Why can’t I buy train tickets online? Train line website is useless

[CormorantStrikesBack]

So I had this issue a few months ago and in a flap ended up paying more on a different website. When I get to the payment bit no matter what card I enter or PayPal it says they can’t process payment and try again later.

i tried again today and same thing. Tried my iPad, my phone and pc, two different cards and PayPal. Dh then pipes up he had the same thing a few weeks ago on his Account.

so I ring them up, they said there’s a fault on my account and it will be sorted but will take 48 hrs. There’s only 6 tickets left at this price so I told him I’d set up a different account under a different email and he said not to bother as it still won’t work.

So it’s not my account is it? I said to him there must be a system fault their end and he denied it. But I can’t see what else it could be. It’s not my account, it’s not my hardware, it’s not my cards, it’s not PayPal, it’s not even just me.

Does anyone else get this or is it just my household which has the issue? I’ve ended up paying more again via a different website. Every other website was more money, do Trainline just advertise fake, cheap tickets?

Just use a different site. It's generally cheaper to buy direct from one of the train companies than with Trainline anyway.

It was double the price buying direct which is what makes me suspicious that their website is a scam and these cheap tickets don’t exist

I buy online regularly from Trainline, the split my fare websites, the individual network sites, with my bank cards (one UK, one not) and Paypal. Never had an issue.

Have you tried creating an account with a different email?

I've used Trainline several times and it's been fine I just paid with my debit card. They also give quick refunds when my journeys were prevented by engineering works and a strike.

She literally mentions doing this in the op 🤦‍♀️

Seat61.com gave the best advice: www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-britain.htm#how-to-buy-tickets

Don't use a third party booking site like the train line - tfw.wales works for the whole of the UK and with no booking fees.

This doesn't help, and is not with Train Line, but I have this issue with Nike website! No matter what computer/card/account I use, it always says error and I can't proceed! Have given up trying now as it just will not let me buy anything!

I used split ticket.com in the end, was more than trainline but cheaper than direct. I’ll look at seat61 next time, thanks.

I use Trip.com App. No booking fee. https://uk.trip.com/trains/uk/

Did you try National Rail - they are an umbrella site searching best prices.
Trainline are not scamming.

Yes, they were £70 compared to £33.

I use trainline never had a problem. They have released tickets for London earlier than the rail company so I am able to reserve seats.

I use Trainline and it’s been OK, but hasn’t always shown when trains are cancelled, or shown all the trains that are running.

Trainline has been fine for me but I can't buy direct from Southeastern. It only accepts PayPal. DH has a PayPal account so I have to log in as him. Multiple cards, it just won't accept any of them. Don't have that problem anywhere else.

It’ll be interesting to see what they say the problem is when they contact me I guess. Just seems really odd.

I’ve had a response, seems I was blocked for some reason. No idea why, I’ve used them in the past on this account with no problem.

“We run a number of automated security checks and your booking was caught up in this process as we were unable to validate some of your details.

I have now reviewed your details and updated our records to allow you to go ahead and book tickets.”

The only thing I can possibly think is that Dd who lives here got her debit card details stolen ages ago and her card was used to spend £700 on train tickets via the train line. Barclays refunded her.

So maybe our address was blacklisted? Which would explain why dh had the same issue and also why the guy said me setting up a new account via a new email wouldn’t work.

No she doesn't. She said the Trainline guy said not to bother.

It's hard because you can't find someone with no booking fees that does the split tickets.

@CormorantStrikesBack For future bookings, go onto Railforums and look at their ticket booking app/site - I have always found it very good.

Same problem - with different accounts and different cards on Trainline. My husband has it too. I am now deleting the app as it happens every time but I forget and still try to book again when in a hurry!

Used trainline at the weekend, an hour before boarding the train. Good price, no issues.

I feel your pain OP. The Avanti Westcoast web site was unreachable when I tried last week, so I went into our local station and got the man behind the counter to book a South Coast to Scotland trip for me. TrainLine was more expensive.

The old fashioned way does at least still work.

It turns out our IP address was flagged/blocked and we were all suspected of being possible fraudsters so TrainLine wouldn't let us buy tickets.

Which explains why dh and dd couldn't either. We've been unblocked now.

So I bought my tickets and then a strike was announced so had to get a refund!!!!

I use the Trainline a fair bit to book tickets for going to my mother's. I've booked some this morning. No issues.

You were just unlucky. Security checks come up wherever you are now and then.

this is literally happening to me right now, 2 days of failed attempts on app and website, using all my bank and credit cards, even used my wifes. They said 48-72hrs to investigate

need a train in the morning !!