On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 08:57:46 -0000, Phil Richards
wrote:

On 28 Dec 2003 16:54:28 -0800 L.S said...


Recently I purchased some Eurostar tickets off someone who didn't need
them anymore as his plans where changed and I'm starting to get
worried about using them especially on New Years Eve. I phoned up
Eurostar and they told me you can't yet my flat mates have done this
before and have been fine even when the ticket guard checked their
tickets on the train. There is also a web site where people sell there
tickets I have noticed..

A reselling website - well there's an interesting concept. I'm amazed
Eurostar haven't taken action to stop it.

So anyone out there who has done this could you help reassure me its
fine or should I start looking at staying in London..

If you can have any info could you please email me it would be great.

Strictly speaking tickets are non-transferrable if you go by section 11
of Eurostar's terms & conditions found at:

www.eurostar.co.uk & click on "Terms & Conditions"

exactly. Not transferrable.

So what you got told on the phone was correct by Eurostar. However the
chances of being picked up are very slim - tickets are checked
automatically by gates at check in which simply let you through so long
as the ticket is for the right date & time for which you are about to
board. I suppose they have the right to check name against passport/ID
details especially if you're travelling on an age related/student/rail
staff discounted fare.

except that I am entitled to travel at a discounted rate and when I did
so no one asked for the supporting ID (even though I had it with me).
Just my little test of the system.

Tickets are not checked by the train manager, a
second quick check is usually carried out by staff just as you go up to
the platform. Again to see if you're joining the train and not to check
names against passports/ID.

I agree the risks are *very* slim but it is not impossible that both
documents would be checked if some other dispute arose.

Interestingly the last time I travelled (only a few weeks ago) there was
an on board ticket inspection in the last 40 minutes or so of the
journey. This is something I have not seen done since the very earliest
days of Eurostar when they did both ticket and passport checks on train.

Don't worry there's a very nice detention room (for illegal immigrants)
on the train if you get discovered :-)
--
Paul C