vjose

Kerouac, Cathinjoetown - thanks.

Re confirmed with hotel and they are running as normal.


However Now a developing situation, got a mail from SNCF, and they have cancelled the train to Lourdes. There is link in the email which sort of suggests I could get some refund.

Here is the link http://medias.sncf.com/sncfcom/garan...FR-04.2013.pdf

With my very limited French(could speak/write and understand one word-Salut- No surprise here), I couldn't quite decipher the document.

Appreciate if any one could help me out here

In terms of travel(alternate plan), I could get a TGV to Pau and then a local to Lourdes- any advise would be great.


.

vjose

ttt -helping my self to the top

Cathinjoetown

Could you post a copy of the email?

If possible, a train to Tarbes would be closer than Pau.

vjose

Thanks Cathy.

Chère cliente, cher client,

Vous avez prévu de voyager avec SNCF sur le train 4053 à destination de LOURDES le 20/07/2013.

Nous vous informons qu'en raison d'intempéries ayant impactées les voies, les gares de Tarbes et Lourdes ne sont plus desservies par ce train. Vous pouvez emprunter le train 3753 au départ de Paris pour Toulouse puis le train 14141 à destination de Lourdes.

Pour consulter l'état de circulation de votre train et connaître les prévisions de trafic, rendez-vous sur le site infolignes.

En voyageant avec TGV et INTERCITES, vous bénéficiez de LA GARANTIE VOYAGE dont les conditions d'application spécifiques sont notamment consultables sur sncf.com.

La SNCF vous remercie de votre compréhension.

Cathinjoetown

I hope Kerouac or someone whose French is better than mine reads this!

But, will have a go.

First, the email as you have gathered says the train on which you were booked isn't running due to the bad weather i.e. flood damage. They are recommending 3753 which may be an overnight to Toulouse, with a change in Toulouse to Lourdes. I say "may" be an overnight because a quick look found 3751 which is an overnight. This might be your best substitute for what you had.

Regarding your guarantee, see on page 2, #2 Garantie Report ou Remboursement

"We're here for you, if your train departure is postponed by more than one hour or removed from the schedule, we will offer you another travel solution or reimburse you, whichever you choose."

I will read the rest of the garantie tomorrow to see how you go about getting a refund.

But, do you want to pursue the offer of travel via Toulouse? If so, they may be trying to replicate what you had booked, i.e. sleepers, with no additional charge. I think you need to get on to them ASAP to sort this out. I believe they may have English speakers on their phone lines. Or, you can respond to their email and do it in English. It would be nice to start your email by excusing your English but dam--t, sncf sells tickets worldwide so someone should be able to to read your email. Just be very clear as to what you want.

My concern is if you re-book on your own and it costs more, you may only be refunded for your original tickets.

It's getting late here (11:40). I will read the rest of the garantee in the morning. I vaguely remember that it's in English online somewhere.

I wouldn't delay getting them to re-schedule you if you really are committed to go. Otherwise, I am concerned you will pay any extra cost for re-booking yourself.

vjose

Cathinjoetown - much appreciate your help.

I went ahead and booked myself on a morning train with a regular priced tickets. It came out around 50EUR more and on 2nd class.(My earlier tickets where on 1st class).

20 July 2013
Outward Departing at :06h17
From (station) ARIS MONTPARNASSE 1 ET 2
Transporteur : TGV
Numéro du train :8571

Facilities 2nd class

Arriving at :11h55
In (station) AU STATION

Departing at :12h05
From (station) AU STATION
Transporteur : Coach
Numéro du train :48571

Arriving at : 13h15
In (station) OURDES



And of course replied the SNCF mail in English.

Thanks

vjose

I am so sorry about the little creaturesabove. Not sure how it got there(must be a cut+Paste effect)

Cathinjoetown

I just took another look at the guarantee document.

The bottom of page 4 tells you how to get a refund--at the station, at an SNCF boutique (there are several in Paris) or through an SNCF partner travel agency up to 24 hours after your train's originally scheduled departure. So, you could do this in Paris. Allow plenty of time.

After 24 hours from the original departure date, they provide an address to apply by mail (post).

Good luck. Are you changing in Toulouse? You'll need to hustle!

vjose

Cathinjowtown - am very grateful for all your help.

SNCF is proving to very difficult for me. Refund procedure - by mail- is super crap.

As per the new arrangements-
will leave Paris on 20th morning at 0605hrs in a TGV to Pau
Pau to Lourdes connection in 10 minutes-Will need to really hurry here

Will stay at Lourdes for 2 days - Then as per old plan on 22nd morning Train to Toulouse, Easyjet to Rome

Cathinjoetown

Pau is good news--much smaller station than Toulouse.

Sorry they are being difficult, I haven't had to ask for a refund--yet. Try to be patient, the French seem to love their paperwork.