We purchased train tickets on Omio for March 15 going from Paris to Leipzig. We have just received an email from DB saying that the itinerary is no longer possible, with no further information about rerouting or refunds. We checked with Omio, who does not show the change, and said that because the tickets are nonrefundable we'll have to buy new tickets. This doesn't make sense, as it is DB who cancelled our tickets. What are we missing here? Thanks.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8366 posts
You probably need to ask Omio if you still show as having tickets.
DB often cancels a ticket, it has happened to me on at least a third of the long journeys I have had and bought well ahead. But the ticket is still good for German trains, in fact you are then allowed to take any train that day. The tickets in other countries were still good for me, mainly because they were intercity trains in Belgium or the Netherlands. The only thing you may need to seek a refund for is any seat reservations you had in Germany.
It could be the Omio portion of your ticket is still valid, and you can take any train in Germany, but connections to premium trains in other countries can be an issue.
Like I said, check with Omio if they still show your ticket and I assume seat reservation. I would also try to contact DB, they may be able to help you rebook, or issue a refund if applicable.
Posted by
Green Bay
21749 posts
What time is your original ticket for? As Paul said, it should still be good for any train from Paris to Leipzig on March 15.
Posted by
Bavaria
2502 posts
We checked with Omio, who does not show the change, and said that because the tickets are nonrefundable we'll have to buy new tickets.
Seems to be a typical reseller problem. If that's what Omio wrote, it's completely wrong and quite astonishing. Because the message from DB you quoted above implies eo ipso that you are free to choose another train. All you have to do is buy a new seat reservation (if you want one) and submit the old one on the DB website for a refund. Your ticket is NOT canceled - it is valid for any other train within Germany. Which train connection is it? If we knew the details, we could help better.
Posted by
Wengen
2733 posts
DB often cancels a ticket, it has happened to me on at least a third
of the long journeys I have had and bought well ahead.
DB never cancels tickets. They can't. The law does not permit them to do so.
What you need to understand is this: Tickets are not for a train. Tickets are for a route. So if you have a ticket eg. Koeln to Berlin, and the train you selected during purchase for some reason is cancelled you can use that ticket on any other Koeln to Berlin train (or even combinations of trains).
You are in fact expected to check wether the schedule is still valid on your own initiative before travel. So just do that. Look up on www.bahn.de what the schedule is for the trip you want to make on March 15, and use that as a guide.
That Omio shows incomplete information is not that unusual. They are a reseller, and not a very good one.
Regarding refunds: If you bought the ticket from Omio you will have to ask for a refund from them. A change in schedule does entitle you to a refund, even on unrefundable tickets. But you may have to presist.
However if you still plan to travel I would not ask for a refund. Just do as is expected of the traveller in such a situation: Look up on www.bahn.de what the alternatives are, and just use them.
What is your original departure? It is quite possible that your departure from Paris is still valid, but that furhter down in Germany there are changes.