Collect Pre Booked Train Tickets

[Maydup]

I've booked train tickets online, and as I often do, plan on collecting the tickets from the machine at the station. I have to go into the local mainline station to do this as there is no facility on our banch line.

It says to insert any valid credit or debit card along with the booking reference number. Does that means OH could collect them on his way through the station tomorrow with his card and my ref number?

[Buenchico]

>>> It says to insert any valid credit or debit card . . .

That's odd because I've always understood that it has to be the same card that you booked the tickets with.

Further (as I'm assuming, from your previous posts, that it will be Norwich station where you or your OH will be collecting your tickets from), I would assume that the information on the Abellio Greater Anglia website would apply. That definitely seems to indicate that the original card will be needed:
https://www.abelliogreateranglia.co.uk/contact-us/faqs/self-service-ticket-machine

[diddlydo]

Wouldn't it be simpler just to give your OH your card?!

[Maydup]

I booked via National Rail site, and interetsingly their instructions differ from Abellio's. They say the tickets will be available 15 minutes after I booked, as opposed to 2 hours from Abellio, and that I can collect using any valid debit or credit card which will be used for ID only and not charged.

I could send my card with OH but I'm curious to know whether it means any card, as it says. I might contact them for clarification. In the meantime I'll call in one night after work for them, don't want to mess up the system!

[DTCwordfan]

Mine needed my card that I paid with - got a great deal in Truro to Paddington return in 1st for less than the normal 2nd class far.

[DTCwordfan]

fare....duh

[Buenchico]

>>> I booked via National Rail site

You can't actually book directly with ATOC (which runs the National Rail website). The booking facility on the National Rail website directs you to the website of one of the Train Operating Companies (or, if you so choose, a third party website).

The default option for, say, a train from Norwich to London would normally be the Abellio Greater Anglia site but for a train from Norwich to Penzance you might be offered the Great Western Railway website as your first option. (There doesn't seem to be much logic to it though. For some journeys, entirely within the Abellio Greater Anglia area, I've only been offered the websites of other operators to book on!).

So maybe your booking was actually with another company and it's their own rules (rather than those of AGE) which are then applied to your booking?

[Jackdaw33]

At least you didn't book via Trainline. That's when your problems start

[Buenchico]

Agreed, JD33.

When I ran a railway station, I got fed up of explaining to Trainline customers that their tickets weren't valid for travel on any train! (Avoid! Avoid! Avoid!).

[Maydup]

OK I've looked again and the booking was via National Rail and the confirmation came from Abellio. I 'll get in touch with them because the email instructions about using any card, contradict those on the website. I might at least get them to change their wording to be consistant. I have the bit between the teeth now!

[Maydup]

Here's the actual wording Chris

When you go to collect your tickets you will need:

Your collection reference: XXXXXXXX
Any debit or credit card in order to activate the machine. This card will not be charged.
You must have both of the above to be able to collect your tickets.

[Jackdaw33]

It's 9 years since I left National Rail Enquiries(when they decided to outsource to India) but I remember the same question cropping up. I don't think we ever got a satisfactory answer.

[Jackdaw33]

Looks as though it may well be right then, Maydup. Just to be on the safe side I would take both cards and try the other one first. Then you will know for future reference.

[Jackdaw33]

...by that I meant try a card first other than the one you booked with.

[Buenchico]

Maydup:
The instructions for collecting tickets from machines sometimes seem to go for 'overkill'. For example, I collected Eurostar tickets from a machine at Ebbsfleet International where I'd been told that I need both my card and my booking reference. I simply inserted my card and was instantly offered the opportunity to print my tickets (without needing the booking reference at all). On a different occasion I entered my booking reference first and waited for the instruction to enter my card. However I was again immediately prompted to print out my tickets (without the need for my card).

JD33:
So it was you at NRES that kept giving our customers the weekday times for trains on Saturdays!
;-)

[Jackdaw33]

No it was not, Chico! Don't be so damned cheeky (or should that be Chico?)

[baza]

JD was it you that insisted that the 0040 dep from Fenchurch St. was leaving from Liverpool St. although I assured you that I was just about to despatch it from platform 4 at F.St.

[Jackdaw33]

Again, not guilty. You must have got through to India.

[baza]

It was the late nineties.

[Jackdaw33]

...in which case you must have got through to Cardiff!

[baza]

Not much difference with the accent.