Eurotunnel - stopped at terminal travelling with Ocean on high car ticket.

[Velma's Dad]

Is it so important to save a few quid so you could come on a forum in some form of masturbatory raindance pumping chest to say "look at me and how clever I have been"?

That's us proper told. I've taken my computer to sit on the naughty step to type this. We're very very sorry. We won't do it again. Promise...

 

[Amarillo]

Tom,

The OP is about an Ocean.

@MattBW has a letter from ET establishing that as far as ET is concerned beach is a high car.

Why you should think my post about taking a gamble travelling as a high car rather than a camper refers to you or to specifically anyone else is beyond me.

My point is, imo, attempting to travel as a non-camper when the clearly on display kitchen, cooking facilities and gas plumbing screams "I'm campervan" is simply not worth the gamble just to shave a few quid off the price and have the ego trip of saying "Got them!".

Frankly if I wanted to take a gamble then I would go into William Hill's and put money down on Arsene Wenger managing Manchester United by the end of the season. At least that way my holiday would not be screwed up and my vehicle stranded at an ET terminal if I lost.

In that case I am in complete agreement with you.


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[stephen watson]

That's us proper told. I've taken my computer to sit on the naughty step to type this. We're very very sorry. We won't do it again. Promise...

I assumed GJ's rather strange comment was directed to me as the OP. Certainly wasn't my intention to brag about anything. I think if you read my OP it's clear that it was a point of information to share with anyone else who has booked as a high car and incidentally as it was a phone booking and I was told as "it had windows all round" was allowed. Anyway I'm always pleased to read what you write GJ so sorry if I've inadvertently upset you!

 

[GrannyJen]

I assumed GJ's rather strange comment was directed to me as the OP. Certainly wasn't my intention to brag about anything. I think if you read my OP it's clear that it was a point of information to share with anyone else who has booked as a high car and incidentally as it was a phone booking and I was told as "it had windows all round" was allowed. Anyway I'm always pleased to read what you write GJ so sorry if I've inadvertently upset you!

Apologies Stephen if you thought that. It was in no way directed at you, or anyone in particular, on this forum at least.

Quite the opposite, I think it was quite brave and honest of you to share it and I'm sure many are grateful for that information, including me.

If it was directed at anyone it was at someone sadly no longer with us in this world, someone who would whoop with joy and be almost chest-beating ecstatic if he could shave a few quid off a deal by being circuitous and someone to whom more than once I had to remind that the time, hassle and stress to achieve what he had achieved probably meant that he had just spent a pound to save a shilling

Stephen, again my apologies. It was meant to be slightly tongue in cheek, not to upset anyone, especially someone who had brought something so important to the forum.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Aw go on GJ, I was loving it. Poor Stephen hasn't seen enough of your posts to know when you're taking the pi$$. We know better.

Masturbatory raindance... is that another of the scheduled events at Club meets then? (Before the Marco Polo burning?)

 

[WelshGas]

Aw go on GJ, I was loving it. Poor Stephen hasn't seen enough of your posts to know when you're taking the pi$$. We know better.

Masturbatory raindance... is that another of the scheduled events at Club meets then? (Before the Marco Polo burning?)

Not going to be very many Marco Polos around for a good few months. All registrations have been put on hold apparently.

 

[GrannyJen]

Aw go on GJ, I was loving it. Poor Stephen hasn't seen enough of your posts to know when you're taking the pi$$. We know better.

Masturbatory raindance... is that another of the scheduled events at Club meets then? (Before the Marco Polo burning?)

Going through a strange phase at the moment.

The person that I mention is so much in my thoughts right now, but only because the woman I am so proud to call Mum, my Mum in law, is just about hanging in right now.

He would of loved finding ways to save a pound on ET or anywhere else. I've lost count of the number of times I've sat there and thought "another fine mess you've got us into" as yet another intricate plan unravelled, often expensively.

The raindance was one of many rituals practiced by the plains Indians to celebrate victory over an opponent, often resulting in trance-like practices that one can best describe as a display of high testosterone exultance

I was treated to demonstration once An interesting diversion from the more strait-laced activities I pursued in writing about the westward emigration of peoples across the United States

 

[stephen watson]

Apologies Stephen if you thought that. It was in no way directed at you, or anyone in particular, on this forum at least.

Quite the opposite, I think it was quite brave and honest of you to share it and I'm sure many are grateful for that information, including me.

If it was directed at anyone it was at someone sadly no longer with us in this world, someone who would whoop with joy and be almost chest-beating ecstatic if he could shave a few quid off a deal by being circuitous and someone to whom more than once I had to remind that the time, hassle and stress to achieve what he had achieved probably meant that he had just spent a pound to save a shilling

Stephen, again my apologies. It was meant to be slightly tongue in cheek, not to upset anyone, especially someone who had brought something so important to the forum.

Thanks Jen for those kind words - apology fully accepted and continue to look forward to reading your posts. I sometimes think I'm too thin skinned for this forum. Unfortunately I do plead guilty to trying to save a pound or two, but hopefully not to the extent of being ostracised. Anyway what was originally just meant as a piece of info has turned into quite a thread!

 

[GrannyJen]

Thanks Jen for those kind words - apology fully accepted and continue to look forward to reading your posts. I sometimes think I'm too thin skinned for this forum. Unfortunately I do plead guilty to trying to save a pound or two, but hopefully not to the extent of being ostracised. Anyway what was originally just meant as a piece of info has turned into quite a thread!

We can all be a bit thin-skinned at times. I can be the worst at getting things wrong. Forums are conversations without facial expressions. So easy to make a throw-away remark, or a tongue in cheek comment, that without facial expression ends up giving completely the wrong meaning.

As long as we all give respect to each other, whether we agree or not, then normally it all ends well

 

[David Marsh]

Flippineckerslike, and here's POOR me who after just sacking off Sh*ttany Ferries due to their new price structure for next years bookings, am looking for a good deal on ET two weeks today.
It'll be reet.

 

[Mike Frost]

Ahem!

DFDS - Acronym expanded - 'Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab' (literally, The United Steamship Company)

Of course its a bl**dy acronym; they always are - glad I don't have to sit in meetings any more and stop some smartie in his tracks (always a him) a ask him to 'expand the acronym' as I'm not conversant with the meaning...

Agree with you Granny Jen about the chest beating, etc. pay what's due and carry on!

'The extra to pay' when caught out' - a cautionary tale - we booked out on Eurotunnel in April, but didn't book a return trip, not knowing when w'd be coming back. Turned up at the Calais terminal of the tunnel in May, with no prior booking, and got stung Euros 319.00 because 'All discounted prices must be advance booked online, or you pay the full rate'. Ouch. A lesson learnt. Ok Ok Ok, if I'd read all the small print available I would have known this, but you know what? Life's just too short!

 

[larrylamb]

Flippineckerslike, and here's POOR me who after just sacking off Sh*ttany Ferries due to their new price structure for next years bookings, am looking for a good deal on ET two weeks today.
It'll be reet.

Fill us in, what's happening with Brittany Ferries next year??

 

[Dick Roberts]

I am aware that many members will think this serves me right and I hold up my hands and offer no excuses. However as some do the same as me thought it would be useful to post what might happen if your luck runs out.
I booked by phone my eurotunnel tickets and was asked if it was a camper van ( it says so on the V5). After a discussion about the van I was asked if it had windows all round. I replied yes and was allowed to book as a high car. I did this last year and so have made 3 trips without any problems.
However coming back yesterday, after going through check in and customs OK I was asked at the last pré boarding booth if I had gas on board. (I have been asked this before and as long as I said it was switched off it has been OK). I replied yes this time and the gentleman replied that it was a camper van and I couldn't travel on this ticket. Despite explaining the phonecall booking I was escorted back around to the booking office to change my ticket. The operator at the ticket office was very helpful and said personally he would have let me through but he would now have to issue a new ticket. I had always assumed if something like this happened I would just have to pay the extra. However he said as it was the cheapest ticket it was non refundable and I would need to buy a whole new ticket for a campervan and as it would be for immediate travel it would be very expensive.
He asked me if I had "an lpg tank" on board and I said no but a small camping gaz cylinder. He had access to my booking on the computer system and could see that it had been made on the phone. As I had travelled outwards on the same ticket and they had accepted the booking on the phone he eventually after quite a delay found a way of letting me travel on the original ticket. He also said to stop it happening again I should probably book either as campervan OR a van. So interestingly he seemed to agree it was sensible to call it a high car...
So if you get challenged it might end up expensive. Has anyone else been stopped and if so what was the outcome?

Eurotunnel could run the service properly if they wanted to.

 

[Esandar#1]

I use DFDS Dover to Dunkerque, relax in the first class lounge arrive refreshed and have never paid more than £45 for the crossing pls £6 on the door for the lounge, won't give ET my money for their rip-off policy.

I would have agreed with you but when returning from France on Monday (bank holiday) I was staggered to find that DFDS lowest rate was just shy of £400!!! If I waited until 00.30am on Tuesday it dropped to £105. ET's £173 was a bargain! I appreciate that by booking last minute we will always pay a higher price than booking weeks or months in advance... but that is just teh way we roll when it comes to our annual European summer expdition!

 

[2haw]

Came through ET this afternoon in our Beach on a high car ticket without any problems.

We did Flexiplus for the first time as it's a busy weekend and it was well and truly worth the extra cost, especially as there are 5 of us. We had complimentary sandwiches, fruit, cakes, drinks, ice creams and Starbucks! Kids loved it and would definitely recommend. Saved me about £50 in Burger King.

 

[Seaview]

We use Flexiplus too as we travel as 4. All the inclusive snacks and drinks are very nice. If we have a long drive after the ferry we’ve started ordering from the Flexiplus food menu. Very civilised when your order is taken restaurant style from your seat and a bill presented at the end of the meal.

However, not too sure about the availability of free wine. On a recent crossing from Cairnryan a couple sitting nearby had at least 3 glasses of wine each. I was intrigued about their driving arrangements at the time but assumed they must be foot passengers enjoying the benefits of Flexiplus to the most. On getting back to our Cali on I was amazed to see the pair of them get into their car in front of me and drive off.

 

[David Marsh]

Fill us in, what's happening with Brittany Ferries next year??

Nothing too serious, just a matter of Sh*ttany altering their terms and conditions when booking crossings. They have decided that a 25% deposit is now required and the balance to be paid eight weeks prior to departure. My thoughts have always been in our case that the Portsmouth to Bilbao crossings are the best, even better when P&O operated the route. But, we do four crossings each year and the costs are what they are, but taking a greater deposit goes against the grain for us as is the final balance due date. Being a member of their 'Club Voyage' has saved us a few quid here and there but enough is enough. This being so, we are going via the Tunnel this Sunday and will try and enjoy the pleasures of 80kmh of France. I think we might go the west route via Bordeaux, could be interesting as we've not driven in France for more years than I care to remember. As we're in no rush we will hopefully avoid all the toll roads. We're only on t' pension.

 

[s2bear]

It’s not often I listen to anyone’s opinion or change my mind (I always know best) but I think it’s right. Just pay up and minimise risk.

The resultant lecture from the current Miss Pod if a Hi Viz sent us to the back of the queue just wouldn’t be worth it.

I can just hear it now.....”you massive tw@t.....WTF did you do that for “.

I may as well risk it as I get told that anyway... at least 3x by breakfast


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[s2bear]

So, as if this thread hasn’t gone on for long enough.... I spoke with Eurotunnel this afternoon to book my Boxing Day snowboard trip.

High Car was rejected when booking online yet I have a Beach, which is classified on the V5C as Diesel Car; MPV.

So what is clear from this is that Eurotunnel’s system checks the DVLA database and stops at ‘California’.

No problem - I called ET to book over the phone - I’ve done 3 returns since Christmas and ALL as a high car;

first two online, no problem, 3rd I had to call to explain the Beach thing and they were fine as a High Car.

Today, after checking with a supervisor, the rep told me that I was welcome to book as a high car, however, if a Yellowjacket deems me to be a Campervan at the terminal, I will lose my fare and have to rebook a new crossing (just as the OP states).

The rep told me that ET define a camper as ANYTHING that has cooking OR sleeping facilities. ‘OR’, being emphasised greatly.
The difference is High Car £170 vs Camper at £215 or a 26% premium. I will be 5 seats, no gas/Slidepod/camping equipment of any kind.

As ET say, it’s not the DVLA classification but their definition which counts. Emailing them but this is flogging a dead, ambiguous horse, again....


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[Freeley]

So, as if this thread hasn’t gone on for long enough.... I spoke with Eurotunnel this afternoon to book my Boxing Day snowboard trip.

High Car was rejected when booking online yet I have a Beach, which is classified on the V5C as Diesel Car; MPV.

So what is clear from this is that Eurotunnel’s system checks the DVLA database and stops at ‘California’.

No problem - I called ET to book over the phone - I’ve done 3 returns since Christmas and ALL as a high car;

first two online, no problem, 3rd I had to call to explain the Beach thing and they were fine as a High Car.

Today, after checking with a supervisor, the rep told me that I was welcome to book as a high car, however, if a Yellowjacket deems me to be a Campervan at the terminal, I will lose my fare and have to rebook a new crossing (just as the OP states).

The rep told me that ET define a camper as ANYTHING that has cooking OR sleeping facilities. ‘OR’, being emphasised greatly.
The difference is High Car £170 vs Camper at £215 or a 26% premium. I will be 5 seats, no gas/Slidepod/camping equipment of any kind.

As ET say, it’s not the DVLA classification but their definition which counts. Emailing them but this is flogging a dead, ambiguous horse, again....


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So for a difference of £45 you're willing to risk losing the cost of your fare AND having to rebook and go to the back of the queue?
Utter madness

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[MattBW]

I was waved down in my beach by a rather grumpy looking Frenchman at Calais on our return, however as soon as he glanced in the back and saw no kitchen he seemed to relax and waved me through.


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[s2bear]

So for a difference of £45 you're willing to risk losing the cost of your fare AND having to rebook and go to the back of the queue?
Utter madness

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I hear you and NO, that’s exactly what I’m NOT prepared to do which is why I’m emailing them.


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[WelshGas]

Does a High Car travel in a single deck carriage?

 

[westfalia]

Does a High Car travel in a single deck carriage?

Yes.

 

[Freeley]

I hear you and NO, that’s exactly what I’m NOT prepared to do which is why I’m emailing them.


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Fair enough but from what I've read on this thread, the answer you get from ET seems to vary depending on who you speak/email to. I wouldn't feel very confident arriving there late at night with just a copy of an email as proof.

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