Buying a train ticket on Trainline today a question came to me. I asked ChatGPT (4o version) and Pi about it.

Spoiler: Pi, which I generally prefer, had a much better answer.

“I buy UK train tickets from Trainline. If I booked today’s ticket last night, I’d be charged a £1.99 booking fee yet if I buy it this morning there’s no booking fee. Why is that?"

ChatGPT

"The discrepancy in booking fees on Trainline for purchasing tickets the night before versus the same day is likely due to Trainline's dynamic pricing and fee structure. Here are some potential reasons for this practice:

- Incentivizing Last-Minute Purchases: Trainline might waive the booking fee for same-day purchases to encourage customers to buy tickets at the last minute, potentially helping to fill more seats on trains.

- Fee Structure Variability: The booking fee structure can vary based on the time of purchase. Trainline might apply a fee for advance bookings to manage demand and reduce the likelihood of ticket cancellations or changes.

- Operational Costs: Advance bookings might incur higher operational costs for Trainline, such as reservation management and payment processing. The booking fee could help cover these costs.

- Competitive Strategy: By removing the fee for same-day purchases, Trainline might be trying to stay competitive with other ticket vendors or transport operators that do not charge a fee for last-minute bookings.

This pricing strategy can vary based on factors like time of day, demand, and specific marketing strategies that Trainline employs. If you frequently book tickets through Trainline and are looking to avoid fees, it may be helpful to check the fee policies and time-related charges regularly."

Pi

"The reason behind this lies in Trainline's ‘Advance ticket’ policy. When you book a ticket the day before your travel date, it's considered an ‘Advance ticket’, which usually comes with a lower price compared to buying tickets on the day of travel. However, Trainline charges a £1.99 booking fee for these Advance tickets.

When you purchase a ticket on the same day as your travel, it’s no longer considered an Advance ticket and therefore, the booking fee doesn't apply. So, the difference in fees you noticed is due to the distinction between Advance tickets and regular tickets. The trade-off is that while Advance tickets can be cheaper, they're less flexible in terms of changing travel plans."