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Just wondering as I’ve seen it mentioned a few times online. Some national railways operate “airmile” style loyalty programs e.g. Renfe, Amtrak and DB, are we ever likely to get one here in the UK? It would also be a great opportunity for Credit Cards whether as an AMEX partner or as a dedicated credit card.
I have no insider knowledge, but I’m saying it’s not going to happen. There is no real competition here (especially with nationalisation) like there is on (for example) some of Renfe’s routes.
One exception – HS1 could well see competition soon, and I reckon those operators will have a loyalty programme (just like Eurostar does now).
https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/04/21/club-avanti-review/
Of course BAEC itself will soon no longer be an “airmile” style loyalty program
I’ve found booking virgin trains app is a good compromise as it earns you 3 virgin points per £1 (sometimes doubled to 6/£1) and they no longer charge a booking fee. The points post fairly quickly (after your ticket validity ends, to avoid refunds)
You can of course redeem points to train tickets but YMMV on the value.We had East Coast Rewards (bizzarely generous) and Virgin gave miles when they ran Virgin West Coast I think? And as above, Virgin Ticketing (completely different company, I think) still does. LNER Perks is still going, effectively 2% cashback. Club Eurostar. Many rail companies were Nectar partners. I’m not sure how many still are.
I would certainly welcome something that rewards frequent users/ high spenders with the odd upgrade, lounge, or better flexibility terms. And, like a lot of people, I’d happily pay for a Swiss-style half-fare card, but that’s never going to happen here.
I’m not sure the industry really needs to reward loyalty?
I’m happy with the cashback offered all year round via Uber, or one of the train operating companies.
A genuine 5 to 10 percent discount on any journey.I auto convert my Tesco points to Virgin Red and redeem on Virgin Trains Ticketing.
I also split ticket and use railcards for my off-peak travel, I don’t think I’d earn many rail miles because I travel off-peak mainly.Anyone with a non-British passport who needs to do a few long-distance journeys can just use an Interrail / EUrail pass for unlimited train travel in GB. You must be able to evidence foreign residency (and I have electricity bills in 3 countries) but I have never been asked for this in over 100 ticket checks.
are we ever likely to get one here in the UK?
We sort of do. There’s a “Gold” scheme for annual Season ticket holders in the South.
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/railcards/annual-gold-card/
Virgin gave miles when they ran Virgin West Coast I think?
From memory it was more a Spend threshold that when you spent a certain level on Virgin Trains you could get a free annual weekend ticket for use anywhere on the Virgin Trains Network.
I tend to buy LNER vouchers when there is a 5% rebate with MBNA.
But the glory days of also getting 5% via airtime have long gone.
But even the 5% is a better return than a few points.
are we ever likely to get one here in the UK?
We sort of do. There’s a “Gold” scheme for annual Season ticket holders in the South.
The Gold card is also one of the railcards you can have added to an Oyster card to provide 1/3 off from off-peak fares in London. I believe the cheapest season ticket that provides access to a Gold card or Gold Record card is Hatton to Lapworth, which is currently £204. I’m willing to bet there are many holders of this season ticket who don’t even know where Lapworth is!
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