What is Traveller?

Traveller is an exclusive club designed specifically for our regular First Class customers.

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What are the benefits?

• Free First Class weekend travel for you and a partner (weekends include all day Friday, and until noon on Monday).
• Children travel for just £10 return, and under 5's travel free.
• Priority reserved car parking in 15 of our station car parks across the UK. Priority spaces are available at any of the following stations: Birmingham International, Carlisle, Coventry, Crewe, Lancaster, Macclesfield, Oxenholme, Penrith, Preston, Rugby, Runcorn, Stafford, Warrington, Wigan and Wolverhampton.
• Priority seating in First Class on Pendolino trains.
• Complimentary alcoholic drinks in the First Class lounge at London Euston for you and a fellow First Class passenger.

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Who can join?

You can qualify for membership by making at least 8 First Class return journeys or 16 First Class single journeys on Virgin Trains routes within a consecutive three-month period, with one of the tickets having been issued within 3 months of the date of your application.

Eligible tickets are:

• First Anytime (formerly First Open)
  Return tickets must be worth £100 or more and single tickets must be worth £50 or more.
• Advance First
  Tickets must be worth £70 or more.
• Virgin Business
  Tickets must be worth £165 or more.
• Take 10
  Ticket must be a First Anytime Single or Virgin Business and must be worth £614 or more.

First Class season ticket holders are also eligible (3-month season tickets must be worth £3,010 or more, and annual season tickets must be worth £6,900 or more).

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How can I join?

Complete the application form, print it out and pop it in the post with tickets that prove your eligibility.

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How long is it valid for?

Memberships starting on or before December 2011 will last 12 months. However, due to the end of the current franchise, memberships starting from January 2012 will expire on 8 December 2012.

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End of franchise? What does this mean?

Virgin Trains currently runs the franchise for West Coast LTD which ends 8 December 2012. Although Virgin Trains are bidding to retain the franchise, we can only commit to running the Traveller scheme until the end of the current term.

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Can I renew my membership if it expires before 8 December 2012

Of course. We will still like to invite all existing members to re-qualify by following the usual qualifying criteria. It just means you may not get a full year's membership.

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Why do I need to send in the full number of qualifying tickets if my membership will be less than one year?

To ensure exclusivity, we are keeping the qualifying criteria the same to only allow dedicated First Class customers to enjoy all the benefits.

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If Virgin Trains win the West Coast bid and my membership commenced after January 2012, will my membership be extended?

We are currently working hard to retain the franchise and no decision as yet has been made for Traveller. However, we will be contacting all members to provide an update before the end of the franchise.

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If Virgin Trains don't win the West Coast bid, will the winning Train Operating Company run the same or similar program to Traveller?

This will depend on the winning Train Operating Company.

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Where do I have to buy my tickets to qualify?

You wouldn't believe how easy. We've made everything as simple as possible for you. There's a dedicated Traveller phone line and section on the website. And to enjoy the exclusive benefits, you simply need to carry your membership card and photo ID, and display the priority car parking sticker.

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Will I get my original tickets sent back to me?

Your tickets will be returned to you in your Welcome Pack along with all your other membership details, if you have requested this on your application form.

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Are photocopies of tickets acceptable?

Only clear photocopies of Season Tickets are acceptable. Any other ticket type must be supplied as an original ticket.

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What do I receive when I join?

You will receive a Welcome Pack containing a booklet outlining the club benefits, a personalised membership card, a car sticker entitling you to priority car parking at selected stations and an exclusively designed luggage tag.

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How long does it take for me to receive my membership card?

You will get your membership card within 4 weeks from when we receive your application.

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Is it easy for me to start enjoying the benefits of Traveller?

You wouldn't believe how easy. We've made everything as simple as possible for you. There's a dedicated Traveller phone line and section on the website. And to enjoy the exclusive benefits, you simply need to carry your membership card and photo ID, and display the priority car parking sticker.

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How do I book free weekend travel?

Book your free First Class weekend travel online or call our dedicated Traveller booking line on 08453 050 100.

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When can I use my free weekend travel?

Any time on a Friday and up until 12:00 on Mondays. Bookings can be made up to 18:00 the day before departure, if you collect your tickets from a FastTicket machine.

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Can my partner use my free weekend travel without me being onboard?

No, as a member of Traveller you must be present on the train at all times throughout the journey covered by the complimentary tickets.

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How far in advance can I book my ticket?

Free weekend tickets are subject to availability and can be available up to 12 weeks in advance. We strongly recommend to book at least 1 month before the departure date.

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Can I book free weekend travel if I haven't received my welcome pack yet?

You must be in receipt of your membership card before you can start to take advantage of the Traveller club benefits.

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Can I change my free weekend reservation once it is booked?

Unfortunately, once you've made a reservation for your weekend travel this can't be changed.

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How does the priority station car parking work?

There will be a fixed number of reserved spaces at certain named stations. Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. Parking spaces are marked with a Reserved for Traveller sign. A Traveller car parking pass must be displayed to take advantage of the parking. All car park charges still apply.

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How does the priority seating work?

There are a fixed number of seats in First Class in coaches H and J on Pendolino trains, which will always be set aside for Traveller Members (Monday to Friday). These seats are offered on a first come, first serve basis.

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Is it possible to book priority seats?

The priority seats cannot be reserved. If you would like to make a seat reservation please do so by calling the Traveller booking line on 08453 050 100.

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What should I do if I lose my membership card?

Call Traveller Membership Services on 08700 433 991. We'll then issue a new one for you.

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A friend of mine would like to become a member. How can they join?

Your friend will have to fill in an application form and enclose the original qualifying tickets. Application forms can be completed and printed here or alternatively can be requested by calling Traveller Membership Services on 0870 043 3991. Application forms should be returned to: Traveller FREEPOST RRAR-XEZZ-BLBX, Valldata House, 2a Halifax Road Melksham SN12 6YY.

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Did we answer all your questions?

If you have any unanswered questions, please feel free to call Traveller Membership Services on 08700 433 991.

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