback]

We're travelling on Advances, so it had better!

 

[ASharpe]

I've had no problem using 2 for 1 on advance tickets between the two dates.

Recently at the zoo I had a Guildford-london travelcard and my girlfriend had a Guildford to Leeds advance and that was no problem.

Personally I prefer to have a one of the paper leaflets from the station listing the offers. I prefer the small vouchers in the back to having to print out specific ones.

 

[Deerfold]

Yes, it does.

Thanks.

Another reason to not want your ticket to be swallowed by a barrier of course.

 

[pennine]

Got the photocards no problem. Just two things that confuse me. 1) Zones 1 - 2 travelcard - I can no longer purchase these online (normally online I use Kings Cross to Elephant and Castle and be able to select the travelcard option. Now its only zones 1-6.

2) You can in theory buy weekly travelcard on Southern, but it states that it should be collected from a Southern TVM, despite offering my local station up north as an option to collect.

Will probably print a summary of what they need and tell them to get it at the other end. Just annoying that I couldn't get things done at this end for them.

 

[londonboi]

With the recent price increases if my memory serves me correct they scrapped the Z1-2 Travel card and now you get a Z1-6

 

[bb21]

With the recent price increases if my memory serves me correct they scrapped the Z1-2 Travel card and now you get a Z1-6

That is correct for Off-Peak Day Travelcards.