Linda431

I can't believe I did this but I did.

I booked 2 TGV tickets online for 90 euros each. I think it was the PREMS fare. I didn't see an option for a refundable fare and granted, I didn't question it, I just booked it.

Now we've changed our whole trip around and it looks like I'm out $256. Any way around this?

PalenQ

Call the English phone info of sncf and plead, plead and plead!

don't have number handy but someone will.

Or ask you credit card company about cancelling payment - say it was a mistake, etc.

Christina

I really am shocked PalenQ is suggesting that. You booked a nonrefundable fare and those rates are set for business reasons to give big discounts for advance purchase, and they are real bargains. I suppose the obvious (what does nonrefundable mean) could be asked, but to try to get out of paying for a nonrefundable fare you willing booked by pleading with your credit and saying it was a mistake is really out-of-line IMO. I could say worse, but people who want businesses to create good bargains for those who book ahead, prepay, etc., can't complain if they aren't treated like fully refundable fares.

Besides, it's a lie to say it was a mistake. It wasn't, you just changed your trip. I don't think grownups should lie, why would anybody recommend people just lie to try to get out of something they are responsible for, that's what six-year olds do.

PalenQ

well i did think she he accidentally booked the same ticket twice but re-reading more carefully yeh Caveat Emptor.

ripit

Did you buy the tickets online? If so, there is usually an option upon checkout that offers cancellation insurance for an extra 2.50€ when purchasing Prems fares. This is selected by default so you would have to manually decline the insurance. Perhaps you purchased the insurance without realizing?

TimS

What is the date, route, and time you booked? 90 euros sounds more like a standard fare than a PREM'S fare. Were you given the option of printing your ticket? (That's only possible with a PREM'S fare, not a standard fare.) If it turns out to be a standard ticket, you can exchange it.

grandmere

I made a mistake when booking a PREM fare last summer, and I called immediately, sent an email and a letter; to no avail. The tickets I mistakenly bought were for the very next day from Annecy to Paris, and I argued that there was no way possible I could have gotten to Annecy quickly enough to use them since I was buying them here in Pgh., trying to establish that it was indeed an error, not just change of plans. That made no difference to them.

ira

Hi L,

What's the route and date?

90E seems high for a nonrefundable fare.

Linda431

Ira, it was for May 17, from CDG to Avignon. I also thought 90 euros was high for a Prems fare. I printed the tickets online, so I had to decline the insurance.

SuzieC

non-refundable is non-refundable but how about transferrable? I don't think that is a PREM fare either. From CDG to St. Raphael was only 26E's, for us and that is only a couple more stops "down the line"...

ripit

I see a regular fare of 94.00 € (2 cl.)for this trip on this day. The PREM's fares are for 68.00 € and 77.00 € depending on the train. Even 1 cl. PREM's fares are only 74 - 83 €. You do not have to decline the insurance for PREM's fares even if you choose the self-printing option. If you purchase full fare, you are not given the option of purchasing cancellation insurance.

It looks as though you may have bought full fare tickets, in which case they should be fully refundable. I'd be surprised if they offered PREM's fares so close in price to full fare.

Linda431

Thanks for the info. I'll call the number first thing tomorrow and see if I can get a refund.

travelhorizons

There are no names on the tickets, I believe, so if you are unsuccessful getting a refund, you might be able to sell them to someone else.

StCirq

Oh, no, if they are PREMs and you printed them out yourself they have all kinds of identifying info on them as well as your name.

But anyway, I agree, call the SNCF and put yourself at their mercy. If you're going to buy other tickets, I'm inclined to think they'll be solicitous. I've always had amazingly gracious service when I've called them.

grandmere

I'll be eager to hear how this turns out b/c I did call the SNCF and put myself at their mercy and did buy tickets for the correct dates, but they did not budge.

puttakka

I believe they will not refund you. I had the same problem two years ago when I bougt two tickets to Paris with the intention of taking my cousin, who lived in England, to Paris. Unfortunately, she did not get her visa on time and she couldn't go and thus, I could not go either. So we lost $200 - they would not change the date of the ticket so we could use them when we got our visa. Two years later, I barely remember the $200 but I was really annoyed at the time. Anyway, try your best with SNCF but don't let this ruin your holiday.

Linda431

Just to update, I'm stuck. The 90 euro was a PREM's fare - the regular (refundable) fare is 130.

A later train was much cheaper; 60 for the PREMs fare. I guess that 11:47 AM is a popular time to leave CDG going to Avignon.

So you live and learn.

PalenQ

If each ticket was 90 euros then you may have been better off foregoing www.sncf.com and buying the one-day France Railpass at i think $90 thru RailEurope even though each seat reservation thru them would cost $11 each and there is a $15 fee at least you would have a ticket you could use on any train - just losing the reservation - good for folks landing at CDG and not quite sure when the plane will really land, etc.

$180 + $22 + 15 =$217
180 euros = $234 so you could have save $17 and you'd have had a ticket to use on any TGV, even if you had to go into Paris to get one. And the $15 fee is per order. Or maybe i'm missing something? But RailEurope would charge a $15 mailing fee - one reason besides expertise and great service i always advise BETS (800-441-2387) for these type of tickets.
the one day France railpass maybe $99 i'm not sure - it's in the $90's but even then it'd be about the same. The special pass expired recently but sale has been extended to April 15, 2007 i think and i believe you can use it anytime within six months of issue.

ripit

The OP neglected to mention she bought 1 cl. tickets. Fully exchangeable and refundable fare for this route in 1 cl. is 130.60 €.

katzen

Last summer I booked 2 TGV tickets on 2 different routes in France and my sister and I ended up canceling that part of the trip - I lost the tickets and did not get a refund.