Not a lot to report on my journies this week. Didn't travel over the weekend - Never do. Monday was Bank Holiday so didn't go in thn either and other than some poor woman getting a full cup off coffee over her as she got on at Peterborough yesterday morning, bugger all has happened.

However there is one thing that's happened today that has pissed me right off about GNER and their idea of rewarding their most loyal customers. Before I go hurling accusations towards GNER I'll set the scene and then let fly.

Last March I took the misses and 2 rug rats on the train to Londinium so we could meet up with a mate of mine and his family and take a trip to the Natural History Museum. I booked the tickets about a week in advance but even that was farciful. Perhaps it was an omen, I don't know. I won't go into detail other than to say GNER counter staff don't always know their arse from their elbow and it took a call to National Rail Enquiries to book the tickets.

Now here's the deal they said was going to work out cheapest -
1. Purchase a family railcard for £20.
2. Purchase tickets with 1/3 off.
Semmed a bit odd but the guy on the phone assured me it was the cheapest deal available and it had the added benefit of giving us 1/3 off ALL future rail tickets (excluding my season ticket of course).

That sets the scene nicely for todays story. Me and the missus are off to see a gig in't smoke tomorrow night. Knowing that I had a family rail card and a valid season ticket for P'boro to Kings Cross (which aparently entitles you to some discounts off tickets purchased for people traveling with you) I was confident of getting some money off the full price. Ha fucking Ha. Fat chance with GNER at the helm. Turns out the Family railcard is only valid if a child is traveling with you. It also turns out my season ticket is only good for discounts off tickets booked at least 3 days in advance.

Now I ask you. What good is that? A family railcard I can't use unless I take one or more children and the season ticket (which costs me £5500 per year) entitles me to zero discount on tickets bought wiithin 3 days of the date of travel. I now sort of suspect I didn't need a railcard last time I traveled and might have been miss sold the damn thing. Can't see when I'm going to use it again as we ususally go by car everywhere. As one of GNER's most frequent traveller I also feel gutted that they can't find it within themselves to reward their most loyal customers in a similar way to Airlines and their frequent flyers etc.

There are few benefits with GNER and those that there are aren't really worth having. 4 free upgrades to 1st class (one way only), £20 of buffet vouchers, Discounts off additional tickets (GNER Trains only and only if booked well in advance) and that's about it really. No doubt next time I get stuck somewhere for 3 hours I'll tell you what their policy is re compensation for season ticket holders in such circumstances.

I knwo I slag GNER off but whilst their idea of good customer service is sadly lacking, I'm going to say it hear just so I can look back and remind myself that the one thing GNER do do quite well is get you from A to B usually on-time. There. I said it and I'll even go a little further - Overall their trains are actually quite good. They're usually clean, on time and staffed by some great personalities (If you ever meet or hear Geodie Shauns announcements you'll know what I mean).

Christ this has been a long post. Off now to live my life for a bit.