Renfe: What does the "Estrella" mean in regards to the fare?
#1
Renfe: What does the "Estrella" mean in regards to the fare?
I have been playing around on the Spanish Renfe Train website.
I am looking at a Preferente (first class) fare that besides the 111EU fare there is a 68EU "Estrella" fare that I can check....is this a "special" or a specifically targeted fare that I should not use?
I am looking at a Preferente (first class) fare that besides the 111EU fare there is a 68EU "Estrella" fare that I can check....is this a "special" or a specifically targeted fare that I should not use?
#3
Sorry...I don't think so.
After I posted my question I found this excellent post on tripadvisor......Estrella is a discounted fare open to all if one can snag it.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...s.Online..html
After I posted my question I found this excellent post on tripadvisor......Estrella is a discounted fare open to all if one can snag it.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...s.Online..html
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
Estrella is a type of train, but maybe it's also a type of discounted fare, too.
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tren_Estrella
http://www.renfe.es/estrella/index.html
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tren_Estrella
http://www.renfe.es/estrella/index.html
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Geneva/Marbella
Programs: UA*G, SK-EBB, DL-G, IB-Silver Marriott Gold , HHonors Gold, SHG Gold
Posts: 992
The payment really becomes a problem as stated. I have trouble even using my spanish cards but that is more of a security problem with my bank, santander. American cards are useless and even after being asked all the way to the 3 digit security code per phone, the 20% round trip purchase was denied and the agent said American cards never work.
Finding the discounts has actually become easier as you can now book a round trip checking 2 estrellas or 2 web fares. Before they were only available as one way fares. It as just as well to buy them as one-ways though as only one discount is allowed and they are not combinable.
I am in a city that is not served by rail in Spain and therefore have no station to purchase tickets and have moved to purchasing them via a travel agent. I use Corte Ingles. I would imagine that tickets could be issued by some agents by phone, with same card and ID necessary at pick-up. Corte Ingles adds 8% service charge to the total fare. They have access to only the estrella fares as the web fares are only at Renfe site.
I have also learned a trick with the round-trip, any ticket combined with any other on the same route qualifies for a round trip fare. The same credit card must be used. That means for full flexability and still get the 20% discount by paying full fare for the one-way, then whenever you want to return within a 60 day period, the fare for the second one-way is reduced by 20% of the first one-way as well as 20% of the second one-way.
Another fact to remember is that Renfe has an on-time gaurantee. 16 to 30 minutes gives 50% cash back and 30 minutes + gives 100% refund in cash. You have to go to counter on the trains late arrival.
Finding the discounts has actually become easier as you can now book a round trip checking 2 estrellas or 2 web fares. Before they were only available as one way fares. It as just as well to buy them as one-ways though as only one discount is allowed and they are not combinable.
I am in a city that is not served by rail in Spain and therefore have no station to purchase tickets and have moved to purchasing them via a travel agent. I use Corte Ingles. I would imagine that tickets could be issued by some agents by phone, with same card and ID necessary at pick-up. Corte Ingles adds 8% service charge to the total fare. They have access to only the estrella fares as the web fares are only at Renfe site.
I have also learned a trick with the round-trip, any ticket combined with any other on the same route qualifies for a round trip fare. The same credit card must be used. That means for full flexability and still get the 20% discount by paying full fare for the one-way, then whenever you want to return within a 60 day period, the fare for the second one-way is reduced by 20% of the first one-way as well as 20% of the second one-way.
Another fact to remember is that Renfe has an on-time gaurantee. 16 to 30 minutes gives 50% cash back and 30 minutes + gives 100% refund in cash. You have to go to counter on the trains late arrival.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,307
Estrella is a type of train, but maybe it's also a type of discounted fare, too.
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tren_Estrella
http://www.renfe.es/estrella/index.html
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tren_Estrella
http://www.renfe.es/estrella/index.html
"tarifas estrella" - Star fares, what this thread is about
and
"trenes estrella" - Star trains, the overnight services that most of us veterans think of when we associate "estrella" and "RENFE".
#7
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1
here is the link
http://www.renfe.es/productos/on_tarifaestrella.html
it's a special ticket 40% cheaper but with other limitations
changes:
15% extra in same day tickets
20% extra is other day tickets
cancellations:
30% of the ticket won't be returned
you can only cancel BEFORE the train departs
http://www.renfe.es/productos/on_tarifaestrella.html
it's a special ticket 40% cheaper but with other limitations
changes:
15% extra in same day tickets
20% extra is other day tickets
cancellations:
30% of the ticket won't be returned
you can only cancel BEFORE the train departs