- Thread starterDangerMousy
- Start dateToday at 9:23 AM
DangerMousy
- May 29, 2016
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- Today at 9:23 AM
- #1
We've noticed since the demise of the Frequent Traveller tickets that we're being offered fewer chances to take an earlier train for free, has anyone else has noticed the same? None of the trains we've travelled on have appeared to be super busy judging by the number of other vehicles in the boarding lanes so I'm wondering if this is the new normal, or have we just been unlucky?
We're currently booked on the 20:18 tomorrow night but it looks like we now should be able to get there an hour or two earlier. I can change the booking (and pay an extra £26), but I'd rather get it for free 
How often are other people being offered earlier crossings at check in these days?
AlunandFelicie
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We’ve used the tunnel 3 times and each time been offered an early train for free
meanders
Funster - Life Member
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I understood it depends more on how busy they expect to be later, rather than how busy the current trains are. Ie. If all services half booked, no point in bringing you forward. If the later train is booked to capacity, and there is space on an earlier one, the they pull you forward.
Some years back we travelled out with family in another vehicle. Checked in together, both on same letter hanger. Went to boarding lanes. They were put in a different lane. They went across on the train before us!
Two on Tour
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We have taken an earlier train for free each time we have crossed, including this year.
Jacqo
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I was offered the earlier train for free. And took it! 
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Jo662
- May 7, 2011
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- Today at 9:45 AM
- #6
We have been offered an earlier train most times,including the three times we crossed last year
OP
OP
DangerMousy
- May 29, 2016
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- Today at 9:58 AM
- #7
Sounds encouraging 
meanders said:
I understood it depends more on how busy they expect to be later, rather than how busy the current trains are. Ie. If all services half booked, no point in bringing you forward. If the later train is booked to capacity, and there is space on an earlier one, the they pull you forward.
That makes a lot of sense.
rb62
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- Today at 10:07 AM
- #8
We've always been offered an earlier crossing but you can often find that due to lack of customers up to five crossings have been put on the same train! A lot depends on what time and day your crossing.
Soycd
- Today at 10:16 AM
- #9
We too, have been offered earlier trains if they are not full. There is a time limit though, 2-3 hours? I was told this by one of the folk who work on the check in. Basically if you arrive too early you either have to cough up extra, or they may let you in to park, or in some cases turn you away.
namwaldog
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- Today at 10:19 AM
- #10
We crossed in April and back again on Saturday. Offered free earlier trains both times.
We try and get there just before the 2 hours earliest check-in.
Brought forward by over an hour in April(didn't even get to sit and watch the board - straight to Passport control.
Saturday full works, Van Xray etc but still an 1 hour earlier train.
Good Luck.
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scotjimland
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- #11
Soycd said:
We too, have been offered earlier trains if they are not full. There is a time limit though, 2-3 hours? I was told this by one of the folk who work on the check in. Basically if you arrive too early you either have to cough up extra, or they may let you in to park, or in some cases turn you away.
Likewise...
if too early and you may have to pay .. or park up ..
we were a couple of hours too early , and If I recall correctly we paid €60 for an earlier train ..
Jo662
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- Today at 10:46 AM
- #12
I wonder when the balance point will fall price wise ,and they start to realise they need to sharpen there pencil to try and win the customers back that they have lost since scrapping the frequent traveller?
Andy MacD
- Today at 11:02 AM
- #13
Crossed in March and back last week, both times arriving just on 2 hours before and given free train 1 hour earlier.
That said coming back we drove on then sat in the carriage for 50 mins with no announcements for the doors to open then drive around and onto another train so ended up 30 mins later than we would have on the train we booked. Karma in there somewhere. 
scotjimland
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- Jul 25, 2007
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- #14
Jo662 said:
I wonder when the balance point will fall price wise ,and they start to realise they need to sharpen there pencil to try and win the customers back that they have lost since scrapping the frequent traveller?
source ?
Le Shuttle report doesn't bear this out
Channel Tunnel generates record profits despite fall in lorry traffic
Thursday 25 January 2024
Channel Tunnel generates record profits despite fall in lorry traffic
Eurotunnel's turnover was £1.121 billion in 2023, an increase of 8% at a constant exchange rate.
www.brusselstimes.com
gus-lopez
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- #15
scotjimland said:
source ?
Le Shuttle report doesn't bear this out
Channel Tunnel generates record profits despite fall in lorry traffic
Thursday 25 January 2024
All of that is passengers on trains+increased prices on the shuttle.[/url]
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scotjimland
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gus-lopez said:
All of that is passengers on trains+increased prices on the shuttle.[/url]
the revenue from the shuttle service remained stable at £647 million in 2023 compared to the previous year. While the number of tourist vehicles continued to grow (+6% compared to 2022),
In January 2023, Le Shuttle transported 125,684 passenger vehicles, an increase of 88%, continuing the trend of the return of passenger traffic observed over the last year.
Shuttle traffic for January 2023
press.getlinkgroup.com
D
Dolmen
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- #17
I believe it works this way. Pricing is in bands based upon the time of day, if you arrive within your price band they will let you on early for free or offer you a crossing at the premium outside your booked band. Usually make a note when I book eg 6am to 9am may be £160 to cross, if I book the 8.40 am crossing and turn up at 7.00 am, I am within that booking band and offered a free earlier train
PeterCarole29
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- #18
Soycd said:
We too, have been offered earlier trains if they are not full. There is a time limit though, 2-3 hours? I was told this by one of the folk who work on the check in. Basically if you arrive too early you either have to cough up extra, or they may let you in to park, or in some cases turn you away.
We got turn away we were 2and a half hrs early
But it was extremely busy as it was the D Day 80th celebrations
We were told to come back on the time we booked even then there was a short delay
This is the first time we have not been put on early
Last year we hen as usual we booked the standard no refund ticket on our return we had to come back a day early could not get on line so just turned up 99 euros charged but still cheaper tha a flexi ticket I seem to remember
TinaLes
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- #19
WoW! Just looked up taking the shuttle outward bound Fri 21st June for a MH 6-8mtrs, early/overnight booking time.
Standard outbound £183
Standard Refundable £213
Flexi Plus Ticket £421.
I knew prices had gone up but that is incredibly high to me, and I don't have any Tesco Vouchers.
Its going to be the ferries that get our booking, esp as we don't have pets.
LES
Jo662
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- #20
scotjimland said:
source ?
Le Shuttle report doesn't bear this out
Channel Tunnel generates record profits despite fall in lorry traffic
Thursday 25 January 2024
Channel Tunnel generates record profits despite fall in lorry traffic
Eurotunnel's turnover was £1.121 billion in 2023, an increase of 8% at a constant exchange rate.
Well that’s a surprise to me.
I know a lot of people who do not use the tunnel any more,and have gone back to using ferry’s again as they are mainly cheaper. Including many on Mfun and many other forums, so where are the increase in numbers using Le Shuttle coming from,or is it them inflating there results?
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1
15edward
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- #21
I booked a crossing fir tomorrow way back - it’s twice as much now
Even booking for mid August in February I had to search hard for cheap(er) days
Those crossings are now three times as much. Weve never crossed in holiday times before! If we ever do again I’d be booking a year in advance!
scotjimland
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Jo662 said:
Well that’s a surprise to me.
I know a lot of people who do not use the tunnel any more,and have gone back to using ferry’s again as they are mainly cheaper. Including many on Mfun and many other forums, so where are the increase in numbers using Le Shuttle coming from,or is it them inflating there results?
The results are a company report .. very much doubt they would risk legal action for falsifying ..
We are booked for a crossing next month
Total trip price: £354..
Less Tesco Club Card vouchers £90
Paid £264
Happy with that .
it may be more expensive than a ferry, didn't check, but we prefer it and the small extra cost is a small percentage of our total holiday budget ..
Jimbohorlicks
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- 15 minutes ago
- #23
Just go in earlier. Worst case they advise no and you have to wait.
We have always taken an earlier train for free.
TerryL
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- #24
On our many Chunnel crossings, both ways, I cannot remember ever being refused an earlier train. That said we tend to book for the quieter times though, which may affect our chances.
I noticed something on our last return, we were very early and of course had to go to Pet Control, which is where you get your crossing time. Thought we'd chance it, being 3+ hours early and once the paperwork was done we were offered the very next train, didn't need to wait at all.
Unless it is urgent, I would just wait for our booked time rather than pay extra as we usually plan our crossing times with our intended onward travel in mind. That last trip mucked things up a bit............!
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