VIA Rail 50% off reg. Adult Fare (plus kids travel free)

[myyg3]

50% discount off Regular Adult fare
(valid btw April 1 – Dec. 14, 2009 and btw Jan. 6 – March 31, 2010)

Plus: Kids travel free with the purchase of an adult fare
(limited time offer valid June 1 – Sept. 15, 2009)

Book online at viarail.ca use discount code 11472.
Complete details at viarail.ca/conditions/11472 (link not up yet – may be because offer not valid until April 1, 2009)

Added: Called Via (1-888-842-7245) today (Mar. 16) and was told discount is not yet programmed into their system but should be by tomorrow. Reminder - 50% valid from April 1st, Kids travel free valid from June 1st.

[torontoraptor]

Thanks, this will come in handy.

[Tainger]

hmm so only the regular fare and not the super saver fare? and what about student tickets :D

[torontoraptor]

hmm so only the regular fare and not the super saver fare? and what about student tickets :D

They're not going to give you discount on top of discount; they've never done that.

[93462]

Hi, i want to know how much will it be from montreal to new york. Three Adults and one child

[Xert]

Hi, i want to know how much will it be from montreal to new york. Three Adults and one child

Then go to their website and calculate it. We are not your monkey army.

[Crowbarfoot]

Then go to their website and calculate it. We are not your monkey army.

I wish I had a monkey army.

:|

[tofinoguy]

Then go to their website and calculate it. We are not your monkey army.

VIA doesn't operate Montreal to New York. That's Amtrak. Fares are based on many factors such as how much the train has already booked up.

[hagbard]

Where is the link?

BTW, I have my own monkey army, thanks.

http://www.muskurahat.us/images/funny_pictures/large/monkey-army.jpg

[ericdraven]

Thanks op!

[superdeals]

50% discount off Regular Adult fare
(valid btw April 1 – Dec. 14, 2009 and btw Jan. 6 – March 31, 2010)

Plus: Kids travel free with the purchase of an adult fare
(limited time offer valid June 1 – Sept. 15, 2009)

Book online at viarail.ca use discount code 11472.
Complete details at viarail.ca/conditions/11472 (link not up yet – may be because offer not valid until April 1, 2009)

So if I buy a regular adult ticket I can get another adult with me (50% discount) and two kids can come along free (one for each adult). It would HOT then.

[smarteepants]

great deal :) thank you!

[bangbangshot]

Thanks OP!

[crukkh]

Hi,

Does anyone know what type of promotion/coupon should I select from the drop-down menu? Nothing seems to work, I tried e-coupon, other special discounts, and it still shows me regular fares.

Thanks in advance!

[dealsssss]

I can't get it either. Maybe it doesn't work until April 1st?

[jory29]

Anyone know if the youth (12-17) would also be able to receive a free ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket? I notice they have child and youth prices, so I do wonder about that. I know for Alaska Airlines promotion kids fly free to Disneyland they allow kids to be only up to 11 years of age to fly free. (BOO!)

Thanks, OP, interesting and hot deal. :)

[myyg3]

Hi,

Does anyone know what type of promotion/coupon should I select from the drop-down menu? Nothing seems to work, I tried e-coupon, other special discounts, and it still shows me regular fares.

Thanks in advance!

Called Via (1-888-842-7245) and was told discount is not yet programmed into their system but should be by tomorrow.
Reminder - 50% valid from April 1st, Kids travel free valid from June 1st. (Edit: info added to original post.)

[LNahid2000]

Yeah, doesn't work for me either.

[jory29]

Rats, 11 and under only counts for free child ticket with purchase of the adult ticket, but I was told when I phoned in that I could buy the 2 adult tickets to and would receive the 1 free child ticket, then to maybe try to purchase the youth (12 and up) using the supersaver fare.

Would it be possible to buy an adult ticket for the 12 year old? (It would be half off then, might be worth it over a super saver price for a youth, I don't know.)

I don't know why companies don't allow a kid to be a kid if they are with the parents, and under 18.

Anyway, still a good posting, OP, thanks! :)

[michaelcfa]

Just so you all know this is a pretty warm deal.

It is NOT an electronic coupon - The PAPER coupon comes in a booklet included with SUNLIGHT LIQUID LAUNDRY DETERGENT.

Aside from the wide range of dates in the original posting which is nice, it has the following conditions:

1. Tickets are 100% NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-EXHCANGEABLE
2. Tickets MUST be booked THREE DAYS IN ADVANCE OF TRAVEL.
3. Seats WILL BE LIMITED
4. These tickets can not be picked up at the electronic ticket machines. They MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON from a Via Rail Ticket Agent, who you must give the paper coupon to. If you don't have the paper coupon to hand in when picking up your ticket, you will either forfeit what you paid OR be forced to pay the full fare (double what you paid online)

...So all in all, be careful when using this. Without the actual paper coupon to give in, you will be screwed and lose your money or be forced to pay double.

[LNahid2000]

This link seems to work now and has instructions on how to use the coupon. The coupon works as well!

www.viarail.ca/conditions/11472

It says this in the fine print though: "Since you must surrender your original coupon(s) to a VIA agent when your tickets are issued, your ticket must be issued by a VIA agent and not at a self-service ticketing kiosk."

[jory29]

Does anyone know how to redeem the free child ticket w/adult ticket? I've entered the promo code to reduce it to half off, for the 2 adults, but the child ticket seems to still be being charged full price. ?

Edited to add: OIC, must book in separate transactions...

To book on the Internet: Simply make separate transactions for each pair of paying passenger and free child ticket. Select tickets at the regular, discounted or supersaver fares. RESERVIA will quote the fare you've selected and, if your itinerary qualifies, will then price the child's ticket at $0.

[jerryhung]

A savings about $20-$30 for Toronto-Montreal so it seems

[fifthoctave]

He yguys, that doesn't make sense to just use it. You have to surrender an original coupon to the agent when you get the ticket.. but you don't need a serial number.. so something doesn't make sense. Maybe we'll get an email about it if we're on their mailing list.
And doesn't it apply to 1 ticket for adult fare? Do you have to get 2 adult fares? I'm confused.
Thanks guys!! Keep it coming! We need these as viarail is so overpriced!!!

ahhhh, I understand now.. just read Michaelcfa's explanation

[cayouche]

Bah gawd!!
I want to leave on March 27...

[LNahid2000]

Food Basics has Sunlight Laundry Detergent for $4. Can anyone verify if they have the coupons?

[jory29]

Just so you all know this is a pretty warm deal.

It is NOT an electronic coupon - The PAPER coupon comes in a booklet included with SUNLIGHT LIQUID LAUNDRY DETERGENT.

Aside from the wide range of dates in the original posting which is nice, it has the following conditions:

1. Tickets are 100% NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-EXHCANGEABLE
2. Tickets MUST be booked THREE DAYS IN ADVANCE OF TRAVEL.
3. Seats WILL BE LIMITED
4. These tickets can not be picked up at the electronic ticket machines. They MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON from a Via Rail Ticket Agent, who you must give the paper coupon to. If you don't have the paper coupon to hand in when picking up your ticket, you will either forfeit what you paid OR be forced to pay the full fare (double what you paid online)


Edited to add: The stipulations mean that it is a 3 day minimum that one can book a trip, right?
Also - since I have to make 2 separate bookings for my fam. to make sure we receive the 1 free child pass, will I need 2 coupons I wonder? Can someone scan a coupon so we can see the requirements? Thanks!
...So all in all, be careful when using this. Without the actual paper coupon to give in, you will be screwed and lose your money or be forced to pay double.

Welcome to RFD, and thanks for making your first post a heads up! I am planning on booking, and until I have said coupon in hand, will not be doing so! TOO risky unless you have the coupon. Hopefully people will start posting where to find the sunlight coupons!! Thanks! :)

EDITED to add; Here's the conditions here, as previously posted... http://www.viarail.ca/conditions/11472/

"One original coupon must be surrendered for each passenger travelling to a VIA ticket agent at the time of ticket issuance. No facsimiles accepted."

Sunlight original Coupons will be needed for everyone in your party!

[myyg3]

This link seems to work now and has instructions on how to use the coupon. The coupon works as well!

www.viarail.ca/conditions/11472

It says this in the fine print though: "Since you must surrender your original coupon(s) to a VIA agent when your tickets are issued, your ticket must be issued by a VIA agent and not at a self-service ticketing kiosk."

These same conditions were on other similar discounts I've used in the past. It's definitely true u can't use the self-serv ticket kiosk & must have the ticket issued by a VIA agent but I have never been asked to produce or surrender the original coupon - so decide for yourself if you want to take a chance.

For anyone who's looking for the actual coupon. It's a yellow booklet with the liquid Sunlight laundry detergent. The containers are cello-wrapped so you have to buy the product to get the coupons (and people can't just take the coupons off). Think the price was $6 or $7 but can't remember for sure. WM South Keys had a huge aisle display.

[michaelcfa]

These same conditions were on other similar discounts I've used in the past. It's definitely true u can't use the self-serv ticket kiosk & must have the ticket issued by a VIA agent but I have never been asked to produce or surrender the original coupon - so decide for yourself if you want to take a chance.

For anyone who's looking for the actual coupon. It's a yellow booklet with the liquid Sunlight laundry detergent. The containers are cello-wrapped so you have to buy the product to get the coupons (and people can't just take the coupons off). Think the price was $6 or $7 but can't remember for sure. WM South Keys had a huge aisle display.

It's still worth it to buy the Sunlight as a sort of "insurance policy".

I've also used similar promotions in the past where you have to give in the paper coupons (I remember a similar Maxwell House coffee promo from a few years ago) as well as some others, and it's hit-or-miss whether they ask for coupons, but I found they did ask more often than not, and they won't take excuses for why you don't have them. The difference with this one, is that the deal is completely non-refundable. In the past at least without the coupons when they did ask, there was the option to either pay the full fare (double -- which can add up to a lot, for example an extra ~$135 on a MTL-TOR roundtrip) or get a refund for what you paid (less $15). With this promo if you don't have the coupon if they ask, you're looking at paying double, or FORFEITING what you did pay... Not really worth the risk you can easily avoid by buying a cheap container of detergent for 5 or 6 bucks that you'll probably need to use at some point anyways :)

[tsttm]

Edited to add: OIC, must book in separate transactions...

To book on the Internet: Simply make separate transactions for each pair of paying passenger and free child ticket. Select tickets at the regular, discounted or supersaver fares. RESERVIA will quote the fare you've selected and, if your itinerary qualifies, will then price the child's ticket at $0.

Where did you get this info? The via website condition doesn't mention anything about a free child...but it seems true as some of you have called to ask.

But it's confusing, according to your quote above, it sounds like you need to have 2 adults & you get one child..but my understanding is you get %50 off a single adult ticket (after apr 1st) & 1 free child after june 1st. Is that correct?

Plus a lot of people are throwing around the term "kids" (including the title of this thread). Is it 1 child free or in fact "kids" (limit, no limit on # of kids per adult?).

Maybe someone can clarify these details. The scenario i'm looking at is 1 adult & 2 children. What qualifies for what here?

Thanks! ;)

[fifthoctave]

has anyone seen these bottles? haven't seen them anywhere!

[jory29]

Where did you get this info? The via website condition doesn't mention anything about a free child...but it seems true as some of you have called to ask.

But it's confusing, according to your quote above, it sounds like you need to have 2 adults & you get one child..but my understanding is you get %50 off a single adult ticket (after apr 1st) & 1 free child after june 1st. Is that correct?

Plus a lot of people are throwing around the term "kids" (including the title of this thread). Is it 1 child free or in fact "kids" (limit, no limit on # of kids per adult?).

Maybe someone can clarify these details. The scenario i'm looking at is 1 adult & 2 children. What qualifies for what here?

Thanks! ;)

You will need to make a Reservia account if you don't already have one; then, plan on making 2 bookings; 1 for the sunlight discounted adult rate and 1 free child rate, and then another booking for the extra adult, using the same process as mentioned here, to receive the sunlight discount coupon: (Keep in mind that you and your other adult traveler will require a sunlight coupon, the physical one off of the bottle.)
Taken from this website:
http://www.viarail.ca/conditions/11472/

How to book online at viarail.ca:

* Log in with your RESERVIA profile, or create one prior to booking.
* Choose Comfort – Discounted fare in the "Select class and fare plan" drop-down menu for your chosen departure. The discount will not apply to travel booked in any other class.
* On the "Passengers Information" screen, select Other Special Discount in the "Discount Type" field.
* Enter 11472 as the "Discount Code". No serial number is required.
* Your fare will be automatically adjusted if your trip meets the conditions of this promotion.
* Since you must surrender your original coupon(s) to a VIA agent when your tickets are issued, your ticket must be issued by a VIA agent and not at a self-service ticketing kiosk.

I found the info. I needed to look at booking the free child's fare on this website link...
http://www.viarail.ca/planner/en_promo_kids_free.html

So yes, one adult pays even at a special discounted rate such as the sunlight coupon to receive the 1 free child ticket but the transaction must be booked with only those 2 tickets showing; the adult and the child.
Anyone else in your party will then require another booking.

[Rekognize]

Thanks, posted in the coupons section (http://coupons.redflagdeals.com/i.php/all/VIA%20Rail)

[runamuck]

50% off before March 31-2009 using code
'RESERVIA' part of 'winter promo'

http://www.viarail.ca/longhauls/en_index.html

conditions:
http://www.viarail.ca/longhauls/condition.html


40% off for students till sept30-3009 travel:
http://www.viarail.ca/studentawards/en_index.html?fe=3281&fp=125181&fr=1656

[hibernator]

Where can I get the sunlight coupon?

[lartuen]

This seems to be separate from the sunlight promotion. Is that true? I can't seem to get the promo code to work. I've selected supersaver, as mentioned in the conditions. I've entered RESERVIA. The sunlight one worked, but if this one doesn't need the coupon, I'd rather use it.

I called via, but they're closed.

Any ideas?



50% off before March 31-2009 using code
'RESERVIA' part of 'winter promo'

http://www.viarail.ca/longhauls/en_index.html

conditions:
http://www.viarail.ca/longhauls/condition.html


40% off for students till sept30-3009 travel:
http://www.viarail.ca/studentawards/en_index.html?fe=3281&fp=125181&fr=1656

[torontoraptor]

This seems to be separate from the sunlight promotion. Is that true? I can't seem to get the promo code to work. I've selected supersaver, as mentioned in the conditions. I've entered RESERVIA. The sunlight one worked, but if this one doesn't need the coupon, I'd rather use it.

I called via, but they're closed.

Any ideas?

The RESERVIA promotion is only between select destinations.

[runamuck]

This seems to be separate from the sunlight promotion. Is that true? I can't seem to get the promo code to work. I've selected supersaver, as mentioned in the conditions. I've entered RESERVIA. The sunlight one worked, but if this one doesn't need the coupon, I'd rather use it.

I called via, but they're closed.

Any ideas?

yes different promo. I don't have much other details. there are some other conditions that must be met. I just found it on the via site myself.
do let us know if you manage to uncover details.

thx

[lartuen]

Yeah, it's selected destinations. The Eastern Canada one is for people starting in Montreal and going somewhere like Halifax

[ZeroJutsu]

Mm...

So you have to have a kid for this to work? Bollocks.

I wanted to have a half price ticket... ah well.

[Stetson717]

I tried booking from windsor to london on april 3 but it gave me less than 50% off. The price went from $84 to $51 which is only roughly 40% off.

[net_essential]

Where can I get the sunlight coupon?

I saw Sunlight detergent bottles last night in Walmart. It has the VIA rail coupon on it. The Sunlight is selling $7.

[lartuen]

I just got back from the Walmart in Dufferin Mall and they have a display at the end of the detergent isle with quite a few. I grabbed 2. They just under $7.. and there are a few of the larger containers for $14-something, too.

[lartuen]

If you're selecting Comfort-Discount and the fare is $84, I believe that fare is already discounted. I think even though you select that option, the 50% is taken from the full fare price. Just a guess... too tired to do the math to find out, heh.


I tried booking from windsor to london on april 3 but it gave me less than 50% off. The price went from $84 to $51 which is only roughly 40% off.

[aswitzer]

Book online at viarail.ca use discount code 11472.You need to have an original coupon. You can book online with the code, but if you don't have the coupon when the ticket is issued at the station, the discount is not honoured. If you want a coupon you have to buy Sunlight products. Go to http://www.sunlightlaundry.ca/en/default.aspx?page=coupons for more information

[alesto]

...

40% off for students till sept30-3009 travel:
http://www.viarail.ca/studentawards/en_index.html?fe=3281&fp=125181&fr=1656

Thank you! very useful

[alesto]

If you're selecting Comfort-Discount and the fare is $84, I believe that fare is already discounted. I think even though you select that option, the 50% is taken from the full fare price. Just a guess... too tired to do the math to find out, heh.

You are right. You have to select "regular fare" to get 50% disco

[alesto]

Where can I get the sunlight coupon?

Walmart. Just got one - $6.80 or so.

[alesto]

50% discount off Regular Adult fare
(valid btw April 1 – Dec. 14, 2009 and btw Jan. 6 – March 31, 2010)

Plus: Kids travel free with the purchase of an adult fare
(limited time offer valid June 1 – Sept. 15, 2009)

Book online at viarail.ca use discount code 11472.
Complete details at viarail.ca/conditions/11472 (link not up yet – may be because offer not valid until April 1, 2009)

Added: Called Via (1-888-842-7245) today (Mar. 16) and was told discount is not yet programmed into their system but should be by tomorrow. Reminder - 50% valid from April 1st, Kids travel free valid from June 1st.

Great deal. Ottawa-Toronto-Ottawa round trip - $126 with reserved seats for Easter weekend.
Thank you!

[nobbymcdobby]

Funny how Via is still a bad deal even at 50% off...

[gumby]

Great deal. Ottawa-Toronto-Ottawa round trip - $126 with reserved seats for Easter weekend.
Thank you!

That's odd. Ottawa-Toronto (Tremblay-Union Station) for us is $100/one-way or $200/round trip then 50% off that with the Comfort-Discounted fare. Why is yours $126? :confused:

[colllyj]

That's odd. Ottawa-Toronto (Tremblay-Union Station) for us is $100/one-way or $200/round trip then 50% off that with the Comfort-Discounted fare. Why is yours $126? :confused:

Hey. i just tried the Ottawa Round trip and got 126 including tax.
When entering your dates, choose COMFORT-REGULAR fare and then apply the discount upon check out...

this is what i got:
Fare Summary
Fare: $120.00 G.S.T./H.S.T.: $6.00 P.S.T.: $0.00 Total CAD$: $126.00
*over easter weekend too!

good luck

[gumby]

OK I got it - 50% off REGULAR FARE This is such a marketing scheme!

I tried to book from Ottawa to Toronto and the lowest fare was Comfort - Special fare for $69 + GST = $72.45. Using the Comfort - Regular Fare of $120 + GST = $126 and then applied the Sunlight coupon code for 50% off gave me $60 + GST = $63. So in reality I saved $9.55! If you follow the instructions from VIA web site to use Comfort - Discounted Fare then the savings would come out to 37% like others have posted. All Comfort class fares ended up with the same total :mad:

I was so excited when I first heard 50% off! Who normally buys the regular fare anyway unless you can't book it at least 3 days in advance with the condition in this offer? Oh well ... as in the RFD spirit, I saved 13% :(

[clifftomas]

I used the code for my online booking. At the station the ticket would not print out in the automatic ticket kiosk, so I had to go to the ticket counter.
The ticketing agent didn't ask me for the coupon, which I had but was only going to surrender if asked.
It's a great deal and valid until March 2010 Plus the booklet that comes with the soap has a $2.00-off coupon for Sunlight soap. If you use the train a lot use that coupon to buy your second booklet.
Happy travels.

[tiggrrrrr75]

My sister came from Toronto today, and they did actually ask for the coupon when she picked up her ticket (thankfully she had) ,so be aware!

[Poweredpark]

sorry if someone mentioned this but does this apply to only comfort class?
how about via 1?

[Paul7]

sorry if someone mentioned this but does this apply to only comfort class?
how about via 1?

Doesn't work with via 1. Had to book via 1 for one leg of the trip Toronto-Montreal since my date was sold on on regular. Got the discount on Comfort-Regular for my trip back.

[gleb_mat]

"Since you must surrender your original coupon(s) to a VIA agent when your tickets are issued, your ticket must be issued by a VIA agent and not at a self-service ticketing kiosk."

"One original coupon must be surrendered for each passenger travelling to a VIA ticket agent at the time of ticket issuance. No facsimiles accepted. "

What coupon?

Cheers

[will5404]

OK I got it - 50% off REGULAR FARE This is such a marketing scheme!

I tried to book from Ottawa to Toronto and the lowest fare was Comfort - Special fare for $69 + GST = $72.45. Using the Comfort - Regular Fare of $120 + GST = $126 and then applied the Sunlight coupon code for 50% off gave me $60 + GST = $63. So in reality I saved $9.55! If you follow the instructions from VIA web site to use Comfort - Discounted Fare then the savings would come out to 37% like others have posted. All Comfort class fares ended up with the same total :mad:

I was so excited when I first heard 50% off! Who normally buys the regular fare anyway unless you can't book it at least 3 days in advance with the condition in this offer? Oh well ... as in the RFD spirit, I saved 13% :(

The special fare is non-refundable / non exchangeable, whereas a regular fare is flexible. It could save you $$ if your travel plans happened to change...

[krs]

I'm a bit confused about the osts in this thread.

It sounds as if two adults need to book to get 50% off, but when I check the Via Rail conditions it doesn't say anything about that.

Is that 50% discount also good if only one adult travels?

[krs]

Thanks, posted in the coupons section (http://coupons.redflagdeals.com/i.php/all/VIA%20Rail)

What was posted in the coupons section is very misleading.

As I understand it, you need to book using the discount code AND you need to get an original coupon from the Sunlight detergent bottle or box (or either?).

People who just use the discount code may get a nasty surprise when they pick up their ticket and don't have the coupon.

BTW - has anyone in Quebec found the coupon? At which stores?

[gumby]

The special fare is non-refundable / non exchangeable, whereas a regular fare is flexible. It could save you $$ if your travel plans happened to change...

But as soon as you applied the coupon code its status would change to NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-EXCHANGEABLE like the other fares anyway :(

I'm a bit confused about the osts in this thread.

It sounds as if two adults need to book to get 50% off, but when I check the Via Rail conditions it doesn't say anything about that.

Is that 50% discount also good if only one adult travels?

Yes, the discount applies to single traveler or one-way ticket Comfort class.

[gumby]

What was posted in the coupons section is very misleading.

As I understand it, you need to book using the discount code AND you need to get an original coupon from the Sunlight detergent bottle or box (or either?).

People who just use the discount code may get a nasty surprise when they pick up their ticket and don't have the coupon.

BTW - has anyone in Quebec found the coupon? At which stores?

I have only seen the coupon with the Sunlight liquid bottles at Walmart - nowhere else that I could find in Ottawa so far. Loblaws, RCSS, Independent, Loeb do not carry the bottles with the shrinkwrapped coupon book. There are forms in the stores next to the detergent displays (that don't carry these specially marked bottles) where you could send in the receipt to Sunlight to get the coupon booklet by mail.

[encinc]

I've tried a couple of times, but it won't give me 50% off the regular fare - more like 20%. Regular RT fare is $50 plus taxes. With the coupon, it's $40 plus taxes. I'm happy to save the $10, but it isn't as much as I expected it to be. Have others had the same experience?

[krs]

I've tried a couple of times, but it won't give me 50% off the regular fare - more like 20%. Regular RT fare is $50 plus taxes. With the coupon, it's $40 plus taxes. I'm happy to save the $10, but it isn't as much as I expected it to be. Have others had the same experience?

Did you follow the instruction from Via to a "T"?

I just booked a return fare that comes to $248 using mostly the supersaver fare and the special rate between Montreal and Toronto.
When I enter the discount code for the coupon, I get $198, ie 20% less than supersavers.
I haven't really compared it to full fare but it seems to me that would be 50% off full fare.

[jory29]

I don't know if this has already been commented on, but in the West, (Alberta) I found some of the Sunlight bottles with labels at Canada Safeway.

[encinc]

Did you follow the instruction from Via to a "T"?

I just booked a return fare that comes to $248 using mostly the supersaver fare and the special rate between Montreal and Toronto.
When I enter the discount code for the coupon, I get $198, ie 20% less than supersavers.
I haven't really compared it to full fare but it seems to me that would be 50% off full fare.

I don't get it. I did follow the instructions exactly. The price I'm getting with the coupon is exactly the same as the supersaver fare.

[krs]

I just ran through the Via booking - Montreal to Niagara and back using regular fare and I don't get the full discount either.

Regular fare is
$332.00 G.S.T./H.S.T.: $16.60 P.S.T.: $26.15 Total CAD$: $374.75

With the discount coupon, I got

$176.00 G.S.T./H.S.T.: $8.80 P.S.T.: $13.86 Total CAD$: $198.66

Strange - Fare is not half price but the GST is and PST is not.
Seems to me something is wrong with the way Via calculates.

Has anyone called Via about that yet?

[encinc]

Strange - Fare is not half price but the GST is and PST is not.
Seems to me something is wrong with the way Via calculates.

Has anyone called Via about that yet?

That is really strange. I didn't notice any irregularities with the taxes, but I don't understand how they can advertise 50% off the regular fare then not give it. Something is fishy with the their fare calculator.

Has anyone else checked whether the price they've obtained with the coupon is actually 50% off the regular fare?

[michaelcfa]

Guys the MINIMUM FARE on Via Rail is $20 per direction on any route. This is a VIA policy. This means that even with coupons, discounts, etc, a VIA ticket will NEVER cost less than $40+taxes roundtrip, or $20+taxes one way.

So using the sunlight coupon, if the "Adult Regular Fare" is for example $30 one-way or $60 RT, the coupon will only lower it to $20 1way or $40 RT.

As for taxes - In Canada, GST is paid on rail travel everywhere, however only when travel originates (1way or RT) in Quebec and Maritimes you must pay full HST / GST+QST in Quebec (and next year in Ontario too...thanks mcguinty!).... So for example... Toronto-MTL-Toronto is 125.50 Roundtrip + 5% GST, however MTL-Toronto-MTL is 125.50 + 14.5% Tax. So you can save a bit by booking two one-ways....

[encinc]

Guys the MINIMUM FARE on Via Rail is $20 per direction on any route. This is a VIA policy. This means that even with coupons, discounts, etc, a VIA ticket will NEVER cost less than $40+taxes roundtrip, or $20+taxes one way.

Thank you so much! Now I understand.

[krs]

Guys the MINIMUM FARE on Via Rail is $20 per direction on any route. This is a VIA policy. This means that even with coupons, discounts, etc, a VIA ticket will NEVER cost less than $40+taxes roundtrip, or $20+taxes one way.

So using the sunlight coupon, if the "Adult Regular Fare" is for example $30 one-way or $60 RT, the coupon will only lower it to $20 1way or $40 RT.


How does that explain that the full $332 adult fare isn't cut in half with the coupon?
For some reason it's exactly $10.- more than it should be.

As for taxes - In Canada, GST is paid on rail travel everywhere, however only when travel originates (1way or RT) in Quebec and Maritimes you must pay full HST / GST+QST in Quebec (and next year in Ontario too...thanks mcguinty!).... So for example... Toronto-MTL-Toronto is 125.50 Roundtrip + 5% GST, however MTL-Toronto-MTL is 125.50 + 14.5% Tax. So you can save a bit by booking two one-ways....

I never realized there was no Ontario PST on train travel.

[krs]

I have only seen the coupon with the Sunlight liquid bottles at Walmart - nowhere else that I could find in Ottawa so far. Loblaws, RCSS, Independent, Loeb do not carry the bottles with the shrinkwrapped coupon book. There are forms in the stores next to the detergent displays (that don't carry these specially marked bottles) where you could send in the receipt to Sunlight to get the coupon booklet by mail.

I just picked up the coupon book at Zellers in Belleville. Price for the detergent was $7.99
Good deal for me - I saved $50.- on the Via trip I needed to take this weekend.

[Driftwood]

http://www.viarail.ca/earth-day/en_index.html

"This e-coupon is valid for a 50% discount on the adult regular fare when you purchase a Comfort class (economy) ticket for travel anywhere on the VIA Rail network. Travel must be completed between April 20 and June 30, 2009 (inclusive)."

No Sunlight coupon needed.

[SC5]

This doesn't end up costing less than if I used a student 6-pack, does it?

I got 2 booklets, but I think that getting an ISIC card and a 6-pack would still be cheaper than if I bought (and returned :twisted:) 6 bottles of Sunlight and used the 50% coupon. Any comments?

[krs]

This doesn't end up costing less than if I used a student 6-pack, does it?

I got 2 booklets, but I think that getting an ISIC card and a 6-pack would still be cheaper than if I bought (and returned :twisted:) 6 bottles of Sunlight and used the 50% coupon. Any comments?

You need to do the math and look at the terms.
The tickets using the Sunlight coupon are not refundable.

And as I understand it, you can get the coupon booklets from Sunlight if you wite to them - no need to buy the detergent unless you need the coupon right now.

[krs]

http://www.viarail.ca/earth-day/en_index.html

"This e-coupon is valid for a 50% discount on the adult regular fare when you purchase a Comfort class (economy) ticket for travel anywhere on the VIA Rail network. Travel must be completed between April 20 and June 30, 2009 (inclusive)."

No Sunlight coupon needed.

Better deal than the Sunlight coupons.

For one, you get the true 50% discount - I saved another $10.- on my trip, and the tickets are refundable for a $20.- fee each way and of course no coupon.

Downside is that you need to get the discount code real soon and travel must be completed by June 30th.

The Sunlight deal is on pretty much all of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010.

[miamea]

I just ran through the Via booking - Montreal to Niagara and back using regular fare and I don't get the full discount either.

Regular fare is
$332.00 G.S.T./H.S.T.: $16.60 P.S.T.: $26.15 Total CAD$: $374.75

With the discount coupon, I got

$176.00 G.S.T./H.S.T.: $8.80 P.S.T.: $13.86 Total CAD$: $198.66

Strange - Fare is not half price but the GST is and PST is not.
Seems to me something is wrong with the way Via calculates.

Has anyone called Via about that yet?

I was having trouble with this too using the Earth Day promo. I called them and was told the discount applies toward the HIGH season ticket price, even if you're travelling before June. According to the rep, it took some time for her to figure this out as it is a new promo.

But I wish they stated this clearly on the list of conditions. Rather misleading advertising because the savings are more like 30%. :(

[krs]

I was having trouble with this too using the Earth Day promo. I called them and was told the discount applies toward the HIGH season ticket price, even if you're travelling before June. According to the rep, it took some time for her to figure this out as it is a new promo.

But I wish they stated this clearly on the list of conditions. Rather misleading advertising because the savings are more like 30%. :(

I had no problems with the Earth Day promo.
It gave me the full 50% off the regular fare.

I never heard of Via HIGH season ticket prices and I have been travelling Via for years. There is no such thing even at Christmas - all they have are blocked out days.

Did your final pricing show Earth Day Promo in the description field?

[IntrepidRT]

Checked a ticket for Kitchener to London........$21. Applied the 50% discount code..........came to $20.

Not impressed, that's 5%

[miamea]

I had no problems with the Earth Day promo.
It gave me the full 50% off the regular fare.

I never heard of Via HIGH season ticket prices and I have been travelling Via for years. There is no such thing even at Christmas - all they have are blocked out days.

Did your final pricing show Earth Day Promo in the description field?

Yep, it does say Earth Day 50% coupon. Attempts to book round trip from Vancouver to Toronto for travel in May yielded the following:

Before discount:
Fare: $1148.00 + GST: $57.40 = 1205.40

After discount:
Fare: $765.00 + GST: $38.25 = $803.25

I didn't see anything about high season on their site, but playing around with the dates, I noticed that the first half of June prices are higher, and goes up again after middle of June. If it was truly 50% off, it should be $574 before tax. I was told the $765 is in fact half of $1530, which is the regular price for travel in late June (I assume this is when "high season" is in effect).

[krs]

Checked a ticket for Kitchener to London........$21. Applied the 50% discount code..........came to $20.

Not impressed, that's 5%

That's where the Via Rail minimum fare ($20.- each way) kicks in that was explaind earlier in this thread.

[krs]

Yep, it does say Earth Day 50% coupon. Attempts to book round trip from Vancouver to Toronto for travel in May yielded the following:

Before discount:
Fare: $1148.00 + GST: $57.40 = 1205.40

After discount:
Fare: $765.00 + GST: $38.25 = $803.25

I didn't see anything about high season on their site, but playing around with the dates, I noticed that the first half of June prices are higher, and goes up again after middle of June. If it was truly 50% off, it should be $574 before tax. I was told the $765 is in fact half of $1530, which is the regular price for travel in late June (I assume this is when "high season" is in effect).

I just tried Vancouver to Toronto, one way on 22 May.

Super Saver was $421.-
Regular was $574.-
Earth Day coupon was $382.50

All plus taxes.

Earth Day should have been 50% of $574.- or $287.-

Maybe an email to Via would be better than to take some agents explanation over the phone.

This is definitely not right! Via can't just base the 50% discount on the fare on a different date.


PS: I just fired off an email to Via - let's see what they have to say.
I assume I will only get an answer tomorrow.

[krs]

Well, Via rail was very quick with a reply.

Essentially the same answer as above - the 50% discount is off a fare that Via calls their regular fare.
I think that's clearly illegal and I sent an email off to the Competition Bureau this morning.

The Via Rail reply:

Good morning,

Thank you for your email. Based on the prices that you have seen on our website, I can understand your concerns and I thank you for giving us the chance to explain. The Earth Day e-coupon provides a 50% reduction off the full Comfort Class fare. For a Vancouver to Toronto trip, the full Comfort Class fare is $765.00 (plus tax). As your proposed trip is for May 22nd, this falls within our low season and the fare of $574.00 (plus tax) is an off-peak fare for the same trip. The Earth Day coupon cannot be combined with the off-peak fare as conditions indicate that the 50% reduction applies to the full Comfort Class fare, which is $765.00 (plus tax). After applying the e-coupon, this results in a discounted fare of $382.50 (plus tax).

The Earth day e-coupon provides a significant savings and we hope to have the chance to welcome you on board next month.

Sincerely,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Advisor, Customer Relations

[MS MSP]

I booked Mtl-Tor return yesterday with the earth day coupon and it came out to $155.77 with taxes.

That's for Comfort class.

[krs]

I booked Mtl-Tor return yesterday with the earth day coupon and it came out to $155.77 with taxes.

That's for Comfort class.

So was that half of regular fare?

I booked Montreal to Niagara this weekend and that came to exactly half of regular fare - this Vancouver - Toronto is an odd one.

[SPACEMANRICK]

Just booked for 2 adults and 2 kids (kids travel for free with a paying adult) in July from Toronto to Quebec City on July 16 (with a stop in Montreal) and from Quebec City to Montreal on July 20 for $329.70 for the 4 of us ;)

[canabiz]

Just booked for 2 adults and 2 kids (kids travel for free with a paying adult) in July from Toronto to Quebec City on July 16 (with a stop in Montreal) and from Quebec City to Montreal on July 20 for $329.70 for the 4 of us ;)

Great deal Rick but I wonder if it'd be better just to drive. You can get a SUV/van for the weekend for much less than that. I know it's a fair bit of a drive from Toronto to Quebec City (about 8 hours, give or take) but if you do plan to stop by Montreal, i imagine you guys will need something to get around...ditto Quebec City.

I have never taken the rails in Canada and would love to do so one day so maybe this is not that bad at all.

[SPACEMANRICK]

Great deal Rick but I wonder if it'd be better just to drive. You can get a SUV/van for the weekend for much less than that. I know it's a fair bit of a drive from Toronto to Quebec City (about 8 hours, give or take) but if you do plan to stop by Montreal, i imagine you guys will need something to get around...ditto Quebec City.

I have never taken the rails in Canada and would love to do so one day so maybe this is not that bad at all.

Actually we plan to see Montreal and Quebec city both totally by foot and by transit. We are staying at the Delta Hotel's in each of the 2 cities that are both in the downtown core. I have never been there, but some other posters on another forum have indicated that both these cities have good transit systems and driving can be a pain, particularly in Montreal.......

This is the first time also for us on the train and we have reserved double seats across from each other with a table between the seats!

[krs]

Great deal Rick but I wonder if it'd be better just to drive. You can get a SUV/van for the weekend for much less than that. I know it's a fair bit of a drive from Toronto to Quebec City (about 8 hours, give or take) but if you do plan to stop by Montreal, i imagine you guys will need something to get around...ditto Quebec City.

I have never taken the rails in Canada and would love to do so one day so maybe this is not that bad at all.

I don't know where you get the idea that renting a van is cheaper.
I just checked via Expedia for the dates and the Toronto - Quebec City - Montreal trip and got quotes over $1000.- just for the rental - on top of that you have to buy your own gas.
The total distance is more than 1000 kms, I wouldn't want to drive that especially with two kids in the car.
The train is much more relaxing, a lot cheaper and faster to boot.
In Montreal the station is right downtown with the Bonaventure Metro station attached, the Delta Hotel is just a short 20 minute walk - most of it you can walk through underground shopping malls if it happens to be raining.
Parking in downtown Montreal is a nightmare and expensive as well.
I think taking the train is by far the best option.

Oh...there are two Delta Hotels in downtown Montreal, not that far from each other. Make sure you know which one your reservation is at.

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1593/expedia.jpg

[canabiz]

krs, I am not arguing with you about the merits of taking the train but just as an FYI, Expedia is not the only place to rent vans/SUVs

If you really want to have a deal, check out Priceline or the various car rental companies' promotions. You will be surprised to find out how much you can get a SUV/van for the weekend, I will bet you with my last dollar that it will be less than $300 for the weekend.

Again, I agree this is a great deal for the rails, i was just wondering if Rick with his family need to get around a lot during his trip and if that's the case, a car may come in handy. Don't forget, this deal is only hot because of the discount, if he were to buy the tickets at the regular price, that's another issue altogether.

[SwiZz]

Hmm, i can't even find a place to enter the code, could someone help out? Maybe I'm just not looking closely enough. Thanks.

EDIT: Never mind, I found some instructions on viarail.ca, I will try it out.

[krs]

krs, I am not arguing with you about the merits of taking the train but just as an FYI, Expedia is not the only place to rent vans/SUVs


I realize there are lots of other ways to rent a van, but there is no way it will be cheaper than the $330.- train fare.
For one, the rental is for four days, not just the weekend which is only from Friday night to Sunday night or early Monday morning - there are two additional days right there.
Plus the van will be picked up in Toronto and dropped in Montreal - so there is probably a drop off charge unless you can wangle out of that somehow.
And with a distance of about 1100 kms, it will cost around $100.- in gas at current rates in Ontario and Quebec.
On top of that you will end up with a parking cost of at least $20.- per day in downtown Montreal, Quebec City is probably a bit cheaper.

I honestly see no way where one can get away with less than $330.- as car expenses for a trip like that.

[aswitzer]

This deal requires one original coupon for each person traveling. VIA will not grant the discount just because someone mentions the discount code. The conditions for this promotion (which is a coupon offered by Sunlight products) are clearly posted on VIA's site at http://www.viarail.ca/conditions/11472/

[aswitzer]

I tried booking from windsor to london on april 3 but it gave me less than 50% off. The price went from $84 to $51 which is only roughly 40% off.Read the conditions! It's 50% off the adult regular fare. If you get a fare quote on an existing discount, it doesn't apply to that -- the 50% off applies on the undiscounted regular adult fare only.

[krs]

This deal requires one original coupon for each person traveling. VIA will not grant the discount just because someone mentions the discount code. The conditions for this promotion (which is a coupon offered by Sunlight products) are clearly posted on VIA's site at http://www.viarail.ca/conditions/11472/

Yes, for the original deal posted you MUST book on line and you MUST have the physical Sunlight coupon when you picj up your tickets.
I tried getting the discount at the Via wicket with the coupon - no deal.
I found the coupon at Zellers, others found it at Walmart.

But mixed into this thread was another 50% off deal with Via using an "Earth Day" discount code. For that one you just need the discount code, no coupon.
However, the window to get that discount code via email has already expired, but people who have one can book until end of June 2009 (I think) whereas the Sunlight promotion is good into next year (with a black out over Christmas, if you have the physical coupon

[aswitzer]

Worked perfectly for me -- $166 plus taxes. You may have chosen the wrong booking class. Are you certain that the outbound portion was at least 3 days into the future (not counting today?)

I just ran through the Via booking - Montreal to Niagara and back using regular fare and I don't get the full discount either.

Regular fare is
$332.00 G.S.T./H.S.T.: $16.60 P.S.T.: $26.15 Total CAD$: $374.75

With the discount coupon, I got

$176.00 G.S.T./H.S.T.: $8.80 P.S.T.: $13.86 Total CAD$: $198.66

Strange - Fare is not half price but the GST is and PST is not.
Seems to me something is wrong with the way Via calculates.

Has anyone called Via about that yet?

[krs]

I didn't pursue the pricing on that Montreal - Niagara trip any further because I ended up using the Earth Day code which did give me exactly 50% off.
But I tried to make the booking six days before the trip, so that should have worked and I also followed the instructions to a "t".

There was another issue like that for a Vancouver to Toronto trip someone else posted. Again, the discount with the Sunlight coupon was not 50%.

I emailed Via about that and the reply came back that this discount is 50% of a "high season" fare even though that trip wasn't taking place during high season and full fare wouldn't have been the high season fare either.
I don't see how Via can claim they give you a 50% discount off a non-existing fare.
I emailed the Competition Bureau about that but haven't received a reply yet. I need to follow up. maybe someone else can make a stink as well.
That discounting is definitely not allowed by Canadian legislation.
It's like selling a sofa that has a regular price of $100 at $75 and claiming it's a 50% discount. And when the customer questions the math, the reply is, oh, the price of this sofa will go up to $150 in July - it's 50% off the July price.

[kiiaal]

Zellers has the Sunlight bottles on sale for $5.97 (another 10% off with SPC)

It's on the last page of the current week's flyer which expires TODAY.

I've seen many bottles with the coupon book shrink wrapped around it in a few Zellers locations in southern Ontario.

[Scary]

Didn't see this one posted elsewhere, but if you're paying with a Visa, you can get 10% off the best available fare (except Special fares), rather than the regular fare all the other coupons require. You might be able to get a better deal this way.
http://www.viarail.ca/visaoffer/en_index.html

[lostradamus]

I don't have the physical coupon and I probably won't have time to find one before my trip on Friday. The only reason I decided to take VIA was because of this coupon, now I'm going to have to pay thru the nose for my ticket :evil:

I will never use an online coupon code again without reading the fine print :o

[krs]

The Sunlight coupons are available at both Walmart and Zellers.
Depending on the regular fare for your trip - might be well worth your while to pick up the coupon.

The Earth day coupons were the best deal recently - no physical coupon to get and you get 50% off the regular fare.

Visa perks used to have that as well - 50% off if you paid by Visa.

[lostradamus]

I don't have the physical coupon and I probably won't have time to find one before my trip on Friday. The only reason I decided to take VIA was because of this coupon, now I'm going to have to pay thru the nose for my ticket :evil:

I will never use an online coupon code again without reading the fine print :o

Absolutely ridiculous. I called Viarail to see how much additional I would have to pay for not having the physical coupon. My ticket is Non-refundable and non-exchangable so there is nothing I can do but buy a new ticket at full price. Does anyone know where I can get a coupon today or have 2 extras they would sell me??

Edit: I'll pay $30 for 2 coupons if I can pickup tonight in downtown Toronto!
Edit 2: Nevermind I found some Sunlight bottles with coupons at Metro.

[krs]

Well worth the effort to find the coupons I bet.

I saved over $60.- on my last trip and that was comparing the best rate without the coupon to the rate with coupons.
I didn't book until I had the coupon in my hands.
And the Sunlight detergent is the HE type which I use anyway, so the coupon for me is really free.

[Hollasa]

I'm all confused now.

I read this thread back before the need for the physical Sunlight coupon was mentioned, and thought I'd check back as we're thinking of taking a trip this summer. There would be 2 adults and two children (ages 5 and 8) traveling.

Would we need 2 Sunlight coupons for each adult, 1 coupon, or 4 coupons for everyone?

Also, the conditions on the Via website state this:
The offer cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount and is not valid for tickets issued using a pass product including, but not limited to, Canrailpass, Corridorpass, BizPak, 6 Pak, Discount e-pass, or railway employee passes.
No additional discounts for seniors, youth, students or children apply.
http://www.viarail.ca/conditions/11472/


Does this mean that we'd have to pay for the kids? Or would they come free with the adult fares?
http://www.viarail.ca/planner/en_promo_kids_free.html

[krs]

I'm all confused now.

I read this thread back before the need for the physical Sunlight coupon was mentioned, and thought I'd check back as we're thinking of taking a trip this summer. There would be 2 adults and two children (ages 5 and 8) traveling.

Would we need 2 Sunlight coupons for each adult, 1 coupon, or 4 coupons for everyone?

Also, the conditions on the Via website state this:

http://www.viarail.ca/conditions/11472/


Does this mean that we'd have to pay for the kids? Or would they come free with the adult fares?
http://www.viarail.ca/planner/en_promo_kids_free.html

Well, it's not really clear to me either how this would work out.

You definitely need at least two Sunlight coupons; maybe even four.

What I would do is book the tickets on line which you need to do for the Sunlight discount anyway and you can do it for the "Kids travel free" promotion.
If the final fare gives you the 50% discount and also the free fare for the kids, then go and book and pick up the tickets before the 24 hour cancellation grace period is over, so if you get a hassle when picking up the tickets you can still cancel with no penalty.
If they want four Sunlight coupons, I would argue that the kids are not traveling using the Sunlight promotion, so why should you need a Sunlight coupon for them.

You could of course also call Via and ask the questions, but with all their current promotions, I'm not sure you will actually get the correct answer.

Once you have the physical tickets in your hot little hands - nobody will argue about the fare you paid (or didn't pay).

[aswitzer]

The answer is, that for each adult traveling, a separate coupon is required. If the children are 2-11 inclusive, then yes, they travel free with each adult regardless of the fare plan that the adult is on, including the Sunlight coupon.

[NDN09]

http://www2.viarail.ca/expressdeals/

Can someone please tell me how to book the express deals? I have tried to book a trip from Ottawa to Toronto but I'm not able to get the listed price.

[krs]

http://www2.viarail.ca/expressdeals/

Can someone please tell me how to book the express deals? I have tried to book a trip from Ottawa to Toronto but I'm not able to get the listed price.

Worked for me.

That discount only applies to a certain train and certain dates.

If you select the right train and dates, book regular comfort fare and apply the discount code at the end, you should get the right fare.

[tsttm]

I saw sunlight bottles with coupons at zellers for $4.99 today.

[shepd]

Was thinking about this for a trip to Montreal, but realized that Via is *so* overpriced that even after the discount, it's cheaper for me to take Amtrak from TO to NYC to Montreal then it is to take Via direct from TO to Montreal. For someone taking the train to enjoy the train ride, it might be worth it.

But, I mean, seriously... what gives? Via pricing makes absolutely no sense. Even roundtrip airfare including taxes worked out cheaper.

Anyone have any other ideas? Don't say the bus, greyhound costs more than an airplane to.

I suppose I'll just drive there, in the end.

[tsttm]

Was thinking about this for a trip to Montreal, but realized that Via is *so* overpriced that even after the discount, it's cheaper for me to take Amtrak from TO to NYC to Montreal then it is to take Via direct from TO to Montreal. For someone taking the train to enjoy the train ride, it might be worth it.

But, I mean, seriously... what gives? Via pricing makes absolutely no sense. Even roundtrip airfare including taxes worked out cheaper.

Anyone have any other ideas? Don't say the bus, greyhound costs more than an airplane to.

I suppose I'll just drive there, in the end.

While i agree, i think the train could be cheaper. I find this hard to believe- what prices are you getting for TO-NY-Mtl return for amtrak? I'm really curious..

Also, where are you finding the return airfare TO-Mtl with taxes cheaper than the train with discount? (Don't forget taxi/shuttle from the airport if you're going to the city as the train & bus end up downtown)

And where are you finding the bus costing more than the train & plane?? usually bus is cheapest but much longer.

Driving might be cheaper (especially if you're not 1 person) and may or may not be more convenient once you get there. But it's the only method that doesn't let you sit back, read, relax.

What kind of car do you drive? Curious to know what your gas costs will be.

[flybry]

Are the express deals updated regularly or is this just a one off deal? I need to take the train Aug.5 from Quebec City to Montreal. The $20 deal is only until June 23. If I use the Sunlight 50% coupon I only save $10

[tsttm]

Worked for me.

That discount only applies to a certain train and certain dates.

If you select the right train and dates, book regular comfort fare and apply the discount code at the end, you should get the right fare.

which 'discount type' are you selecting? & there's a 'discount code' & 'serial number'..what are you putting for each & where are you putting code "Express"?

[shmoo2]

Where is the link?

BTW, I have my own monkey army, thanks.

http://www.muskurahat.us/images/funny_pictures/large/monkey-army.jpg

hey i know him!

[Tainger]

so wait you can only use this coupon code on certain days, times, and trains?

[Kaitlyn]

I've never travelled on VIA rail before... is this a really good discount or can you get similar/cheaper (as in should I wait)?

Additionally, how does the train compare to bus? Is it much better?

[krs]

which 'discount type' are you selecting? & there's a 'discount code' & 'serial number'..what are you putting for each & where are you putting code "Express"?

Just follow the instructions posted by Via:

Booking instructions for VIA Rail Express deals

This special offer does not apply to bookings made by telephone, in person at a VIA station, through a travel agent, or through a tour operator.

* Consult the list of this week’s Express Deals.
* Log into our booking engine, with your profile or create one if you don't have any.
* Choose your preferred origin and destination, number of passengers and a travel date.
* Click on "Search".
* On the "Results" page, select the train and booking class for which your Express Deal applies.
* On the Passengers Information screen, select "Other Special Discounts" as the "Discount Type" and enter EXPRESS as the "Discount Code". No serial number is required.
* Proceed with the online reservation.

If your purchase meets the conditions, the discounted fare will automatically be applied. Tickets will be considered purchased at the time of the online transaction.

[krs]

Was thinking about this for a trip to Montreal, but realized that Via is *so* overpriced that even after the discount, it's cheaper for me to take Amtrak from TO to NYC to Montreal then it is to take Via direct from TO to Montreal. For someone taking the train to enjoy the train ride, it might be worth it.

But, I mean, seriously... what gives? Via pricing makes absolutely no sense. Even roundtrip airfare including taxes worked out cheaper.

Anyone have any other ideas? Don't say the bus, greyhound costs more than an airplane to.

I suppose I'll just drive there, in the end.

I have no clue what prices you are getting - maybe you should be more specific.
The fare with Via from Toronto to Montreal is $69.-, the only thing cheaper is the bus (but I wouldn't wish that on anyone).

[krs]

Are the express deals updated regularly or is this just a one off deal? I need to take the train Aug.5 from Quebec City to Montreal. The $20 deal is only until June 23. If I use the Sunlight 50% coupon I only save $10

From what I have seen so far, the Express deals are posted once a week for travel during the week coming on very specific trains only.
So you can't book ahead.
I assume Via checks which trains have the fewest reservations and offers the Express deals on those particular trains for the one week period.
The week after the specific trains with Express deals may be different.

[krs]

so wait you can only use this coupon code on certain days, times, and trains?

The sunlight coupon is good any day except for some black out days around Christmas I think.

The Express deals are good on specific trains only and only for the coming week.
But for Express deals you don't need a coupon - if you use the Sunlight coupon you have to have the physical coupon when you pick up your tickets.

[Kaitlyn]

Where can we get the coupons? I haven't noticed them anywhere...

[krs]

I've never travelled on VIA rail before... is this a really good discount or can you get similar/cheaper (as in should I wait)?

Additionally, how does the train compare to bus? Is it much better?

Which discount are you referring to?

Just check the regular adult economy fare - any discount of 50% or better is great.
The Express deal may be a bit better if you are flexible as to the specific train (ie time of day) and you need to wait until a few days before your travel date before you can check.

Bus is always cheaper than the train (I think) but to get a discount rate you need to book early.
I wouldn't take the bus if the trip is longer than about 1 1/2 hours or so, but that is up to you. Train is much more comfortable and usually also a lot faster.

[krs]

Where can we get the coupons? I haven't noticed them anywhere...

You can check earlier posts in this thread.
I found them at both Zellers and Walmart.
It's a coupon booklet attached to Sunlight detergent - the coupon booklet is not just for a discount with Via Rail but includes other discount coupons as well.

[flybry]

Thanks krs, I'll be keeping an eye on those deals. And my fingers crossed:razz:
$20 would be a sweet deal



From what I have seen so far, the Express deals are posted once a week for travel during the week coming on very specific trains only.
So you can't book ahead.
I assume Via checks which trains have the fewest reservations and offers the Express deals on those particular trains for the one week period.
The week after the specific trains with Express deals may be different.

[Tainger]

Just follow the instructions posted by Via:

Booking instructions for VIA Rail Express deals

This special offer does not apply to bookings made by telephone, in person at a VIA station, through a travel agent, or through a tour operator.

* Consult the list of this week’s Express Deals.
* Log into our booking engine, with your profile or create one if you don't have any.
* Choose your preferred origin and destination, number of passengers and a travel date.
* Click on "Search".
* On the "Results" page, select the train and booking class for which your Express Deal applies.
* On the Passengers Information screen, select "Other Special Discounts" as the "Discount Type" and enter EXPRESS as the "Discount Code". No serial number is required.
* Proceed with the online reservation.

If your purchase meets the conditions, the discounted fare will automatically be applied. Tickets will be considered purchased at the time of the online transaction.

hmm getting an error message

You have provided an invalid discount for at least one of the passenger, please provide valid special discount.

[krs]

hmm getting an error message

You have provided an invalid discount for at least one of the passenger, please provide valid special discount.

Which particular trip are you trying to book?
Date and train number?

[Tainger]

Which particular trip are you trying to book?
Date and train number?

uhh train 671 sunday june 28

[krs]

uhh train 671 sunday june 28

Train 671 is not on the Via Express Deal list for this week; for the leg Toronto to Windsor, only train 71 is on the list.

[islena]

(My apologizes if this is a re-post. So many posts already, I didn't want to skim through all of 'em.)

http://www.viarail.ca/summer-fares/landing/?lang=en&o=0&WT.mc_id=_ban_728x90_Q2cordor_weather_l-a-tm_en_090706#

Toronto – Ottawa $69*
Toronto – London $38*
Toronto – Kingston $55*
Toronto – Windsor $54*
Montréal – Québec City $44*
Montréal – Ottawa $31*
Montréal – Kingston $54*

*One-way fares excluding taxes. Other conditions apply.

Conditions and details (http://www.viarail.ca/summer-fares/landing/?lang=en&o=0&WT.mc_id=_ban_728x90_Q2cordor_weather_l-a-tm_en_090706#).

This would be their 'special fare'.

[krs]

If you're flexible and can go on a specific train, you can even get much better deals with the "Express Deals"

For instance, for the first trip above - Toronto - Ottawa.

Any day between July 1 and 7th, the fare is only $32.75 if you take train Number 40.
And that fare also applies to any station served by the selected train.

[Daijoubu]

It's been a while since this thread opened, are the coupons booklet still available?

[Hugh]

It's been a while since this thread opened, are the coupons booklet still available?
I saw the coupons on certain Sunlight products about a week ago (when I last looked) at a Metro store.

I bought a train ticket from my town to yours and back a couple of days ago. I found that the Fairmont President's Club to work out better. (See you next week!)
http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork/HotelPackages/SpecialOffer/VIARailSummerOffer.htm

Today, the express specials are even better, but the choices are more limited.
http://www2.viarail.ca/expressdeals/

[Daijoubu]

I got busted at Union and Ottawa twice - the lady at Union was nicest enough to let me pass as it was 7:30am but the Ottawa clerk told me no go - lucky that the Wal Mart is across the street - took a while as the Sunlight books are short of stock, but managed to rip one off.

Come on guys, can't you at least buy the detergeant, it's only $5-8...
I've seen a few ripped off at the Atwater Zellers and that's sad, truly.

Thanks for the heads up Hugh, appreciate it :)

[abercrombieboy]

Have you seen the lines at Wal Mart lately ... I was going to buy it but dropped it at checkout.

The length of the lines is not an excuse for stealing.

[c-ditty]

anyone traveled with kids using the "kids travel free" ticket. Does the ticket issuer or ticket taker on the train as for any form of ID for the kid? My brother lost his birth certificate a while back, is 11, but looks a bit older. Not sure if he'll get hassled on the train or not.

[steinberg]

No hassled on the train as least from Toronto to Niagara Fall train. Assume domestic trains are same.

anyone traveled with kids using the "kids travel free" ticket. Does the ticket issuer or ticket taker on the train as for any form of ID for the kid? My brother lost his birth certificate a while back, is 11, but looks a bit older. Not sure if he'll get hassled on the train or not.

[BandH]

I saw the coupons on certain Sunlight products about a week ago (when I last looked) at a Metro store.

I bought a train ticket from my town to yours and back a couple of days ago. I found that the Fairmont President's Club to work out better. (See you next week!)
http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork/HotelPackages/SpecialOffer/VIARailSummerOffer.htm

Today, the express specials are even better, but the choices are more limited.
http://www2.viarail.ca/expressdeals/

Do you need to show proof that you are a member of Fairmont President's Club ?

[krs]

You need to be careful about the conditions imposed with these deals.

The Fairmont President's Club Via tickets for instance show:
"This exclusive VIA offer requires a full non–refundable deposit at time of reservation with no cancellations."

ie - if you can't travel on the train you bought the tickets for, you lost your money.

Some deals have a cancellation fee which is better than forfeiting the whole fare. Don't know what the Sunlight coupon cancellation requirements are - haven't used one yet.

[mystery]

Yes, for the original deal posted you MUST book on line and you MUST have the physical Sunlight coupon when you picj up your tickets.
I tried getting the discount at the Via wicket with the coupon - no deal.
I found the coupon at Zellers, others found it at Walmart.

But mixed into this thread was another 50% off deal with Via using an "Earth Day" discount code. For that one you just need the discount code, no coupon.
However, the window to get that discount code via email has already expired, but people who have one can book until end of June 2009 (I think) whereas the Sunlight promotion is good into next year (with a black out over Christmas, if you have the physical coupon

I had the Sunlight coupons, but when I went to pick up my tickets from Guildwood station, the attendant did not ask for them.

So I have two Sunlight coupons for a future trip to use!

[duckdown]

Is there any cheap deals for GTA to Montreal and back?

[krs]

$32.75 Via Express deal - but only on one specific train each day.

[JWL]

YMMV but my daughter used a half price ticket using the code in the OP yesterday and did not need the Sunlight coupon when the ticket was picked up and utilized.

[Wrocky]

Thank goodness for the search feature in RFD.

Thanks OP. I was able to pick up a sunlight coupon book with Sunlight detergent at the WalMart in Lincoln Fields in Ottawa. There were another 4 or so left for those that are interested. (F.Y.I. Zellers on Merivale didn't have any).

I was able to save about $100 off the cost of a return trip from Ottawa to Oakville, coming up in a little over a week. All the SuperSaver fares coming back were sold out, so this certainly helped.

Good Luck to all those still searching. I'll update this post in 2 weeks to let you know whether I actually needed the coupon or not. :)

Update: Coupon was asked for when I got the ticket.

[rizzyc]

Thank goodness for the search feature in RFD.

Thanks OP. I was able to pick up a sunlight coupon book with Sunlight detergent at the WalMart in Lincoln Fields in Ottawa. There were another 4 or so left for those that are interested. (F.Y.I. Zellers on Merivale didn't have any).

I was able to save about $100 off the cost of a return trip from Ottawa to Oakville, coming up in a little over a week. All the SuperSaver fares coming back were sold out, so this certainly helped.

Good Luck to all those still searching. I'll update this post in 2 weeks to let you know whether I actually needed the coupon or not. :)

Update: Coupon was asked for when I got the ticket.

This information will really come in handy seeing as how I'm moving to Ottawa next week. I'll have to search for these coupon book. Do you have to buy the detergent and the coupons are inside or they are somewhere at Wal-Mart, you think SQ1 wal-mart might have them as well??

[maoro]

I can't get the Fairmont coupon to work, can anybody else? When I enter the coupon code, the price on the next page is the same regular fare, with no discount.

[krs]

This information will really come in handy seeing as how I'm moving to Ottawa next week. I'll have to search for these coupon book. Do you have to buy the detergent and the coupons are inside or they are somewhere at Wal-Mart, you think SQ1 wal-mart might have them as well??

The sunlight coupon book is sort of shrink wrapped to the outside of the bottle.
So you can see which bottles come with the coupon book and buy those.

I think some people in this thread have proudly posted how they just ripped off the coupon booklet and stole it.

And remember to read the conditions to use this coupon on the Via web site.
You need to book a few days, I think 3 or more, in advance, the fare is not refundable and you need to have the coupon with you at least when you pick up the ticket.

Some people have posted that they weren't asked for the coupon, but that is plain luck. If the Via agent asks you to surtrender the coupon and you don't have one, you will have to pay full fare and I assume you loose the "Sunlight Coupon" reservation as well - not sure how they handle that.

[Grant09]

Just wondering if Via Rail ID's adults? On their website it says they ID students and youth, but nothing about adults.

I'm 24 and according to Via, I'm still a youth but I have a few coupons I could use if I don't get IDed as an adult.

[Gedge]

Just denied for not having the Sunlight coupon at Union. Off to the grocery store later to see if I can find one.

[steinberg]

I have one coupon, anyone need it let me know.

[Gedge]

I have one coupon, anyone need it let me know.

I need it! PM sent.

[Jai_Ho]

these coupons still around?:D

[shiftee]

Just a heads up for anyone still looking for these coupons and are in the Newmarket area. I saw a whole bunch of these coupons still shrinkwrapped to the bottles at the Super Store (located at Yonge + Green Lane). The bottles are also on sale ($1 off :)). Maybe other Super Store locations have these as well.

Good luck

[bobmac99]

if anyone has 2 un-used coupons from the VIA/Sunlight promo, let me know via PM. I travelling to Montreal soon - would love to reduce my travel cost.

[aluk29]

If anyone has any extra coupons, it would be helpful when I go back home from school during the holidays! Thanks!

[Diversified]

looking for discount code or coupons for 2 friends that are trying to take a trip to visit their parents over the christmas break. any tips would be greatly appreciated! thanks

[nameissues]

I am looking for 2 of the 50% Sunlight coupons. Please let me know if you have any.

Thanks.

[surrealillusion]

When are the Sunlight coupons valid till? I'm planning on booking a trip to Toronto in January and having these might save me from having to drive down.

[bkbkbk]

if anyone has one leftover coupon for a holiday trip back home, pm me.. i'd really appreciate it.. thanks!

[bkbkbk]

When are the Sunlight coupons valid till? I'm planning on booking a trip to Toronto in January and having these might save me from having to drive down.

looks like until dec. 14

[Martin (deal addict)]

looks like until dec. 14

Kids travel free component expired Sept 15th

50% off adult fare offer until Dec 14th then suspends Dec15th -Jan 5th then valid again Jan 6th to March 31st 2010.