[hazelr]

So I accidentally (/stupidly) bought a ticket for the 15th of September instead of the 15th of August; and I can't get a refund, or change the date, and the ticket costs £40 so I'd rather not buy another, so I'll be getting the (warm, smelly, uncomfortable and busy) coach instead... So it got me thinking:

Would you be able to use the 15/09 ticket on the 15/08 at the ticket barrier - or would it not open, because its the wrong date? Because then you could get onto the train anyway? Does the ticket barrier know you won't be waiting a month on the platform, or does it just check if your ticket has been used already or not?


JUST WONDERING - not going to do it!

[Theroomofstudents]

I have done no research whatsoever into ticket barriers but I imagine they simply read the bar-strip on the ticket to determine whether it can be accepted or not. Well basically what I'm saying is that if the ticket is not valid for that day, it won't open...

[Themanwhorules]

The date is encoded into the bar code on the back. So no you couldnt do that, cuz if you could, dont you think everyone would be doing it.

[.Scout.]

The barriers won't let you through, unfortunatly! I've accidentally tried to use old tickets instead of my un date one and it wouldn't work.
Even if the barriers were open at the other end, I wouldn't risk the chance of there being a ticket inspector on the train. If they catch you, they will fine you .

[callum9999]

Yeah the barrier won't open.

What type of ticket is it? If it's a normal ticket (i.e. not Advance), you might be able to go into a station and get them to change the date without a charge. They'll basically sell you a ticket for the date you wanted, and use the old ticket as payment. I've done it before, but I don't know if they actually have to do it or I just got a nice person behind the counter (it did seem like a bit of a hassle!) - worth a try though.

[Rtcw]

Two options, one legal and another illegal:

Legal: Go to station and ask for change of date. They may do it, but with an administration fee (Usually £10) + amount overprice in £ compared to newer ticket.

Illegal: (I do not recommend it) Buy two as cheapest ticket as possible from station in order to get it open and to get it open at the other end. You spend about £10 in this way and run into risk of getting caught.

[hazelr]

It's an advance so I can't get a refund I was just wondering if the ticket machines know the day, so I guess I have my answer! I wouldn't want to "cheat the system" when I already managed to get a really cheap ticket - I suppose I've only my self to blame... WAAA, self pity.

[shezshez]

Buy the cheapest ticket available. Hope you don't get caught. If you do, pretend to be foreign. (Y)

[OU Student]

You may not be able to get a refund; but can you change the ticket?

[cl_steele]

The ticket barrier wont open for your ticket.
Unfortunatly you may also get landed with a spectacular fine for using it, my friend had a prebooked ticket to travel up to Leeds from Reading and used it on a train 4 hours earlier than the one he booked ... promptly got fined for it
You might be able to change it if you ring up the relevant company though?

[cl_steele]

(Original post by shezshez)
Buy the cheapest ticket available. Hope you don't get caught. If you do, pretend to be foreign. (Y)

I remember trying that, apparently speaking French to the conductor doesnt work when they also speak French

[marcusfox]

(Original post by hazelr)
So I accidentally (/stupidly) bought a ticket for the 15th of September instead of the 15th of August; and I can't get a refund, or change the date, and the ticket costs £40 so I'd rather not buy another, so I'll be getting the (warm, smelly, uncomfortable and busy) coach instead... So it got me thinking:

Would you be able to use the 15/09 ticket on the 15/08 at the ticket barrier - or would it not open, because its the wrong date? Because then you could get onto the train anyway? Does the ticket barrier know you won't be waiting a month on the platform, or does it just check if your ticket has been used already or not?


JUST WONDERING - not going to do it!

Ticket must be used on the date for which it is valid, which is printed on it. Out of date tickets will not work the barrier and will alert the barrier staff.

This applies to tickets used either too late or to early.

Notwithstanding the exception regarding the return portion of period return tickets which the outward portion is valid on day of validity and the return portion is valid on that date and up to a month from that date.

If you bought the ticket on the internet and it is a cheap advance, may as well throw it away.* They can't be changed or refunded. For all other tickets, you may be able to get it changed for free, depending on the ticket office that you ask.

*You can always write a grovelling letter to the customer services department of the people you bought the ticket from, explaining the circumstances and enclosing the ticket. They may well send you as a goodwill gesture the value or part value of the ticket in rail vouchers to use on another journey. The only thing you have to lose is the value of a second class stamp, although if you bought from EastCoast they have a Freepost address. If you don't try, you've lost £40. Do this pretty soon after you purchased the ticket though, or they might take the view that you're seeking a refund because your circumstances changed, not that you made a mistake.

[Solid.Snake]

It really isn't worth even trying it as if you do manage to get on the train and then a ticket inspector comes on...then i'm afraid it's game over! Expect a huge fine to be coming your way!