More Chunnel woes

[Tigertom]

About a year ago we purchased a Eurotunnel frequent traveller ,£44 per crossing before any supplements.
We travel off peak and aren’t to worried about the usual delays , after all we’re in a moho with everything needed to be comfortable.
The last two ‘crossings’ needed to be taken in the next couple of weeks so a short trip ( south of France/ Spain )on my motorbike was planned .
I wanted to travel at peak time so a £20 supplement was added, total £64.
Out of interest I checked what the total cost was without using frequent traveller, £50.
After contacting their chat line morons , they just didn’t get it, We will not be doing a frequent traveller again and will seriously look at ferries in the future.
They can can stick their delayed trains right up their........er......tunnel.

Postscript,
Instead, I booked Portsmouth - Santander, one person, two berth cabin and motorbike for £150 !

 

[Just smiffy]

As you’ve discovered, frequent traveler is not cost effective for a motorbike.... however, it is very cost effective for a Motorhome....

Says it all really....

 

[Minxy]

I don't understand why you thought a FT would be cheaper for a motorbike, it's really aimed at cars etc ... so are you saying not only are you going via ferry at a cost of £150 but you're also NOT going to use your FT crossings either???? That makes it an expensive trip!

 

[chaser]

I don't understand why you thought a FT would be cheaper for a motorbike, it's really aimed at cars etc ... so are you saying not only are you going via ferry at a cost of £150 but you're also NOT going to use your FT crossings either???? That makes it an expensive trip!

i thought i was the only one that could see that £20 or£150

 

[Tigertom]

Apart from the principle of paying more than someone just rockin’ up and getting a cheaper ticket than a frequent traveller there’s the little matter of fuel, tolls, hotels and food for the length of France. Easily more than £150 extra and that’s not taking wear and tear on the bike.....and me.

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[Tigertom]

I don't understand why you thought a FT would be cheaper for a motorbike, it's really aimed at cars etc ... so are you saying not only are you going via ferry at a cost of £150 but you're also NOT going to use your FT crossings either???? That makes it an expensive trip!

Why is aimed at cars, I see loads of mohos , vans, cars, bikes using the service?

 

[Minxy]

Was the price on the ET website for a 5 day return by any chance? If so they are usually cheaper than those for longer durations.

 

[Minxy]

Why is aimed at cars, I see loads of mohos , vans, cars, bikes using the service?

How do you know they are using the FT service? You can't tell from their checking-in unless you are peering over their shoulder, or ask them.

Cars etc as in larger vehicles, so includes vans, MHs, but bikes will more than likely be cheaper, depending on duration of trip and time of crossing.

I've just done a quick check and the cheapest bike crossing is £44 whereas the cheapest car crossing is £78, so for bikes it's not a great idea but for larger stuff it is.

 

[Tigertom]

It was a quote for a regular ‘one way’ fare.

 

[Speve]

Should have stuck your bike in the van you would have got two for one then

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[Minxy]

Should have stuck your bike in the van you would have got two for one then

... and no hotel bills!

 

[Minxy]

A question for the OP ... IF you hadn't had 2 crossings left on ETFT would you have even considered going away again? If not then the whole lot is an extra expense for the sake of it!

 

[Tigertom]

Should have stuck your bike in the van you would have got two for one then

I do like your thinking, unfortunately the bike is a quarter of a ton
BMW GS.

 

[Tigertom]

A question for the OP ... IF you hadn't had 2 crossings left on ETFT would you have even considered going away again? If not then the whole lot is an extra expense for the sake of it!

A mate of mine who lives in Carcassonne has just got a new bike so it’s an excuse to do a trip , hopefully with some warm weather.

 

[Tigertom]

We were going to use the crossings for a moho trip along the Mosel but other stuff got in the way!

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[Minxy]

A mate of mine who lives in Carcassonne has just got a new bike so it’s an excuse to do a trip , hopefully with some warm weather.

Ah, now I get it ... boys and new toys!

 

[Nasher]

I do like your thinking, unfortunately the bike is a quarter of a ton
BMW GS.

Suzuki gixer in photo, but my van will take much bigger bikes

GS would fit easily & I have loads of spare payload

Plus with diesel cooker, I can cook and/or make a brew with the bike in situ (I can also sleep in the van with the bike, but it's a platonic relationship - honest! )

 

[Empyrean]

As a matter of interest, can the frequent trip ticket be used by different people or do you have to provide vehicle info?

 

[PJGWiltshire]

As a matter of interest, can the frequent trip ticket be used by different people or do you have to provide vehicle info?

Technically no but there are ways around it. Both members register a Credit card to the account. When booking in the machine can ask for the credit card to be inserted.
Every time we use our Frequent trip I have not been asked this. If I was to allow a member of the family to use a crossing I suppose I could give them the CC to insert if asked. Not had need to gift crossings to family as I have needed my allocated trips.
You can use whatever vehicle you wish you just pay supplement for MH

 

[Empyrean]

Technically no but there are ways around it. Both members register a Credit card to the account. When booking in the machine can ask for the credit card to be inserted.
Every time we use our Frequent trip I have not been asked this. If I was to allow a member of the family to use a crossing I suppose I could give them the CC to insert if asked. Not had need to gift crossings to family as I have needed my allocated trips.
You can use whatever vehicle you wish you just pay supplement for MH

Do you think this wheeze would work for 2 solos if we both had are cards registered? Travelling at the same time I mean

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[mikebeaches]

Technically no but there are ways around it. Both members register a Credit card to the account. When booking in the machine can ask for the credit card to be inserted.
Every time we use our Frequent trip I have not been asked this. If I was to allow a member of the family to use a crossing I suppose I could give them the CC to insert if asked. Not had need to gift crossings to family as I have needed my allocated trips.
You can use whatever vehicle you wish you just pay supplement for MH

I'm not sure you could 'gift' your frequent traveller crossing to somebody else, apart from the shared account holder - one or other has to travel. AND you are now required to supply advance passenger information API - passport details etc.

 

[PJGWiltshire]

Do you think this wheeze would work for 2 solos if we both had are cards registered? Travelling at the same time I mean

Not sure what you mean?. A booking can be made on your account, the small print just states your CC is required to be inserted. As mentioned never had to insert a card it just recognised number plate and issued boarding ticket. We have used the crossing with our car (no supplement) and no issues

 

[PJGWiltshire]

I'm not sure you could 'gift' your frequent traveller crossing to somebody else, apart from the shared account holder - one or other has to travel. AND you are now required to supply advance passenger information API - passport details etc.

Again having the account holder on the API on the booking does not necessitate the passenger being in the vehicle as individual boarding cards are not issued

 

[mikebeaches]

Again having the account holder on the API on the booking does not necessitate the passenger being in the vehicle as individual boarding cards are not issued

So how do you explain that away at immigration? Providing false information.

 

[PJGWiltshire]

Nothing to do with immigration, I am just pointing out my observations on allowing a ticket to be used. Its against the terms and conditions but all I'm saying is that the only requirement to check this is is against CC.

API is a system that Eurotunnel supply passenger information in advance to UK/French authorities. The system enables security searches to carried out and alerts where necessary linked. If when booking a trip you show four passengers API and on the day one passenger does not travel, you do not have to go into the account and delate the entry. Once booked into travel and boarding pass issued you approach French passport control in Folkestone and ~UK in France. Never have I been challenged as to why a passenger shown on the API is not in the vehicle.

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[Spriddler]

DFDS offer a car and up to 5 people deals for very little money (per person). Less than the fare for my motorbike in fact which takes up far less room on the ferry. When I questioned this anomaly I was told that they prefer multi-occupancy vehicles because they make a good profit from the on-board sales - food, drink, shop etc.

 

[mikebeaches]

Nothing to do with immigration, I am just pointing out my observations on allowing a ticket to be used. Its against the terms and conditions but all I'm saying is that the only requirement to check this is is against CC.

API is a system that Eurotunnel supply passenger information in advance to UK/French authorities. The system enables security searches to carried out and alerts where necessary linked. If when booking a trip you show four passengers API and on the day one passenger does not travel, you do not have to go into the account and delate the entry. Once booked into travel and boarding pass issued you approach French passport control in Folkestone and ~UK in France. Never have I been challenged as to why a passenger shown on the API is not in the vehicle.

Interesting, I guess - but not something I would want to chance.

And as it happens, I'm regularly required to insert my credit card on arrival, particularly at Folkestone. Yes, the anpr recognises who I am, and flags me a personal welcome on the screen - but still asks for the cc to be insurted in order to proceed.

In fact, on a couple of occasions I've had the devil's own job to make it work and required assistance from a member of staff while a big queue builds up behind ... The staff member has then checked very carefully to ensure everything is kosher.

 

[PJGWiltshire]

Interesting, I guess - but not something I would want to chance.

And as it happens, I'm regularly required to insert my credit card on arrival, particularly at Folkestone. Yes, the anpr recognises who I am, and flags me a personal welcome on the screen - but still asks for the cc to be insurted in order to proceed.

In fact, on a couple of occasions I've had the devil's own job to make it work and required assistance from a member of staff while a big queue builds up behind ... The staff member has then checked very carefully to ensure everything is kosher.

Strange that I have never. Even more so in that since I renewed the Frequent traveller last year I have cancelled the CC that I paid for the membership and use Halifax Clarity. Shall find out next week when I use the last crossing
All the best

 

[gus-lopez]

you are now required to supply advance passenger information API - passport details etc.

But you don't have to.You can do it when you arrive.
On the couple of occasions I've unfortunately used the tunnel I have never inserted a card either. Just assumed it read the number plate ?

 

[Nasher]

DFDS offer a car and up to 5 people deals for very little money (per person). Less than the fare for my motorbike in fact which takes up far less room on the ferry. When I questioned this anomaly I was told that they prefer multi-occupancy vehicles because they make a good profit from the on-board sales - food, drink, shop etc.

Another reason, given by some ferry operators, is that motorcycles have to be secured by staff adding cost/time

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