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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Splitsavers always taking my reserved seat!!

153 replies

Chatandtea · 08/07/2023 12:28

Is it just me but seems majority of time I get on a train, a person with a split saver ticket has taken my seat not realising that their ticket has only reserved a seat for 1 leg of their journey. Frustrated that people don’t check their reservations more thoroughly but also that the trains companies/sellers are allowing this confusion to roll on and on. Often spoils journey trying to sort the issue out

OP posts:
Flapjacker48 · 08/07/2023 12:30

Buying split tickets is a way to get the cheapest fare possible, maybe you don't need to worry about costs.....

Chemenger · 08/07/2023 12:31

Flapjacker48 · 08/07/2023 12:30

Buying split tickets is a way to get the cheapest fare possible, maybe you don't need to worry about costs.....

So the OP should just give them her seat? They should make sure they book a seat for their whole journey.

Original poster
Chatandtea · 08/07/2023 12:32

Flapjacker48 · 08/07/2023 12:30

Buying split tickets is a way to get the cheapest fare possible, maybe you don't need to worry about costs.....

My issue is they are often sitting in my reserved seat and yes I have to watch the pennies just as much as everyone else.

OP posts:
EmeraldFox · 08/07/2023 12:34

Just tell them it's your seat from this stop onwards when you get on. I've seen reserved seats unoccupied so it would be fine for them to sit there until you turn up.

AngeloMysterioso · 08/07/2023 12:35

Just… explain it’s your reserved seat and ask them to move?

Original poster
Chatandtea · 08/07/2023 12:37

EmeraldFox · 08/07/2023 12:34

Just tell them it's your seat from this stop onwards when you get on. I've seen reserved seats unoccupied so it would be fine for them to sit there until you turn up.

Yes I do but they say it’s their seat until I mention the whole split saver thing and they check and find actually it isn’t their seat for that part of the journey. It just spoils what should be a nice relaxing journey and just seems to happen more often than not

OP posts:
MagpiePi · 08/07/2023 12:37

Flapjacker48 · 08/07/2023 12:30

Buying split tickets is a way to get the cheapest fare possible, maybe you don't need to worry about costs.....

So the person who paid the least for their ticket gets the reserved seat even if they haven’t booked it?

JonnyBriggs · 08/07/2023 12:39

Flapjacker48 · 08/07/2023 12:30

Buying split tickets is a way to get the cheapest fare possible, maybe you don't need to worry about costs.....

Which has nothing to do with sitting in a seat someone else has reserved...

LaPerduta · 08/07/2023 12:43

Flapjacker48 · 08/07/2023 12:30

Buying split tickets is a way to get the cheapest fare possible, maybe you don't need to worry about costs.....

Or maybe the OP starts her journey after the person who's bought the split tickets. Doesn't mean she shouldn't be able to use the seat she's booked.

EmeraldFox · 08/07/2023 12:44

Chatandtea · 08/07/2023 12:37

Yes I do but they say it’s their seat until I mention the whole split saver thing and they check and find actually it isn’t their seat for that part of the journey. It just spoils what should be a nice relaxing journey and just seems to happen more often than not

Show quote history

So they check their ticket and move? I don't get the fuss.

funinthesun19 · 08/07/2023 12:49

Flapjacker48 · 08/07/2023 12:30

Buying split tickets is a way to get the cheapest fare possible, maybe you don't need to worry about costs.....

Not OP’s problem if other people are worried about costs. If it’s not their seat then it’s not their seat.

TimesRwo · 08/07/2023 12:51

Flapjacker48 · 08/07/2023 12:30

Buying split tickets is a way to get the cheapest fare possible, maybe you don't need to worry about costs.....

Whats that got to do with them sitting in the wrong seat?

By all means book split savers and save the money…but don’t expect the comfort of a seat for the whole journey.

Original poster
Chatandtea · 08/07/2023 12:53

EmeraldFox · 08/07/2023 12:44

So they check their ticket and move? I don't get the fuss.

Show quote history

It’s just the confrontation isn’t pleasant, having to publicly point out they’re in the wrong, them gathering up their stuff and having to find another seat, it really puts me off using the trains, frustrated at them and the train companies. Surely this enduring situation can be sorted out somehow

OP posts:
Fraaahnces · 08/07/2023 12:53

They probably know exactly what they’re doing and being CF’s anyway.

Leftbutcameback · 08/07/2023 12:54

I suspect this is people who use a website which does the splitting for them. We have to book manually for work, and so you always get different reserved seats and it’s obvious. It’s a pain esp if they are in different carriages but necessary because of our terrible railway pricing.

Leftbutcameback · 08/07/2023 12:55

Do you use a route which is often split OP? I think Birmingham routes are very common.

Original poster
Chatandtea · 08/07/2023 12:58

Fraaahnces · 08/07/2023 12:53

They probably know exactly what they’re doing and being CF’s anyway.

I do wonder, had someone the other week who insisted on staying in my seat because someone else had taken her seat and left me standing to wait for a conductor to try and find out why the other person had taken her seat. It turned out it hadn’t been her seat, she hadn’t any seat reserved for that split saver leg of her journey

OP posts:
Original poster
Chatandtea · 08/07/2023 12:59

Leftbutcameback · 08/07/2023 12:55

Do you use a route which is often split OP? I think Birmingham routes are very common.

Yes the long distance routes, and deft are always packed these days which makes the situation worse

OP posts:
JudgeRudy · 08/07/2023 13:00

Flapjacker48 · 08/07/2023 12:30

Buying split tickets is a way to get the cheapest fare possible, maybe you don't need to worry about costs.....

Irrelevant

Original poster
Chatandtea · 08/07/2023 13:03

Leftbutcameback · 08/07/2023 12:54

I suspect this is people who use a website which does the splitting for them. We have to book manually for work, and so you always get different reserved seats and it’s obvious. It’s a pain esp if they are in different carriages but necessary because of our terrible railway pricing.

maybe they need a red flashing sign come up on their device at booking to point it out to them as they always act as if they’re totally unaware. Even when the actual reservation screen clearly not displaying seat reserved for their entire journey. E.g they are going London to Edinburgh but seat screen says reserved from Kings X to York and underneath York to Newcastle

OP posts:
AllyCart · 08/07/2023 13:14

Leftbutcameback · 08/07/2023 12:54

I suspect this is people who use a website which does the splitting for them. We have to book manually for work, and so you always get different reserved seats and it’s obvious. It’s a pain esp if they are in different carriages but necessary because of our terrible railway pricing.

Even Trainline automatically works out and recommends split tickets now so you'd almost have to actively avoid buying splits unless you go directly to the train company's site.

It does make it very clear what's what with regard to seat reservations, though. As said above its most likely just people wilfully ignoring the reservation.

EmeraldFox · 08/07/2023 13:20

Chatandtea · 08/07/2023 12:53

It’s just the confrontation isn’t pleasant, having to publicly point out they’re in the wrong, them gathering up their stuff and having to find another seat, it really puts me off using the trains, frustrated at them and the train companies. Surely this enduring situation can be sorted out somehow

Show quote history

They'd have to gather their things and move even if they were aware that the Y to Z reservation was likely to turn up, so it's only the unaware bit that's the issue surely?

Gizlotsmum · 08/07/2023 13:28

I have a split saver tomorrow. Checked today and my seat changes for the inbound journey but not for the homeward one. It is frustrating as I didn’t choose the seat reservations but I will move before my second part starts… luckily I am not taking much as they are several coaches apart.

Original poster
Chatandtea · 08/07/2023 13:30

EmeraldFox · 08/07/2023 13:20

They'd have to gather their things and move even if they were aware that the Y to Z reservation was likely to turn up, so it's only the unaware bit that's the issue surely?

Show quote history

Yes it’s mainly the unaware bit, it a awkward enough when someone in your seat as it is (even if they are aware) but then to have to suggest it might be because they’ve got a split saver and haven’t realised is super awkward. I usually just wait for the conductor to come through to sort it out but that can be 10-15 minutes into the journey if of standing there etc. Just feel there needs to be a better system and people are in the wrong to just chance it. We had a table seat the other week with kids (1 no reserved seat as under 5) we made sure at each stop we took them out of unoccupied reserved seat to avoid an awkward situation in case the person whose seat it was did get on

OP posts:
Original poster
Chatandtea · 08/07/2023 13:33

Gizlotsmum · 08/07/2023 13:28

I have a split saver tomorrow. Checked today and my seat changes for the inbound journey but not for the homeward one. It is frustrating as I didn’t choose the seat reservations but I will move before my second part starts… luckily I am not taking much as they are several coaches apart.

If only everyone was like you, thank you!

OP posts: