From Newsgroup: uk.railway

It's being reported today that refunds for un-used tickets have to be
claimed by midnight the day before travel (Tardis, anyone?) rather than
up to 30 days afterwards.
--
Roland Perry
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

It's being reported today that refunds for un-used tickets have to be claimed by midnight the day before travel (Tardis, anyone?) rather than
up to 30 days afterwards.

Stops fraud. There must be lots of tickets that donrCOt get scanned/marked
and thus refunded even if used for travel. I canrCOt think of many other
dated tickets that allow a refund post the date.

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On 02/03/2026 11:03, Tweed wrote:

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

It's being reported today that refunds for un-used tickets have to be
claimed by midnight the day before travel (Tardis, anyone?) rather than
up to 30 days afterwards.

Stops fraud. There must be lots of tickets that donrCOt get scanned/marked and thus refunded even if used for travel. I canrCOt think of many other dated tickets that allow a refund post the date.

I use numerous paper tickets because railcards cannot be loaded into the various systems and in spite of what the advertising says paper tickets
with a railcard are usually cheaper.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

In message <10o3qp4$12tim$1@dont-email.me>, at 11:03:00 on Mon, 2 Mar
2026, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

It's being reported today that refunds for un-used tickets have to be
claimed by midnight the day before travel (Tardis, anyone?) rather than
up to 30 days afterwards.

Stops fraud. There must be lots of tickets that donrCOt get scanned/marked >and thus refunded even if used for travel. I canrCOt think of many other >dated tickets that allow a refund post the date.

Any refundable airline ticket.
--
Roland Perry
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

In message <10o3qp4$12tim$1@dont-email.me>, at 11:03:00 on Mon, 2 Mar
2026, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

It's being reported today that refunds for un-used tickets have to be
claimed by midnight the day before travel (Tardis, anyone?) rather than
up to 30 days afterwards.

Stops fraud. There must be lots of tickets that donrCOt get scanned/marked >> and thus refunded even if used for travel. I canrCOt think of many other
dated tickets that allow a refund post the date.

Any refundable airline ticket.

Do such things exist these days apart from the eye wateringly expensive
types?
Is it a real issue for rail tickets? Advances canrCOt be refunded if unused. Other tickets can be purchased on the day if you feel you might potentially need to cancel.

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On Mon, 2 Mar 2026 10:48:36 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

It's being reported today that refunds for un-used tickets have to be >claimed by midnight the day before travel (Tardis, anyone?) rather than
up to 30 days afterwards.

How could GBR have changed any rules, given that it doesn't exist? Nobody has a clue what it might do in 2028/29, the
earliest that it might be in operation.

So I assume this is just speculation among your FB 'friends'?
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

On Mon, 2 Mar 2026 10:48:36 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

It's being reported today that refunds for un-used tickets have to be
claimed by midnight the day before travel (Tardis, anyone?) rather than
up to 30 days afterwards.

How could GBR have changed any rules, given that it doesn't exist?
Nobody has a clue what it might do in 2028/29, the
earliest that it might be in operation.

So I assume this is just speculation among your FB 'friends'?

ItrCOs a change to the National Conditions of Carriage. So presumably Rail Delivery Group inspired?

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/help-and-assistance/compensation-and-refunds/refunds-change/

Is the RDG now the poodle of DfT?


--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On Mon, 2 Mar 2026 15:20:28 -0000 (UTC), Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

On Mon, 2 Mar 2026 10:48:36 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

It's being reported today that refunds for un-used tickets have to be
claimed by midnight the day before travel (Tardis, anyone?) rather than >>> up to 30 days afterwards.

How could GBR have changed any rules, given that it doesn't exist?
Nobody has a clue what it might do in 2028/29, the
earliest that it might be in operation.

So I assume this is just speculation among your FB 'friends'?

ItrCOs a change to the National Conditions of Carriage. So presumably Rail >Delivery Group inspired?

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/help-and-assistance/compensation-and-refunds/refunds-change/

Is the RDG now the poodle of DfT?

I assume so, given that it now owns, or will soon own, most of the TOCs.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Is it a real issue for rail tickets? Advances canrCOt be refunded if unused. Other tickets can be purchased on the day if you feel you might potentially need to cancel.

I think the problem is mainly when you *don't* feel you might need to
cancel, but then events happen. For example you're going to something like
a football match, but it's called off due to weather. You have no plans to
not go, until you're told your journey has now become pointless. Or you're flying but your airline now tells you the flight is departing tomorrow, not today.

You could mitigate this by buying all your tickets on the day, but then you risk not having a reserved seat.

Theo
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Is it a real issue for rail tickets? Advances canrCOt be refunded if unused. >> Other tickets can be purchased on the day if you feel you might potentially >> need to cancel.

I think the problem is mainly when you *don't* feel you might need to
cancel, but then events happen. For example you're going to something like
a football match, but it's called off due to weather. You have no plans to not go, until you're told your journey has now become pointless. Or you're flying but your airline now tells you the flight is departing tomorrow, not today.

You could mitigate this by buying all your tickets on the day, but then you risk not having a reserved seat.

Theo

GWRrCOs website is your friend for getting a reservation in advance of the travel day without needing a ticket at the point of making the reservation.


I think theyrCOve had a not insignificant number of people buying tickets online and then pressing the refund button if theyrCOve not been gripped. Clearly the proper solution is to increase ticket scanning/marking.

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

In message <10o44c8$16ddf$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:46:48 on Mon, 2 Mar
2026, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

In message <10o3qp4$12tim$1@dont-email.me>, at 11:03:00 on Mon, 2 Mar
2026, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

It's being reported today that refunds for un-used tickets have to be
claimed by midnight the day before travel (Tardis, anyone?) rather than >>>> up to 30 days afterwards.

Stops fraud. There must be lots of tickets that donrCOt get scanned/marked >>> and thus refunded even if used for travel. I canrCOt think of many other >>> dated tickets that allow a refund post the date.

Any refundable airline ticket.

Do such things exist these days apart from the eye wateringly expensive >types?

Of course they do. Not everyone flies on the AP-equivalent
non-refundable RyanEasyWizz tickets.

Is it a real issue for rail tickets? Advances canrCOt be refunded if unused. >Other tickets can be purchased on the day if you feel you might potentially >need to cancel.

Purchasing tickets on the day is a hostage to fortune. The TVMs may be
broken, you might be running late (last time I tried this it took me ten minutes of hand to hand fighting to pay for the station car park, let
alone the travel ticket).

You also risk not getting a reservation. Again, my most recent long
distance trip was standing all the way from Peterborough to Edinburgh on
a train which was so crowded you couldn't even move through it to get to toilets, let alone the buffet.
--
Roland Perry
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

In message <i1abqk5mctrm4dtei1osgd8f05vq2cmvvr@4ax.com>, at 15:11:58 on
Mon, 2 Mar 2026, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:

On Mon, 2 Mar 2026 10:48:36 +0000, Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

It's being reported today that refunds for un-used tickets have to be >>claimed by midnight the day before travel (Tardis, anyone?) rather than
up to 30 days afterwards.

How could GBR have changed any rules, given that it doesn't exist?
Nobody has a clue what it might do in 2028/29, the
earliest that it might be in operation.

Every single "change" (alleged improvement) being brought in during the transitional period has been to the detriment of the travelling public.

So I assume this is just speculation among your FB 'friends'?

No, it was journalism brought to my attention elsewhere.

Incidentally, I have a fairly unusual policy when it come to FB Friends,
that with only a few exceptions I only accept people I have met in the
real world. Otherwise I'd have thousands, rather than about 400, plus
600 "followers" which is the next layer down.
--
Roland Perry
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

In message <cCF*Y1wAA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 16:07:38 on Mon,
2 Mar 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Is it a real issue for rail tickets? Advances canrCOt be refunded if unused. >> Other tickets can be purchased on the day if you feel you might potentially >> need to cancel.

I think the problem is mainly when you *don't* feel you might need to
cancel, but then events happen. For example you're going to something like
a football match, but it's called off due to weather. You have no plans to >not go, until you're told your journey has now become pointless. Or you're >flying but your airline now tells you the flight is departing tomorrow, not >today.

Indeed, and the railways always say things like "rails broken, but
hurrah! tickets accepted tomorrow" with is absolutely zero use if the
football match, hospital appointment or your holiday flight is *today*.
--
Roland Perry
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

In message <10o44c8$16ddf$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:46:48 on Mon, 2 Mar
2026, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

In message <10o3qp4$12tim$1@dont-email.me>, at 11:03:00 on Mon, 2 Mar
2026, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

It's being reported today that refunds for un-used tickets have to be >>>>> claimed by midnight the day before travel (Tardis, anyone?) rather than >>>>> up to 30 days afterwards.

Stops fraud. There must be lots of tickets that donrCOt get scanned/marked >>>> and thus refunded even if used for travel. I canrCOt think of many other >>>> dated tickets that allow a refund post the date.

Any refundable airline ticket.

Do such things exist these days apart from the eye wateringly expensive
types?

Of course they do. Not everyone flies on the AP-equivalent
non-refundable RyanEasyWizz tickets.

Is it a real issue for rail tickets? Advances canrCOt be refunded if unused. >> Other tickets can be purchased on the day if you feel you might potentially >> need to cancel.

Purchasing tickets on the day is a hostage to fortune. The TVMs may be broken, you might be running late (last time I tried this it took me ten minutes of hand to hand fighting to pay for the station car park, let
alone the travel ticket).

You also risk not getting a reservation. Again, my most recent long
distance trip was standing all the way from Peterborough to Edinburgh on
a train which was so crowded you couldn't even move through it to get to toilets, let alone the buffet.

BA economy tickets are largely non refundable. Likewise Lufthansa group.
Which non eye wateringly expensive tickets are refundable *post* the travel date? (Ie the ones everyday folk might buy, not those on expense accounts
or have so much money they donrCOt care about refunds).

You can buy most tickets on the day online (on your computer at home before
you leave if you find apps too taxing). Granted, some tickets can only be collected via TVMs, but unless you make a special trip to collect them in advance, your situation regarding access to machines on the day of travel remains unchanged.

Reservations can be got beforehand without the need for a ticket.

Ticket fraud does need to be fought.


--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Roland Perry <roland@perry.uk> wrote:

In message <cCF*Y1wAA@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, at 16:07:38 on Mon,
2 Mar 2026, Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> remarked:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Is it a real issue for rail tickets? Advances canrCOt be refunded if unused.
Other tickets can be purchased on the day if you feel you might potentially >>> need to cancel.

I think the problem is mainly when you *don't* feel you might need to
cancel, but then events happen. For example you're going to something like >> a football match, but it's called off due to weather. You have no plans to >> not go, until you're told your journey has now become pointless. Or you're >> flying but your airline now tells you the flight is departing tomorrow, not >> today.

Indeed, and the railways always say things like "rails broken, but
hurrah! tickets accepted tomorrow" with is absolutely zero use if the football match, hospital appointment or your holiday flight is *today*.

I donrCOt think refunds in those circumstances will be prevented.

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Is it a real issue for rail tickets? Advances canrCOt be refunded if unused.
Other tickets can be purchased on the day if you feel you might potentially
need to cancel.

I think the problem is mainly when you *don't* feel you might need to cancel, but then events happen. For example you're going to something like a football match, but it's called off due to weather. You have no plans to not go, until you're told your journey has now become pointless. Or you're flying but your airline now tells you the flight is departing tomorrow, not today.

You could mitigate this by buying all your tickets on the day, but then you risk not having a reserved seat.

GWRrCOs website is your friend for getting a reservation in advance of the travel day without needing a ticket at the point of making the reservation.

I suggest that is a loophole which is utterly unscaleable. There is the potential of hordes of people reserving seats with a low likelihood of travelling.

If the reservation fee was, say, -u10 which could be knocked off the price of
a ticket when you do buy one, that might go some way towards blocking
spurious reservations.

I think theyrCOve had a not insignificant number of people buying tickets online and then pressing the refund button if theyrCOve not been gripped. Clearly the proper solution is to increase ticket scanning/marking.

It's a sensible anti-fraud measure, I agree. I wonder if there are other
ways to prove that a ticket has not been used which might permit refunds?
For example collection-from-machine tickets which have never been collected.

Theo
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