RM67

I find tfl customer service usually quite helpful (over things like damaged oyster cards etc). I think the 'throw yourself on their mercy' advice above is spot on. Admit right up front that it is your mistake and that you realise they are not duty-bound to help you, but that you would be really grateful/appreciative if there is anything they could do. Flies and honey

Kandace_York

Good point, RM67. Thanks for the encouragement. We will hope but not expect ...

BikerScott

Totally agree RM67, I have always found them to be really helpful so I think there is a good chance you wont have a problem. Do it first thing in the morning though so there is no chance that you could have used them. Check that the station you are using has a ticket office open at that hour www.tfl.gov.uk

Are you arriving at Heathrow? If so I would deal with it on arrival at the tube station there so there is NO chance that you have used the cards yet. I am not sure they can check that and if you show up at 11am and try to exchange them it is less likely they will do it.

Kandace_York

We'll be coming in from the north, arriving late the night before at KGX. Not sure which would be best -- checking at KGX the day *before* the first cards could even be used (but later in the day, where the customer service reps might be worn out from dealing with people all day), or first thing in the morning on the first day the tickets are valid.

Thoughts? Just trying to up my chances of a good outcome.

Thanks!

jamikins

I would do it before the date to eliminate that risk altogether. I think your chances are significantly reduced if you are into the day they are valid for...

BigRuss

Thinking that you overthought this.

If you are trying to use the travel cards for 2for1 offers, they're useless. If you aren't, why did you bother instead of just getting Oyster cards when you reach London?

The travel facilitators are not necessarily facilitating.

Kandace_York

Thanks, jamikins.

BigRuss, the whole Oyster thing has been confusing to me (if you travel a lot in one day, the Travelcards seemed a more economical choice at the time, though I realize now that with a daily pay cap that may not be accurate).

Really, though, how much does it matter at this point WHY I didn't get them? I made a mistake. I admit that. I'm trying to correct that. If I can't correct it, I'll live with it.

PalenQ

Yes as BigRuss says you are missing out on the 2 for 1 offers at most paying sights by not having a paper travel card issued in London by a national rail station. Try to refund them all and get a paper Travel Card for the days you are going to expensive museums or places and get 2 for 1 entry.

lincasanova

In the end.. don't beat yourself up over this.. another first world problem that i hope gets solved. Enjoy the rest of planning of your trip.

Kandace_York

Thanks. This is not a "touristy" trip -- college-hunting with daughter -- so the 2-for-1 offers aren't a big draw for us. We're aiming for free attractions only this time around. And agreed, Lincasanova -- first world problems. We'll be OK no matter what.

Luv2travel15

Go and have a great visit with your family! Put what happened behind you and move forward, you will drive yourself crazy thinking about it. I always say, "it is what it is" when we travel. You and your daughter will love London so won't even think about your mistake.

Here's a great website that I used to plan our London trip, has great info on it!

http://www.londontoolkit.com/blog/da...tseeing-buses/

http://www.londontoolkit.com/

Maybe your daughter would like to do the Harry Potter Tour if she/you are fans!

We did an all-day bus tour with Evan Evans which included admission to 3 places: 1) Tower of London (absolutely wonderful, do not miss); 2) St. Paul's Cathedral (again wonderful to see); 3) river cruise on Thames). We saw a lot in one day.

http://www.evanevanstours.co.uk/

Hope this helps! Go and enjoy!!!!

Luv2travel15

Here is an explanation of the difference between a Travel Card and the Oyster Card you might read:

http://www.londontoolkit.com/blog/tr...-which-is-best

Kandace_York

Thanks!

Kandace_York

Quick update -- your advice is spot-on. When we arrived at KGX I explained my mistake to the rep at the ticket counter and asked if it might be possible to exchange some of the TravelCards. He had to check with his supervisor but then cheerfully exchanged them in fewer than five minutes.

Huge relief. Thanks for your counsel! I'll be careful not to lose the lesson on this one.

DebitNM

Glad it worked out and thanks for the update; those are always appreciated.

RM67

That's great

jamikins

Great news! Thanks for checking back

lincasanova

good news! Enjoy your lovely trip!

Luv2travel15

So glad it worked out for you and hope you enjoy your trip! London is wonderful!

dfourh

My dumb travel mistake last August: Got both outbound and return Metro/RER tickets at Charles de Gaulle for the trip into Paris and back for three of us. One morning, mixed-up the return cards (worth about 9 Euro each) with the regular carnet (worth just over 1 Euro each) and used the 9-Euro airport tickets for a short Metro ride for each of the three of us. Uff da.

But that was the worst thing that happened the entire Paris/Pittsburgh/Ohio/California/Vegas/Arizona trip that lasted a month, so maybe it was good luck.