Asking your experience in reserving renfe tickets with Rail Ninja app

[hikingmd_05]

Hi! I would like to ask forum members of their experience (if any) in reserving Renfe tickets using the Rail Ninja app.
I’m representing a group of pilgrims from the Philippines who’ll be walking the Camino Ingles during Holy Week from Ferrol.
Reservation for the accomodations confirmed before buying our plane tickets last November.
6 weeks ago, I purchased our round trip Renfe tickets (Madrid-Santiago-Madrid) using the Rail Ninja app. I got a notice after purchase that the tickets were under process since it was an advance booking (March 22 is the 1st leg n April 1 is the 2nd leg of the trip).
My last update 1 wk ago sent thru email was “that the reservation was received n already processed but the seat assignment is a little bit delayed by the supplier. The actual train tickets will be issued only when the seat assignment becomes available and will be sent thru email.”
I’m a little bit worried that I might have been scammed.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks

 

[J Willhaus]

On the Renfe App it says the train for April 1 is not yet available for purchase so likely you are still ok at this point. They are waiting for tickets to be available.

This is pretty common in Spain with train and bus tickets not being available months and months in advance.

 

[Kathar1na]

Any thoughts or suggestions?

What @J Willhaus says.

I've never heard of Rail Ninja. According to Trustpilot it is a legitimate company. You've booked with them, so no need to propose other options.

You helpfully provided the dates of your journey. I tried to book tickets for those dates directly, without any intermediary, on the website of Spanish Railways Renfe and it is indeed too early for them to issue tickets for a return journey Madrid-Santiago-Madrid for those dates.

Buen Camino for the whole group!

 

[hikingmd_05]

Thanks for the reassuring messages.

 

[Raymond]

I book with Renfe every year for various trips around Spain. Some from Madrid to various stages on caminos and also for holidays, depending on where we fly into. Renfe only populate their site anywhere between 30 to 60 days in advance. It is a matter of looking on their website on a regular basis nearer your departure date. It can be very 'hit and miss'. This applies to the major routes and their appears to be no definitave advance time . Tt could be 60 days on one occasion and only 30 days in advance the next time.

 

[hikingmd_05]

This is an update on my inquiry on the rail ninja booking platform.
Yesterday, I requested an update on our tickets since the departure date is 10 days away thru the platform’s support service. I got a reply that our chosen departure date has been changed so I requested a refund. Within an hour after the cancellation of the 1st leg (Madrid to SdC on March 22), I received another email regarding ticket change of the next leg, SdC to Madrid on April 1 (from cost saver to flexible) n the cost of the difference ($132) should be paid which I did. I was surprised later that not only the 1st leg but also the 2nd leg cancelled! And I was assured of a refund.
So, our grp of 4 decided to fly to Santiago n return to Madrid by train (booked thru Trainline).

 

[trecile]

Your experience seems to bear out negative posts like these on TripAdvisor's Train Travel forum:

Rail Ninja is a complete scam - Train Travel Forum - Tripadvisor

Do not book your train travel through Rail Ninja. They charged us a fee on top of the regular fare from Madrid to Seville. Just book through Renfe directly. Rail Ninja is not affiliated with Renfe in any way. Also, we thought we were confirmed for...

www.tripadvisor.com

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i12483-k14412448-Rain_Ninja_fraud_alert-Train_Travel.html