Eurostar launches new ‘flexible’ tickets and it’s good news for passengers
EUROSTAR is introducing new flexible tickets this year, making travel much more convenient for travellers.
The new policy will allow passengers to exchange their tickets as many times as they need for no extra fee.
From November, the international rail company is promising all customers “a premium proposition in terms of refunds and exchanges” in all classes for European travel.
This new aftersales policy is designed to “further enhance the customer experience” and means changes can easily be made to existing bookings for anyone whose circumstances change.
The policy is part of several changes being brought in, alongside new travel classes.
Standard, Standard Premier and Business Premier classes on cross-channel routes and Standard, Comfort and Premium classes on Continental routes will be replaced by three new classes.
They include Eurostar Standard, which includes the new flexible ticket exchange policy, while light refreshments and drinks remain available to purchase from the Eurostar café on cross-channel and continental routes.
There’s also Eurostar Plus, which has extra comfy seating, more workspace and a light meal and on-board drinks service on cross-channel routes.
Finally, there’s Eurostar Premier which offers extra flexibility, an all-day boarding guarantee, exclusive lounge access, a premium food experience and a dedicated priority lane on cross-channel routes.
All customers will have luggage fees, no seat booking fees, free Wi-Fi and a charging point at every seat.
The new ticket exchange policy isn’t the same for each class.
Eurostar Standard and Eurostar Plus passengers can exchange their ticket without any exchange fee and as many times as needed until just one hour before departure.
What does this mean for Eurostar passengers?
The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey explains what this means for travellers.
THE Eurostar is a great, flight-free way to travel, but could easily get expensive if needing to change tickets last minute.
Passengers could previously be left out of pocket, with fees being £30 to change a ticket as well as the cost of the difference.
The new rules will come as a welcome change, especially as they allow changes to not only be free, but to be allowed up to one hour before travel.
So if you find yourself delayed, be it your own train or flight to St Pancras to board Eurostar, you can easily change it to later that day, or even a different day entirely.
They can ask for a refund until 7 days before departure, with tickets refundable with 25€/£25 per person and per leg up.
Exchanges are fee-free but there may be a difference in fare to pay if the new fare selected is more expensive than the one that was originally booked.
Meanwhile, customers in Eurostar Premier can exchange or refund their tickets without any fee up to two days after their departure.
Sales for Eurostar’s new travel classes opened today, April 23, for travel from November 4 onwards.
The new aftersales policy takes immediate effect from April 23 for Standard, Standard Premier and Comfort classes.
However, new aftersales conditions for Eurostar Premier will start from November 4.
Until now, adults would have to pay a £30 fee to exchange their tickets, while kids tickets were always free to swap.
Therefore a family of four would have to pay at least £60 to change their tickets.
Customers can manage any necessary changes directly via the Eurostar app.
Matthieu Quyollet, Chief Business Development & Integration Officer said: “Eurostar is setting new standards for international travel by providing the greatest flexibility, clarity and comfort to customers looking to enjoy Europe in the most sustainable way.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
“The new aftersales policy across all of Eurostar’s travel classes means that all customers can now take advantage of more flexibility and choice than ever before and enjoy a unique travel experience for their summer holiday or autumn break.”
Meanwhile, this new 19-hour train journey has launched in Europe between two major city break destinations.
And another new night train is coming to Europe this year.