What's the point of reserving a seat when purchasing an Off-Peak/Anytime train ticket with National Rail?
My understanding is that Off-Peak UK National Rail train tickets can be used on any train serving the selected route, as long as the travelling time window fits in the off-peak definition. Or Buy anytime, travel off peak, as National Rail puts it. Similarly, Anytime tickets allow passengers to travel at any time, as the name suggests.
However when I was booking my Off-Peak ticket I was asked if I wished to reserve a seat. Wouldn't that go against the whole principle of travelling any time provided you travel off-peak? In other words, does reserving a seat linked to an Off-Peak/Anytime journey force me to travel on that particular train, or am I still free to pick the one that suits me best?
Just to add some context, I'm looking to book a fairly complex train journey with 3+ connections, crossing 2 countries. I am therefore worried of delays which might cause me to miss my connecting trains. My rationale would be to buy Off-Peak tickets so that I can travel on any train, thus removing delayed connections from the equation. Upon booking I saw that both Advance as well as Off-Peak tickets can be purchased. I'm worried that reserving a seat would invalidate my right to pick any train I wish.
Best Answer
No the validity of the ticket is not affected and moreover you may sit where you want on the actual train
However if it is a busy train with no available seats (and this does happen off peak) you are entitled to your reserved seat, and this will be enforced by the train guard (in theory).
In practise though I usually have no wish to eject someone less able to stand than myself.
A second point is that a lot of purchasers of those tickets have no wish for flexibility anyway but inventory management has prevented them from buying cheaper inflex tickets. It would be slightly perverse if the cheapest tickets came with a guaranteed seat but the more expensive tickets might leave you stood on your feet (when they are both bought well in advance).
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Can you reserve seats on off-peak trains?
Seat reservations typically open 3 months in advance, if you booked a flexible ticket (Anytime, Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak) before then you will not have been allocated a seat, however you may be able to reserve a seat closer to the time.Can I book a seat with an off-peak ticket?
The seat you are given when buying an Advance Single ticket cannot be changed. Seats for flexible tickets such as Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak can be.Can you use an off-peak ticket anytime of day?
Off-Peak Day Single tickets are valid for outward travel on the date shown on the ticket and until 04:29 the following morning. Not applicable.Do you have to reserve a seat on the train?
Even without a seat reservation your tickets are still valid and you can sit in any vacant unreserved seat for the appropriate class of travel for your journey.Rnbstylerz \u0026 AREES - WHAT
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