Virgin Con. (Virgin Trains)

Member Name: Cattycat

Product:	Virgin Trains
Date:	16/06/01 (1030 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: Rip off, Poor service

I live in Nottingham, but I am from Cornwall. My family all still live there which means when I want to visit them I have no choice but to use Virgin Trains as they run most of the trains down to Cornwall.

Over the last 4 years I had been satisfied with the service, being able to book Apex fairs every time, and on the whole being able to choose routes with only 1 or 2 changes. However, my opinion of them has rapidly declined over an incident in April.

I wanted to visit Cornwall for 10 days from April 21st - my brother's birthday. So a month before I decided to book my Apex ticket (Apex fare approx 45 pounds). This time I was going to try booking it over the internet, but trainline.com and Virgin's own site would not allow me to book an Apex return. I tried a variety of dates, but to no avail, so I decided to visit Nottingham station to see if they could book me a ticket.

They had exactly the same problem - their computers would not allow the booking of Apex returns even though there seemed to be available places. They suggested returning a week later.

So a week later, and another week later, and then another week later I checked with Nottingham station, but they could not book me an Apex fare!! So, 8 days before April 21st, Nottingham station again said that they were unable to book the fare and would have to phone Virgin direct before the "7 day prior to travel" deadline ran out.

So, I contacted Virgin trains who said that there were Apex seats available, but for some reason their computer would not let them book it - and suggested I give them another ring the next day - the last day to book an Apex fare! I was obviously going round in circles here.

The next day came, I phoned Virgin to be told, "We're sorry madam - the Apex fares are fully booked" - I was absolutely furious!! I had been trying for a month to book!! It was ridiculous that all of a sudden they were fully booked -
I personally feel that there were never an Apex fares in the first place! Just a big con to get people to pay the more expensive fares which are at least double the price starting at 95 pounds.

I am looking at alternative ways to visit my family because I begrudge paying full fare especially as it would be cheaper to fly abroad!!

I caught my train on April 21st after reluctantly paying what I did - and the journey was a nightmare as it took 11 hours due to faulty signals at Newton Abbot!! that is another story in itself !!

Summary: