2023-10-09 17:03:00
Eurostar becomes the unique brand of the railway company, which serves five countries and four European capitals.
It has been a fact since October 1: Thalys has definitively disappeared, absorbed by Eurostar. From now on, a single railway company majority-owned by SNCF serves five countries and four European capitals at 300 km/h: France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. To mark the occasion and make its new identity known, Eurostar presented its new loyalty program this Monday in London as well as its next campaign, which will be broadcast from October 16 in the five countries. The new entity targets 30 million passengers transported per year by 2030. That is ten million more than today.
If this Eurostar XXL provides European rail with a powerful operator, travelers will not be disoriented, however, its promoters promise. Comfort classes, access to lounges, exchange and cancellation conditions, ticket prices… What changes can you expect? Our recap.
Also read: The new Eurostar accelerates to reach cruising speed
Which destinations are served by the new Eurostar entity?
Until now known for its Paris-London (direct) and Brussels-London (with a stop in Lille) connections, Eurostar inherits the Thalys lines, namely those which connect Paris to Belgium (Brussels, Liège, etc.) , the Netherlands (Amsterdam, Rotterdam…) and Germany (Cologne, Düsseldorf…).
From now on, wherever you go, you will take a Eurostar train, adorned with a logo representing a six-pointed star. The changes are especially significant for British travelers who can now travel to Germany with a single booking, rather than two separate tickets.
Also read: Where to go for a weekend by train? 50 ideas for destinations in Europe
What comfort and service on board?
From now on, we must distinguish between “cross-Channel” trains in blue and “continental” trains in red, the original Thalys color. Eurostar
The 51 trains in the fleet are divided into 26 blue-colored “cross-Channel” trainsets and 25 red-colored “continental” trainsets (formerly Thalys). They always have three classes of travel, but their name differs depending on the destination. They are called Standard, Comfort et Premium between France and Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany and Standard, Standard Premier et Business Premier on trains to/from London (blue trains).
Services vary depending on the class and ticket chosen. Thus, a hot meal and drinks are served in Premium and Business Premier, while a cold snack is served in Standard Premier.
Also readTrain: SNCF, Eurostar, Trenitalia… Who has the best business class? Our big comparison
Where to book Eurostar tickets?
Reservations are now made on a single site and application. Eurostar
From now on, whatever the destination, the reservation is made on a single site (eurostar.com) and an application (Eurostar Trains). Call prices remain the same, with tickets sold from €29 between Paris and Brussels and from €44 between Paris and London. A price calendar allows you to identify the least expensive dates at a glance.
It is also possible to buy tickets on other platforms, such as SNCF Connect, Trainline or Kombo. However, these offer fewer features and do not allow you to choose your seat, for example. Note that on connections to/from London, it is cheaper to book a return trip than two one-way tickets separately.
Also read: Why is the Eurostar so expensive between Paris and London?
What does the new loyalty program look like?
The new loyalty program is called Club Eurostar and is broken down into four statuses: Classic (0 to 499 points), Advantage (500 to 2899 points), Carte blanche (2900 to 4999 points) and Star (beyond 5000 points). Members accumulate at least 1 point per euro spent, but the higher their status, the more they earn. For example, you must accumulate 170 points for a €5 reduction, 600 points for an upgrade or 1000 points for a free one-way ticket on any route on the Eurostar network.
For members of the old Thalys World program, nothing changes, Eurostar promises: points have been transferred and converted automatically to the new program, provided that the same email address is used for both accounts. If this is not the case, you must make a request to customer service.
Also read: Why Eurostar trains run with hundreds of empty seats, even during peak hours
What are the exchange and cancellation conditions?
Here too, despite the merger, Eurostar retains the exchange and cancellation conditions already in force. On old Thalys lines, travelers still benefit from rather advantageous conditions with the possibility of exchanging or canceling free of charge up to 7 days before departure. Less than six days before departure, the exchange fee amounts to €15 and it is no longer possible to be reimbursed.
On trains to/from London, the policy is stricter. Standard and Standard Premier tickets cannot be refunded and are exchangeable at will up to 7 days before departure, following which a penalty of €40 to €50 applies. Only Business Premier tickets are exchangeable and refundable free of charge before departure.
Also read: Strike, cancellation, missed train… How to get your ticket refunded?
Do the old Thalys lounges still exist?
The lounges located following customs are renamed “Lounge Business Premier”. Here the one from Paris-Nord. Eurostar
The lounges continue to exist and remain accessible under the same conditions. But they change their name. The old Thalys ones in Paris-Nord and Brussels-Midi are renamed “Eurostar Lounge”, while those of Eurostar, located following passing customs in these same stations as well as in London St Pancras, are renamed “Lounge Business Premier “. In Germany, Eurostar does not have a lounge, but eligible travelers can access Deutsche Bahn lounges.
Also read: Too popular? Airport lounges facing new challenges
ON VIDEO – The Eurostar brand will replace the current Thalys
”
data-script=”
>
1696886655
#Destinations #comfort #prices.. #EurostarThalys #merger #travelers
