Re: RENFE reservation rip-off

"Crazy man" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> Having just used a 8 day Spanish Euro Domino costing 260 EURO, I wonder if
> RENFE have to right to then charge 6 EURO (MINIMUM) for a COMPULSORY
> reservation on ALL TYPES of express trains.

Usually, the basic reservation fee is EUR 3...


> (I understand even new TRD DMU's
> now require reservations!).

It has always been so.


> Surely having already paid equivalent of 32.50 EURO a day they can give you
> a free (or at least reduced reservation)?
> 
> A friend is wanting to travel Bilbao - Vigo soon on the day train, the coach
> from Bilbao goes to A Coruña,

That coach stands alone behind a 252 on Bilbao-Miranda de Ebro...


 the coach that DOES go to Vigo comes from
> Irún.

Together with a coach Irun-A Coruna...


 So they will need to pay 12 EURO for the privilege of HAVING to walk
> from one carriage to another with their stupid rules!

If you just plan a small number of journeys, especially on
lower-ranking services, buying a normal ticket may be cheaper,
especially if you are elegible for a Railplus discount...

Only if you travel on higher-ranking services will a Pass be worth it.

While changing trains indeed requires a further reservation, I really
wonder what it might be on Barcelona-Badajoz. Through cars between
both cities were withdrawn upon introduction of high-speed services on
12/10/2003. Yet, RENFE offers a special gobal fare on tha route,
cheaper than overlaping Barcelona-Madrid and Madrid-Badajoz segments.


> RENFE are doing rather well out of this! Too well I say!

Passholders are not RENFE's priority.

 
> Their other trick is to offer an overnight (El Ferrol - Madrid) with sleeper
> and first class only!

Yes, Couchette cars ara now stored, waiting for a purchaser or for
their turn to the scrapyard...

But on Trenhotel services, you can travel in T4 Sleeping-cars for as
little as EUR 19 or 20.


> Seems they make the rules themselves!
> 
> Wonder what UIC (or ever makes fare rules for Europe thinks of this).

Such passes can not be imposed on operators. If they accept them, it
is on their own will, and subject to the conditions they think fit.


Best regards.

Phil