When is TheTrainLine cheapest?

[maniacmartin]

A common recurring theme on this forum is newcomers assuming that TheTrainLine is cheapest for tickets, from their misleading advertising no doubt.

Can anyone actually come up with any examples when TTL is actually the cheapest for a ticket or journey, after allowing for their booking and card fees?

If not, how about joint-cheapest?

 

[jon0844]

Given the booking fee and the fact that some other sites don't charge a fee, I have to conclude that the Trainline is more expensive 100% of the time.

That is unless it has access to any special tickets that aren't available anywhere else, at a price that is lower overall even after taking into account this fee.

Frankly, I get rather angry when I hear people recommending this site! I want to slap them and say 'NO!'.

 

[tannedfrog]

A London to Carlisle Anytime Return (any permitted) costs £338 from most outlets.

From thetrainline through quidco using a debit card and collection from the station, it costs £331.01

 

[island]

Are there no other TOCs giving cashback?

 

[Deerfold]

Are there no other TOCs giving cashback?

RSH's 1.57% takes it down to £332.69
Buying from RSH with a Santander 123 Credit card takes it to £322.55

 

[maniacmartin]

Hmm, I'd forgotten about Quidco. A massive 2.5%!

I honestly thought that this challenge wouldn't be possible, but with the cashback deal that expires in 4 days, you just have to buy a sufficiently expensive ticket.

This is disregarding cashback/airmiles credit cards. Can TrainLine still win when you consider that? I doubt it.

 

[Deerfold]

Hmm, I'd forgotten about Quidco. A massive 2.5%!

I honestly thought that this challenge wouldn't be possible, but with the cashback deal that expires in 4 days, you just have to buy a sufficiently expensive ticket.

This is disregarding cashback/airmiles credit cards. Can TrainLine still win when you consider that? I doubt it.

The trainline credit card fee is currently 2%! However on their mobile app it's a fixed £1.50, so it may be cheaper with something like the Santander card for expensive tickets.

 

[maniacmartin]

A FOR Wick - Thurso + Via London is a random expensive ticket at £696

On TTL it'd cost (696+1+1.5) * 0.975 = £681
On RSH it'd be 696 * 0.9843 = £685.07

Both would qualify for Santander cashback

So it appears TTL really can save you money!

 

[radamfi]

Comparisons with RSH should really take into account both cashback and RSH points, making the discount roughly 2.5%.

 

[MKD]

And in the effort to try to find ANY instance of Trainline being worthwhile, don't give them credit for the current high Quidco £back on the Trainline victim gouging as
"Cashback may only be paid on the net value excluding VAT, all other taxes, surcharges and any additional costs such as delivery."

so above example, assuming their gouges are right, ie Mobile app £1 booking fee & £1.50 credit card fee:
On TTL it'd cost (696+1+1.5) * 0.975 = £681.04
s/be 696 * 0.975 + 1 + 1.5 = £681.10

RSH 696 * (100% -1.57% -1.0%) = 696 * 0.9743 = £678.11
with 1.57% TopCashBack and 1% RSH Loyalty
ie £2.50 cheaper as no gouging, and £0.49 greater £back opportunities.

However as TTL will have taken £2.50 more from your payment method, you would have potential to earn a bit of extra credit card payback on that £2.50 over non-gouging vendors!

 

[DeeGee]

Comparisons with RSH should really take into account both cashback and RSH points, making the discount roughly 2.5%.

If we're really trying, should we not be paying for the RSH tickets with 2* Tesco Clubcard points?

 

[snail]

If we're really trying, should we not be paying for the RSH tickets with 2* Tesco Clubcard points?

Or through Facebook where you get a double points bonus on top of the regular loyalty deal, equal to 3% in total.