Train delay refunds - strategy!

[matticus]

I never remember to make accurate records of delayed trips. So:
Is it wise to claim for the biggest feasible delay? If you over-claim, will they:
- check their records of arrival times and refund you the correct amount. Or
- refuse your claim and call the Feds?

 

[classic33]

They can time the delay from when you passed through the barrier. But they don't appear to acknowledge that arriving late, by even 15 minutes, means you've missed an onward connection/journey by other means.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I claim for the full trip I was making.

 

[Jenkins]

I think they check the records and pay for the actual delay. I've underclaimed in the past and been given the correct amount by the rail company.
To get round the problem, I now send myself a message with the intended & actual arrival times and also take a photo of any paper tickets when used in case they are retained by the ticket barriers.

 

[templehead]

If you screenshot your journey on the National Rail Enquiries app, it shows the 'official' delay time in red next to the service, so you won't forget.

As Ming says, claim for the delay over the whole journey: your first train might only have been 15 minutes late but if it made you miss your connection and your total journey was an hour longer then claim for an hour. They might argue the toss, but you can appeal and whenever I have had to do this I've won.

My local railway is run by Northern, so as you can imagine I spend half my life on these compo claims...

 

[wiggydiggy]

I never remember to make accurate records of delayed trips. So:
Is it wise to claim for the biggest feasible delay? If you over-claim, will they:
- check their records of arrival times and refund you the correct amount. Or
- refuse your claim and call the Feds?

Ive always claimed the longest delay, nothing happens of they reject it, it's just rejected but can be appealed. The delay is the time after your estimated Vs the actual arrival time. If the train is an hour late departing but arrives on time, there's no claim.

Couple of things you can do to make it easier, Northern Rail offer an automatic system for advance tickets so any advance ticket I buy that is delayed is refunded automatically. You need to register for that though. The other thing is when booking tickets online/App I get emailed a .pdf of the ticket, I save all of those for attaching later to a claim.

One last thing its worth complaining anyway, I had a train canceled with less than 15 mins notice. After a few months (seriously!) of emails back and forth I got the money I spent on a replacement taxi refunded as it was a time sensitive journey and I couldn't wait for the next train.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Your concern that they might get the "feds" involved makes it sound as if you are planning to lie on your claim with some cock and bull story in order to defraud the train company and fear the consequences if you are rumbled.

I'm sure you aren't because you're an honest pillar of CC. But that's what it sounds like.

 

[Beebo]

Your concern that they might get the "feds" involved makes it sound as if you are planning to lie on your claim with some cock and bull story in order to defraud the train company and fear the consequences if you are rumbled.

I'm sure you aren't because you're an honest pillar of CC. But that's what it sounds like.

Next they’ll be claiming their work phone was stolen.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Next they’ll be claiming their work phone was stolen.

Off topic: Yes, how on earth would one know if one's work phone wasn't stolen.
Imagine the pleasure of that cheeky phone ringing to say that someone at work actually wished to speak to you.