TOCs "Book With Confidence" Ticket Refund Scheme Expire Date?

[westv]

I asked this question in one of the Covid forum threads but, thinking about it, I think it's more suited to this part of the forum.
Does anybody know if the "travel with confidence" ticket refund scheme will still end 31/12 or if there are now any plans to extend?

 

[Wallsendmag]

Haven't heard anything.

 

[westv]

Haven't heard anything.

Ok thanks.

 

[westv]

I'll assume now that an extension is likely.

 

[AntoniC]

I'll assume now that an extension is likely.

Assume nothing because the Government makes the decision

 

[alistairlees]

I wouldn't be so pessimistic.

 

[Mike99]

Hi, Can I ask, is the scheme for tickets dated for travel up to 31/12/21 or is that the date that you have to activate contact with the the TOC whom the tickets were purchased from with a travel date during, lets say, January 2022.
Regards, Mike

 

[Haywain]

Hi, Can I ask, is the scheme for tickets dated for travel up to 31/12/21 or is that the date that you have to activate contact with the the TOC whom the tickets were purchased from with a travel date during, lets say, January 2022.
Regards, Mike

The wording from the brief to staff is:

Advance ticket bookings can be exchanged to travel at a different time or date fee-free, until 31 December 2021.

As this does not state that it is restricted to travel dates to 31st December, it must mean changes are allowed until then.

 

[Mike99]

Many Thanks 'Haywain', I have Advances to go to London at the start of January, reports are saying the current new variant cases are quite high in London, although I have 2 jabs and a Booster, I think I'll go for an e ticket voucher.

 

[jrh2254]

The wording from the brief to staff is:

As this does not state that it is restricted to travel dates to 31st December, it must mean changes are allowed until then.

Thanks , so looks like it does not apply to standard open return tickets? I wonder why advance it does but standard day return tickets are not covered? Is there a good reason? Thanks.

 

[Watershed]

The scheme has been extended to 31 March 2022.

Thanks , so looks like it does not apply to standard open return tickets? I wonder why advance it does but standard day return tickets are not covered? Is there a good reason? Thanks.

Apparently walk-up tickets can already be changed fee-free. I'm not sure under what scheme that's supposed to be the case.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Apparently walk-up tickets can already be changed fee-free. I'm not sure under what scheme that's supposed to be the case.

That's part of the standard refund procedures and has applied for a number of years, if not dating back to BR days.

Unfortunately, there's no public documentation for this, but it appears on the "Refunds - daily tickets (including One Day Travelcards" page on Knowledgebase. The relevant extract being:

When not to charge an administration fee

• Do not charge a fee if the ticket being returned for refund could not be used because of changed circumstance resulting in the customer having to buy another ticket (e.g. customer purchased a Off-Peak ticket in advance but had to travel on a date earlier than originally intended, which meant another Off-Peak ticket had to be purchased).

 

[Starmill]

That's part of the standard refund procedures and has applied for a number of years, if not dating back to BR days.

Unfortunately, there's no public documentation for this, but it appears on the "Refunds - daily tickets (including One Day Travelcards" page on Knowledgebase. The relevant extract being:

I wonder how many online retailers have ever applied that specific criterion! I've never once known an example personally (though I have at booking offices).

 

[gray1404]

The scheme has been extended to 31 March 2022.

Source for this?

 

[alistairlees]

Source for this?

The government.

 

[splashoutradio]

Confirmation of the extention to the Book with Confidence Scheme can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rail-fares-capped-to-prevent-high-increases-for-passengers

 

[Wallsendmag]

Source for this?

RDG Email

 

[jrh2254]

Confirmation of the extention to the Book with Confidence Scheme can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rail-fares-capped-to-prevent-high-increases-for-passengers

Brilliant thanks. Quoted this and I think I am now going to get rail vouchers. My first request was rejected but with this link and wording I may get rail vouchers for the standard day return tickets I now cant use. Thanks.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Brilliant thanks. Quoted this and I think I am now going to get rail vouchers. My first request was rejected but with this link and wording I may get rail vouchers for the standard day return tickets I now cant use. Thanks.

"Book with confidence" only applies to Advance tickets. Normal rules apply to walk-up tickets.

 

[Bletchleyite]

"Book with confidence" only applies to Advance tickets. Normal rules apply to walk-up tickets.

Though in practice certainly some sites are treating them the same.

 

[jrh2254]

"Book with confidence" only applies to Advance tickets. Normal rules apply to walk-up tickets.

OK thanks. All very confusing. Do you know the rationale for this?

 

[Wallsendmag]

OK thanks. All very confusing. Do you know the rationale for this?

There's no point buying a fleixible ticket before the day of travel.

 

[Haywain]

OK thanks. All very confusing. Do you know the rationale for this?

In simple terms, Advance tickets are, normally, non-refundable whilst walk-up tickets are refundable.

 

[Starmill]

There's no point buying a fleixible ticket before the day of travel.

I have tried to get this point across many times but folk have a lot of difficulty with it.

There can be some reasons for wanting to get in early but they're quite niche.

 

[Haywain]

I have tried to get this point across many times but folk have a lot of difficulty with it.

There can be some reasons for wanting to get in early but they're quite niche.

I often buy tickets the day before I travel, but that's to avoid unpredictable queuing times on the day (plus getting an extra 10 minutes in bed!). However, I would buy any earlier than that.

 

[Starmill]

I often buy tickets the day before I travel, but that's to avoid unpredictable queuing times on the day (plus getting an extra 10 minutes in bed!). However, I would buy any earlier than that.

Indeed, and having to queue to buy a ticket is now a minority thing in most places, only for types of ticket that still need to be bought from a machine or ticket office.

 

[Haywain]

Indeed, and having to queue to buy a ticket is now a minority thing in most places, only for types of ticket that still need to be bought from a machine or ticket office.

Being restricted to ticket offices, I prefer not to take my chances. The downside is that the admin fee for a refund if things go wrong is a higher proportion of my fare!

 

[jrh2254]

I have tried to get this point across many times but folk have a lot of difficulty with it.

There can be some reasons for wanting to get in early but they're quite niche.

I will not be making the same mistake! Even if it means I dont get a seat reservation (the only reason I booked early!)

 

[Wallsendmag]

Being restricted to ticket offices, I prefer not to take my chances. The downside is that the admin fee for a refund if things go wrong is a higher proportion of my fare!

Not for much longer

 

[Starmill]

I will not be making the same mistake! Even if it means I dont get a seat reservation (the only reason I booked early!)

You can often get a seat reservation without a ticket by asking nicely on Twitter. Or on LNER just make one online with your email address.