Reserved seats

Deeghoungung98

we had reserved seats . The train on arrival had no reserved seating. How do We get a refund.

Krist

Which train was this? When? Where did you reserve the seats?

Did you end up not being able to sit?

Deeghoungung98

11.38 Zürich to Chur. We got seats for the staff member on the platform when we enquired that the wagons were not identified and we had reserved seating, we were told the train was not a reserve train. We had been notified early on the Swiss pass web that the train had been reconfigured with reduced wagons. We boarded the train and found seats. We made the enquirer to the ticket officer on the train could we have a refund. I’m afraid I was not impressed with how it was addressed . My issue is we paid for reserve seats . First we could not find the wagon because the wagons were not identified. Then being told that we could go and sit in the seats which were not identified because it was an old train and one had to count the wagons 1,2,3..to find the wagon. How did I know that. Not impressed with customer service.

RedBaron

Deeghoungung98 We boarded the train and found seats.

So you obviously found non reserved seats anyway. So after this experience and all the involved hassle, would you ever consider to ever reserve seats (optionally available only in IC/EC trains) again?

After decades of experience, and in my case probably having covered a distance equivalent to orbiting the Globe approx. 8-10 times in Swiss trains, I have never needed to waste money on a seat reservation.
The vast majority of locals thinks the same, that’s also why we’re not used at all to check whether a seat is already reserved when sitting down in a train.

Krist

You were probably the only ones with reserved seats on that train. Seat reservations are not needed on Swiss domestic trains. You were expected to do what everyone does: Just get on board, and find yourself seats to your liking.

It is unfortunate that you did not know this, but that is how trains work here. Trains are mass transit, used by people to go about their daily business, and as long as the train operates and is on time we consider the service as expected.

The staff member that spoke to you was probably surprised by your request, and hence may indeed not have given the answer you expected.

That said, you should request a refund of your reservation. Start here:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/help-and-contact/refunds-compensation/refunds-compensation.html

Deeghoungung98

Thank you will try the link for the refund. So far on out travels we have been impressed with the Swiss network.

Deeghoungung98

No I will not reserve a seat. Why would you. Now I have to try to obtain a refund for 3 reserved seats booked on Swiss Pass on a train which was not a reserved train . Local knowledge is great which one finds out when travelling. Happy travels.

Deeghoungung98

Happy outcome . We were refunded our money for reserved seating not provided. Thank you staff at Locarno SBB.