Skipping a train segment
Jun 26, 2018, 11:13 am
#46
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, CDG, NCE
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,621
Thanks - this is the firm statement that I just had't seen anywhere.
I actually also googled and see a picture of it now. I've never noticed it in Midi, but never been looking for it.
Ha! I didn't mean WHY they enforce it - it wasn't well phrased - I meant why people were saying that they were enforcing it. Thanks though.
I actually also googled and see a picture of it now. I've never noticed it in Midi, but never been looking for it.
Yes there is an AF/KLM counter at Brussels Midi station. Depending on the time of the day, they will potentially take your checked luggage there, and you will never see it again before your end destination, or you may have to re-check it yourself in Paris. However, in any case, you need to check-in there, and they will give you a boarding pass that you can use on the TGV (yes, a boarding pass).
if you look at post #35 , OP says that last month he did the opposite itinerary and he got train ticket when checking in (in CDG), don't know about the AF counter in MIDI station, i let someone with experience comment on it, but OP in same post also says you must go to Midi station to get your train ticket.
for the WHY question, my guess is that it is normal that they enforce it a little bit, don't you think? otherwise, eveyone will buy tickets oringinating ZYR when cheaper and start from CDG.
for the WHY question, my guess is that it is normal that they enforce it a little bit, don't you think? otherwise, eveyone will buy tickets oringinating ZYR when cheaper and start from CDG.
Jun 26, 2018, 11:41 am
#47
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, CDG, NCE
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,621
But here's another idea, just in case it's useful to anyone:
Given the 24 hour rule, you an actually do a separate one-way up to BXL-Midi on the train, then come back the same day on the first leg of a ZYR-CDG-XXX, sleep in PAR and then wake up and catch a long-haul flight in the morning (or afternoon) the next day.
It's a little crazy (For me as a DL flyer I don't even get any miles for the train leg - not sure about FB members) but I have a bunch of work that I can just as easily do in a train seat as I can at my desk.
I've done this a couple of times from small US cities to take advantage of "Double Miles for flights from XXX" Promotions - to double up miles from the long haul portions of those flights.
In this case, even taking into account the cost of the Thalys ticket, it can save me 500+E for the round trip - plus apply the suggestions above and you can end up in Paris on the return flight.
Given the 24 hour rule, you an actually do a separate one-way up to BXL-Midi on the train, then come back the same day on the first leg of a ZYR-CDG-XXX, sleep in PAR and then wake up and catch a long-haul flight in the morning (or afternoon) the next day.
It's a little crazy (For me as a DL flyer I don't even get any miles for the train leg - not sure about FB members) but I have a bunch of work that I can just as easily do in a train seat as I can at my desk.
I've done this a couple of times from small US cities to take advantage of "Double Miles for flights from XXX" Promotions - to double up miles from the long haul portions of those flights.
In this case, even taking into account the cost of the Thalys ticket, it can save me 500+E for the round trip - plus apply the suggestions above and you can end up in Paris on the return flight.
Jun 26, 2018, 1:30 pm
#48
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: FB platinum
Posts: 372
I'm not surprised that you never saw it: even when you are looking for it, it is very hard to find (anything is hard to find in this train station...).
Jun 26, 2018, 2:07 pm
#49
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Paris
Programs: FB Platinum, All Accor Platinum
Posts: 529
But here's another idea, just in case it's useful to anyone:
Given the 24 hour rule, you an actually do a separate one-way up to BXL-Midi on the train, then come back the same day on the first leg of a ZYR-CDG-XXX, sleep in PAR and then wake up and catch a long-haul flight in the morning (or afternoon) the next day.
It's a little crazy (For me as a DL flyer I don't even get any miles for the train leg - not sure about FB members) but I have a bunch of work that I can just as easily do in a train seat as I can at my desk.
I've done this a couple of times from small US cities to take advantage of "Double Miles for flights from XXX" Promotions - to double up miles from the long haul portions of those flights.
In this case, even taking into account the cost of the Thalys ticket, it can save me 500+E for the round trip - plus apply the suggestions above and you can end up in Paris on the return flight.
Given the 24 hour rule, you an actually do a separate one-way up to BXL-Midi on the train, then come back the same day on the first leg of a ZYR-CDG-XXX, sleep in PAR and then wake up and catch a long-haul flight in the morning (or afternoon) the next day.
It's a little crazy (For me as a DL flyer I don't even get any miles for the train leg - not sure about FB members) but I have a bunch of work that I can just as easily do in a train seat as I can at my desk.
I've done this a couple of times from small US cities to take advantage of "Double Miles for flights from XXX" Promotions - to double up miles from the long haul portions of those flights.
In this case, even taking into account the cost of the Thalys ticket, it can save me 500+E for the round trip - plus apply the suggestions above and you can end up in Paris on the return flight.
Jun 26, 2018, 4:08 pm
#50
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, CDG, NCE
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 2,621
Absolutely.
On AF.com...or maybe it was AF.be
Have NOT found an alternative though - Wanted an OTA that would give me 24 hours to cancel and couldn't find any that would see ZYR as a valid leg (although ITA gets it.)
On AF.com...or maybe it was AF.be
Have NOT found an alternative though - Wanted an OTA that would give me 24 hours to cancel and couldn't find any that would see ZYR as a valid leg (although ITA gets it.)
Jul 1, 2018, 1:57 pm
#51
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 453
I did a "half skip" of the train leg today as I mentioned in an earlier post: I did JFK/CDG with a train ticket on to ZYR. Boarded the train but got off in Lille, which is the last station in France.
Side note, I'm sure it's been mentioned already but I found it quite confusing at CDG that there is one specific check in area JUST for Brussels and Strasbourg connections (named AIR&RAIL) while for all other destinations (named TGV Air), it's on the other side of the train hall.
The AIR&RAIL people were very nice and since I had 2 hours to kill before my train, and since I am AF Gold, they immediately and proactively suggested that I go to the arrival lounge at 2C (I'm still baffled by how little to no signage there is to find that lounge, btw).
Also weirdly enough, my XP and miles showed up in my FB account for the train segment immediately after my trip, but nothing for the plane segment.
Side note, I'm sure it's been mentioned already but I found it quite confusing at CDG that there is one specific check in area JUST for Brussels and Strasbourg connections (named AIR&RAIL) while for all other destinations (named TGV Air), it's on the other side of the train hall.
The AIR&RAIL people were very nice and since I had 2 hours to kill before my train, and since I am AF Gold, they immediately and proactively suggested that I go to the arrival lounge at 2C (I'm still baffled by how little to no signage there is to find that lounge, btw).
Also weirdly enough, my XP and miles showed up in my FB account for the train segment immediately after my trip, but nothing for the plane segment.
Jul 2, 2018, 2:38 am
#52
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,117
(...) Side note, I'm sure it's been mentioned already but I found it quite confusing at CDG that there is one specific check in area JUST for Brussels and Strasbourg connections (named AIR&RAIL) while for all other destinations (named TGV Air), it's on the other side of the train hall. (...)
Other TGV Air destinations are the result of a cooperation between SNCF and the airline (s).
It would certainly make sense to include ZYR and XER in the TGV AIr scheme, but internal resistance at AF must prevent it from happening.
Jul 2, 2018, 9:14 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,362
). OTOH, they certainly used to fly to SXB....
Jul 2, 2018, 10:06 am
#54
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: France
Programs: FB Plat for Life, UAMP, BAEC, Accor ALL Platinum, Marriott silver, Hilton, Meliá silver.
Posts: 3,117
Oct 19, 2018, 7:49 pm
#55
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,048
Slightly different question to the ones asked numerous times above, so thought it may be worth asking.
Trying to use FB miles to book Reims-CDG-LAX. As of now, I can only book the 7:20am flight which is a) early and b) leaves me 5.5 hours at CDG (and I am not flying P). My wife and I would not have bags, just carry-on.
1) If we checked-in and took the train tickets for reims - CDG but then actually traveled on a later train that we paid for on our own, would AF know and cancel our flight?
2) Has anyone tried changing just the train segment of an award itinerary?
I find it weird that on the date I want in February they have later trains available for travel to east coast flights, but not to LAX or SFO. I even looked at the schedule if I were to pay for the ticket and they are not selling them at all.
Also, the reason I am not just booking CDG-LAX is because the direct is 120k miles, including a train segment makes it 57.5k miles
Trying to use FB miles to book Reims-CDG-LAX. As of now, I can only book the 7:20am flight which is a) early and b) leaves me 5.5 hours at CDG (and I am not flying P). My wife and I would not have bags, just carry-on.
1) If we checked-in and took the train tickets for reims - CDG but then actually traveled on a later train that we paid for on our own, would AF know and cancel our flight?
2) Has anyone tried changing just the train segment of an award itinerary?
I find it weird that on the date I want in February they have later trains available for travel to east coast flights, but not to LAX or SFO. I even looked at the schedule if I were to pay for the ticket and they are not selling them at all.
Also, the reason I am not just booking CDG-LAX is because the direct is 120k miles, including a train segment makes it 57.5k miles
Last edited by uclabruin82; Oct 19, 2018 at 8:07 pm Reason: clarification
Oct 20, 2018, 12:28 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 177
Slightly different question to the ones asked numerous times above, so thought it may be worth asking.
Trying to use FB miles to book Reims-CDG-LAX. As of now, I can only book the 7:20am flight which is a) early and b) leaves me 5.5 hours at CDG (and I am not flying P). My wife and I would not have bags, just carry-on.
1) If we checked-in and took the train tickets for reims - CDG but then actually traveled on a later train that we paid for on our own, would AF know and cancel our flight?
2) Has anyone tried changing just the train segment of an award itinerary?
I find it weird that on the date I want in February they have later trains available for travel to east coast flights, but not to LAX or SFO. I even looked at the schedule if I were to pay for the ticket and they are not selling them at all.
Also, the reason I am not just booking CDG-LAX is because the direct is 120k miles, including a train segment makes it 57.5k miles
Trying to use FB miles to book Reims-CDG-LAX. As of now, I can only book the 7:20am flight which is a) early and b) leaves me 5.5 hours at CDG (and I am not flying P). My wife and I would not have bags, just carry-on.
1) If we checked-in and took the train tickets for reims - CDG but then actually traveled on a later train that we paid for on our own, would AF know and cancel our flight?
2) Has anyone tried changing just the train segment of an award itinerary?
I find it weird that on the date I want in February they have later trains available for travel to east coast flights, but not to LAX or SFO. I even looked at the schedule if I were to pay for the ticket and they are not selling them at all.
Also, the reason I am not just booking CDG-LAX is because the direct is 120k miles, including a train segment makes it 57.5k miles
It seems rare these days that I ever see the ticket inspectors on the TGV yet I still get my points
Oct 20, 2018, 10:34 am
#57
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,048
I guess they would know based on one of the original posts that mentioned that you AF checks for a stamped train ticket when you get to CDG to board the flight. Is this no longer the case?
Oct 20, 2018, 11:08 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,362
Even if it were the case, and assuming that stamped in this context means what is referred to as 'composté' in French railways parlance, why not get it stamped when picking it up from the station?
Oct 20, 2018, 11:12 am
#59
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 177
In all the times I have taken the TGV Air not once has anyone asked to see my rail ticket.
Oct 20, 2018, 6:23 pm
#60
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,048
Thanks NickB and TographerE.
To answer your questions, I am going to go ahead and book the flight with the early train from Champagne and just take the later train on our own. To answer your question NickB, I did not realize that I could get it "composte" when we picked it up, I thought they did it on the train. If I can get it done when we pick it up the night before, that is even better. TographerE, hopefully the same holds true for us!
To answer your questions, I am going to go ahead and book the flight with the early train from Champagne and just take the later train on our own. To answer your question NickB, I did not realize that I could get it "composte" when we picked it up, I thought they did it on the train. If I can get it done when we pick it up the night before, that is even better. TographerE, hopefully the same holds true for us!