Out Manchester Piccadilly to Euston 28th Oct and return 8th November with Avanti West Coast. I was expecting to be able to get 1857 from Euston on 8th November as it's earliest off peak train that evening. When I booked (via LNER) there was no strike on 9th November so I didn't anticipate any issues but because there's now strikes on 7th and 9th Avanti haven't yet got a revised timetable for 8th November. I wondered where I stood re using my ticket as obviously I can't prove I was going to get the 1857 on 8th November as I have an open return. As I'm worried about getting home I also wondered if I could get an earlier peak train and pay the difference though I don't know how the difference is calculated in this instance.
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Rules / options returning with Off Peak Open Return if revised timetable
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I wouldn't expect the 18:57 to be cancelled on the day after a strike day. For most operators, only early morning services (before around 07:30/08:00) will be cancelled.
If you did need to make a claim of some sort, there's no requirement for you to 'prove' that you intended to take a particular service. If you wanted to use your Off-Peak Return at a time when it's not valid, you would need to pay the difference to the cheapest walk-up ticket that is valid - in theory, an Anytime Return, but a new Anytime Single costs less than the difference.
In fact, an Anytime Single to somewhere like Haymarket (in Edinburgh) would be cheaper, and valid via Manchester!
Because there'll have been virtually no trains on Euston-Manchester route for 3 or 4 days and same on the next day I can imagine it'll be mayhem if there's an 18.57, won't they just let those ppl on who have a ticket for that particular train? I can't seem to find Anytime Single fares for either destination on Trainline
There is generally still an hourly service from London to Manchester on RMT strike days - the same basic frequency as on a "normal" day (albeit with more limited hours of operation).
I've not heard of any such practice. If you're there in time and there's space, you'll get on. Once Avanti's strike timetable has been uploaded, you can make a seat reservation if you like.
An Anytime Single from London Terminals to Manchester is £184.70. One to Haymarket is £176.
My understanding is you can only reserve a seat if you've got a Return ticket or bought a single, you can't if you've got an Open Return. I can't afford an Anytime Single if that's the cost, I'll just have to take my chance and wait for first Off Peak I can get on or try to get a bus.
Am I excluded from any delay compensation because I've got an Open Return and wanted to get the 18.57?
You can reserve seat on open return, there's no restrictions on that. You can even reserve multiple services in practice though not advisable.
You can reserve a seat with any valid ticket. It doesn't matter whether it's a Day Return (which doesn't exist, anyway, between Manchester and London), a period return or something else (ranger, rover, season ticket, Interrail/BritRail pass etc.).
Whilst I don't doubt that services will be busy, I would be surprised if you had great difficulties making the journey.
If it helps, you can make a reservation once they're released (through customer services, any ticket office or online options such as GWR My Account), and look up the platform on RTT before it's announced, so that you can be at the front of the queue.
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