Season Tickets

[mwmbwls]

I am not sure where to post this question - so mods please feel free to move as necessary.

Is there a peak month for the renewal of annual season tickets - for example at the start of the calendar or academic year or in the last month before annual ticket price increases apply. In the case of the latter do the old prices apply for most of the new price year or is this factored into the ticket price?

Season ticket loans from employers seem common in the South East - Is this a widespread practiced across the rest of the country?

 

[higthomas]

December is probably the peak month before the price increase in January.
No, the old price applies entirely.

 

[noddingdonkey]

Loans are available from my employer in West Yorkshire.

 

[district]

December and the old price remains for the whole year.

If you then need a season ticket changeover, you pay the price of the new journey as it was on the day you bought your original season (so effectively at last years price too)

 

[DarloRich]

re loans: it really depends on your employer and the stance they want to take and how practical rail travel to work is. They are not some south east only thing. If your employer doesn't offer a scheme suggest that they do.

 

[kristiang85]

1st January is the last day of the 'old' fares, so I generally buy mine in mid-December for 1st Jan - 31st December.

Definitely ask your employer about loans - generally most will be willing if you have a long commute, certainly with large organisations. I usually apply for mine early December, then pay for the season ticket in mid-December.

Another hint with season tickets - I'm not sure what your credit card situation is, but if you want some savings - I'd apply for an American Express platinum, its £25 per year but you get 5% cashback for the first three months. So you can apply for that, and then buy your season ticket and get 5% cashback on it. If you don't like Amex you can shop around for other offers too (e.g. Nationwide, but they only do 0.5% right now on mine). If you know anybody with the Amex you can also get a referral code off them to waive the £25 as well.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

1st January is the last day of the 'old' fares, so I generally buy mine in mid-December for 1st Jan - 31st December.

Definitely ask your employer about loans - generally most will be willing if you have a long commute, certainly with large organisations. I usually apply for mine early December, then pay for the season ticket in mid-December.

Another hint with season tickets - I'm not sure what your credit card situation is, but if you want some savings - I'd apply for an American Express platinum, its £25 per year but you get 5% cashback for the first three months. So you can apply for that, and then buy your season ticket and get 5% cashback on it. If you don't like Amex you can shop around for other offers too (e.g. Nationwide, but they only do 0.5% right now on mine). If you know anybody with the Amex you can also get a referral code off them to waive the £25 as well.

Seconded - even after the introductory bonus Amex are good value at 1.25% cashback. Use Tandem, Amazon, Aqua Reward, Nationwide etc. etc. for 0.5% back with Visa/Mastercard.