Rebooking tickets and reservations

[David57]

I have booked a 1st class ALR, and booked berths on three sleepers (two Scottish, and one FGW).

The problem I have is that circumstances beyond my control (thank you large stripey bus company) mean that I have to postpone my week on a train by four weeks.

I booked my ALR at Euston, along with my Serco sleeper berths, and my FGW sleepers via the FGW telesales phone line.

My question is, how can I rebook to suit my new dates (four weeks later), can my local station (the usually excellent Northampton) handle this, or do I need a trip to Euston, where I booked the original ALR and reservations?

I appreciate that I may have to pay a fee for changes, but any thoughts would be welcolme

Thanks in advance.

 

[Merseysider]

Make sure you get the ALR changed before its validity commences. As it's £724, another £10 to push it back four weeks shouldn't hurt too much Any station is capable of doing this.

Scotrail's website says:

Sleeper reservations may be cancelled up to 4pm on the day before travel. A cancellation charge will be made which will vary depending when the reservations are actually cancelled.

No refund will be considered after time of Sleeper departure except in exceptional circumstances.

I would guesstimate that changing the reservations with SR shouldn't set you back more than £20.

I couldn't find any info on FGW and their Riviera but I assume they'll have a similar policy, both being First brands. (Until 31 March anyway!)

 

[bb21]

There is no mention of changes to the travel plan when holding a berth supplement for the Night Riviera in The Manual. The only relevant reference is to the refund of the "berth charge element" so I suspect that a refund and re-booking may need to be done. The refund on the berth element is 75% of the charge if cancelled no later than 1600 on the day before the date of travel, 50% if between then and the advertised departure time, and no refund thereafter.

 

[David57]

Tried to amend my ALR at Northampton this morning, but they were quite emphatic that that the ticket could only be amended at the station where it was issued (Euston)...
As for sleeper amendments....
Trip to Euston on my next rest day.

 

[Merseysider]

Tried to amend my ALR at Northampton this morning, but they were quite emphatic that that the ticket could only be amended at the station where it was issued (Euston)...
As for sleeper amendments....
Trip to Euston on my next rest day.

Some will argue there is a case for refunds to be done at the station of purchase but any station can amend a ticket. It either boils down to lack of training or effort.

You may find it easier (and quicker) to amend the sleeper res by telephone.

 

[David57]

All sorted thanks to a very helpful chap at Euston travel centre!

 

[yorkie]

Tried to amend my ALR at Northampton this morning, but they were quite emphatic that that the ticket could only be amended at the station where it was issued (Euston)....

Not true, however the place where it was issued may be more lenient with regards the admin fee and might waive it. If the ALR and reservations were all obtained from the same place, and you ask for all the amendments at the same time you may find discretion is shown and only one admin fee applied.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

All sorted thanks to a very helpful chap at Euston travel centre!

Glad to hear it's sorted

 

[David57]

Yorkie, I have managed to delete your PM, can you resend please!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Discretion was shown by the senior clerk, who didn't charge me for the amendments, also (I believe) showing other members of staff (in a training role) how to amend tickets that they may have not been familiar with.

A credit to the Euston booking office.

 

[yorkie]

Great to hear

While Northampton were not quite right in what they said, it is true it's best to go to the original issuing station where possible.

Euston is variable, but there are certainly good people there, as you discovered.