I know I'm old and sometimes have a hard time understanding but...
I am monitoring the Trenitalia site for discount fares for May, 2013.
I know that fares do not appear before 120 days. I know that discounts come and go, but would someone try to explain why the discount exists for a single ticket and not two tickets?

For example, I'm looking at Milano Centrale to Venezia S Lucia for May 18, 2013, 1st class, 11:35, and it shows an Economy fare of 38 Euro (the Super Economy is sold out) FOR ONE. If I update to 2 people, the Economy fare shows SOLD OUT!!?

Any insight??

Do you think I could do two separate transactions for one ticket each rather than one transaction for two people (I'm "registered")?

Thanks!!!

Do you need 1st class for a short train ride (2 1/2 hours)? The 9€ fares are available for 2nd class. They aren't often available for 1st class at 9€. Usually a 1st class discount is more likely to be 19€ or 29€. I would think you should be able to purchase that date (isn't it 120 days already?).

This is a picture of 2nd class on the fast trains. Did you check to see if the same thing happens when you add a person to 2nd class?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ssainterno.jpg

Suggests to me that there's now just one last Ecomony-price seat left in 1st Class on that train - which will probably be sold soon!

Peter

what PP said...it may be just one seat available.

kybourbon: We just want this trip first class You're correct, the 1st class low fares are other than 9€ but that's OK.
BTW, the same thing does happen for 2nd class as well on the few dates checked.

A_Brit_In_Ischia and danon: I can buy the "last one" thinking but for the few different dates I've checked, there is only one! Although it seems a bit strange since I've checked the latest date and there is just one?!!

To all, thanks for responding!

I also see that the first class economy fares are supposedly all sold out - though not for one.

I don't believe this because when you choose the "select your seat" option you'll see all seats in the coach are available. So I think you could do two separate transactions and choose adjacent seats.

Really don't know why it doesn't give you the option to buy two - blame it on the marketing department!

buy one in 1st and the other in 2nd - then fight about who goes where!

I don't see any super economy 1st cl until later in the day (24€) around 4:30. Book the 12:35 train. It allows you to select 2 people in 1st cl economy (38€ each).

Enter your number of people on the first screen when you are selecting your cities.

>>>I don't believe this because when you choose the "select your seat" option you'll see all seats in the coach are available.<<<

Just because seats are available, it doesn't mean those seats will be sold at a discount.

Allow me to add that trenitalia.com isn't the world's most user friendly website.

An option is to buy from a reliable agent. You may get an upcharge. No one get excited; it's just an option.


In the past, I've enjoyed working with Byron at budgeteuropeantravel.com. I assume he sells tickets for Italian trains. No one get excited; it's just an assumption. ;-)