Great Western Coffee Shop

I was waiting for the train the other morning with the usual group of commuters when the conversation turned to where were people going with their complimentary tickets. I had no idea what they were talking about but turned out several people had got complimentary tickets in the post as a goodwill gesture for poor service on their season tickets.

A couple of years ago my partner who had the same ticket as me, bought at the same time, got tickets and I didn't. When I queried it with FGW (as was) I was told it was because I had opted out of receiving marketing material. Didn't really add up as they were sending me regular promo material. Attempts to persuade FGW otherwise got nowhere.

Is anyone aware if this is a regular thing from GWR? Am I just unlucky or were my fellow commuters an unrepresentative group? It didn't seem worth asking GWR what with the lead times on replies and that previous answers were obviously made up.

Did you sign up for marketing after the first occasion? If not, I doubt yourchances have much improved...

Not heard of anyone getting them in the Oxford area, so suspect quite a local offer.

I've always been signed up or at least I get all the emails and junk mail from FGW/GWR. That's what made me think its all a bit random especially as there doesn't seem to be a central database for season tickets. Maybe it is a local offer. Interesting to know if there is a 'process' behind it.

Oh well at least I got £25 on the premiums bonds this month :)

Nothing for Stroud or Didcot and apparently not being signed up to marketing also prevents GWR from contacting you about compensation arrangements. Convenient..!

I was talking to a friend who also has an annual ticket between WSM and BTM he mentioned that he gets complimentary tickets every time he renews, I haven't had any for over 5 years now - used to come in handy for a trip to London