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Balancing Costs and Cashback

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I will need – for some reason that I will explain another day – to get from Paris Nord back to London St Pancras International. Therefore, I want to take the train for once (Because amazingly, the timings all work out the same for once).

So, I turned to Quidco*. Three options on the table for my travel needs:

  • Eurostar
  • RailEurope (or Voyages SNCF nowdays)
  • SNCB

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So… A choice. Choices are fun things! Now, lets look at the cashback rates:

Site         Eurostar   Rail Europe         SNCB
Cashback        2%          3%              4.75%

Well, that’s a no brainer… book via SNCB. But is it? This is where we look at the second level – the prices!

Eurostar

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Voyages-SNCF

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B-Europe

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Site         Eurostar   Rail Europe        SNCB
Cashback        2%          3%             4.75%
Cost           £40          £40            €42.01 (€55)

And this is why we research. That’s £2.01 or so there when traveling with SNCB ticketing engine, compared to Eurostars or Rail Europe’s tickets.

But wait, there’s more. Depending if you want those miles there is of course a CREDIT CARD fee on top.

Site         Eurostar   Rail Europe        SNCB
Cashback        2%          3%             4.75%
Cost           £40          £40            £42.01 (€55)
Fee for cards   £4          2.5%  (£1)      -

* Note - Did not investigate how much SNCB would charge for cards...

So once again, it pays to shop around – as you’ll reduce the fees. I in the end went for a payment sans credit card to save that £1… and here was the result:

£1.20 is hardly worth getting out of bed for – but for the five minutes you’ve spent, umming and ahhing, that’s a bar or two of chocolate… or £1.20 in the pocket.

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And I’m a great believer in that pennies do add up.

As always, shop around. There will be a point where the £4 credit card fee Eurostar charges becomes quite effective when the 2.5% of Rail Europe hits you.

Just as we do for frequent flying to keep our prices low and miles high, the same applies when shopping for rail tickets… or anything – especially if you’re shopping through cashback websites!

Or to coin a term Be Penny Smart, but don’t be Pound foolish!!!!)

* For those who are remotely interested and want to join Quidco through my affiliate link it’s http://www.quidco.com/user/379602/1746671/. When you earn £5 through it, you’ll get a £5 bonus, as will I… though do buy insurance or mobile phone contracts through it. Flights and Hotels are sometimes not worth the effort….

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