Rail Travel Vouchers.

[David57]

I have a few RTVs that are due to expire shortly.
I have no plans for travel until after the expiry date, can i go to my local station, and buy a railcard with them, as I would hate to waste them!
Thanks.

 

[Mojo]

lf you’re near a NR station that does Oyster you can also topup an Oyster card with them

 

[AlterEgo]

I have a few RTVs that are due to expire shortly.
I have no plans for travel until after the expiry date, can i go to my local station, and buy a railcard with them, as I would hate to waste them!
Thanks.

You only need to book before the expiry date, not travel - you have no plans at all even in the next three months?

Just checking.

 

[David57]

An lazy afternoon planning stuff, so they will not go to waste (amazing how far £70.00 will take you)!

 

[father_jack]

GWR (at least if not other TOCs) will "refresh" them if you send them back.

 

[Elecman]

Ive asked Virgin to redate some of mine as the staff at the booking office said they were valid to a date and when I went on that date to book a ticket the staff on duty said they had expired.

 

[robbeech]

I need to get a couple ‘refreshed’
They were rejected at a ticket office with over a month to go because they apparently wouldn’t scan, though the method the member of staff was using was clearly not one direct from her training. Unfortunately I have had no use to use them since that time, I will make a point and get them replaced.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Ive asked Virgin to redate some of mine as the staff at the booking office said they were valid to a date and when I went on that date to book a ticket the staff on duty said they had expired.

No they're valid for 12 months from a date. People often get confused with this thinking 1st Jan to 1st Jan is a year for example. It isn't, 31st December would be the expiry date.

 

[westv]

RTVs should be consigned to the dustbin of history.

 

[route:oxford]

I have a few RTVs that are due to expire shortly.
I have no plans for travel until after the expiry date, can i go to my local station, and buy a railcard with them, as I would hate to waste them!
Thanks.

Who issued them?

I'm sure when Scotrail sent me the regular £5 apology for their ongoing system failures, that the letter said I could exchange it for cash at my local manned station on presentation of ID.

 

[Llanigraham]

RTVs should be consigned to the dustbin of history.

A statement with no supporting arguement!
Perhaps you would like to explain why and what you intend to replace them with?

 

[Elecman]

No they're valid for 12 months from a date. People often get confused with this thinking 1st Jan to 1st Jan is a year for example. It isn't, 31st December would be the expiry date.

And that is the point I specifically asked when the vouchers were valid to and was told the following day by a member of the booking office staff then the following day advised they expired the day before. As I could have returned later to buy the tickets on the previous day once I had the details of the journey my daughter needed to make.

 

[westv]

A statement with no supporting arguement!
Perhaps you would like to explain why and what you intend to replace them with?

They're even more pointless than gift vouchers - another product that can only be used t0 buy a product from the issuer and which often have expiry dates.
They've already got a better alternative, cash or cheque.

 

[185143]

They're even more pointless than gift vouchers - another product that can only be used t0 buy a product from the issuer and which often have expiry dates.
They've already got a better alternative, cash or cheque.

You can use an RTV to buy tickets from any TOC apart from Heathrow Express.

 

[AlterEgo]

You can use an RTV to buy tickets from any TOC apart from Heathrow Express.

You can use money to buy anything you like.

 

[Hadders]

RTVs are not useless. Not everyone has a bank account. Sometimes they are useful as a gesture of goodwill which makes sure the revenue generated from them returns to the rail industry.

 

[185143]

You can use money to buy anything you like.

Obviously. Merely responding to the point that they are valid for more than just the issuing TOC (or else then they would be pointless unless you travel in an area dominated entirely by that TOC)

 

[AlterEgo]

Obviously. Merely responding to the point that they are valid for more than just the issuing TOC (or else then they would be pointless unless you travel in an area dominated entirely by that TOC)

Ah right yes I didn’t notice the “issuer” bit.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

RTVs should be consigned to the dustbin of history.

I used to be of that opinion. However, after I realised that RTV is an acceptable method of payment under the NRCoT, and so, when using one, you don't have to buy before you board, if there is no staffed/open ticket office, I turned of persuasion somewhat.

 

[Llanigraham]

They're even more pointless than gift vouchers - another product that can only be used t0 buy a product from the issuer and which often have expiry dates.
They've already got a better alternative, cash or cheque.

And?
They are valid for 12 months, and can be used to purchase another rail ticket.
The proceedure to claim for in proposal is exactly the same as issueing vouchers, but potentially more expensive and more risky.

Funnily enough the last lot I received (ATW) I was given no choice in how it was paid, so there was no alternative.

 

[bicbasher]

RTV's have been used in the past by charitable organisations and social services to give to people who can't afford to travel.

 

[bb21]

I used to be of that opinion. However, after I realised that RTV is an acceptable method of payment under the NRCoT, and so, when using one, you don't have to buy before you board, if there is no staffed/open ticket office, I turned of persuasion somewhat.

I'm not sure it is wise to say it like this.

 

[westv]

Obviously. Merely responding to the point that they are valid for more than just the issuing TOC (or else then they would be pointless unless you travel in an area dominated entirely by that TOC)

When I said issuer I meant just rail generically.

 

[westv]

And?
They are valid for 12 months, and can be used to purchase another rail ticket.
The proceedure to claim for in proposal is exactly the same as issueing vouchers, but potentially more expensive and more risky.

.

So, if you don't need to purchase another rail ticket you're stuffed.
Risky? Expensive? If it was that risky or expensive then TOCs wouldn't be required to issue cheques/ cash now.

 

[westv]

I used to be of that opinion. However, after I realised that RTV is an acceptable method of payment under the NRCoT, and so, when using one, you don't have to buy before you board, if there is no staffed/open ticket office, I turned of persuasion somewhat.

Is that not exactly the same as cash?

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Is that not exactly the same as cash?

Except that there are, AFAIK, no ticket machines which accept RTVs - whilst there still are plenty of ticket machines which accept cash.

 

[Adsy125]

Another query, are RTVs always valid as part payment? I've had a guard say that he couldn't accept a voucher so I HAD to pay the fare in full, which I did. Is there anywhere in the Conditions of travel that says if this is/is not the case? Thanks

 

[Merseysider]

It says on the voucher that they may be used as part payment.

 

[Adsy125]

It says on the voucher that they may be used as part payment.

Oh, I though I remembered seeing something bit i couldn't find it anywhere! Thanks very much. For anyone concerned the text reads

You can use this voucher at any station or rail-appointed Travel Agent as full or part payment for travel on services of the principal Train companies, subject to any notes shown overleaf.

 

[BlueFox]

RTVs should be consigned to the dustbin of history.

Given the choice, I'd rather have RTVs than cash.
I save them up until I have enough for a rover ticket, so I can have a few 'free' days out.
Mrs Bluefox doesn't mind me going out for a few days if it's not costing anything...



A few days ago I received an email from Transpennine, saying they'd approved a delay claim I made a month ago.
I'd requested RTVs, but the email said "In order to ensure that you are reimbursed quickly, a decision has been made to reimburse you by cheque". They then go on to say the cheque would arrive in the next 15 working days.

Any idea why sending cheques would be quicker - or why it can take so long to send them after they've approved the claim?