Be careful booking bus on Alsa app

Eshowian

First timer in May 2017

Time of past OR future Camino

Walking Leon to Santiago May 2017 for my 60th birthday.

• May 31, 2017

• #1

I booked my bus from Leon back to Madrid using the Alsa app. They took the money from my bank, and I arrive now at the station and there is no ticket in my name - despite the screenshot I have of each step of the booking process.
Had to buy another £34.85, and trey said I must claim it back from my bank when I get back to UK. All further discussion met with shrugged shoulders.

 

H

HighlandsHiker

Guest

• May 31, 2017

• #2

What a pain, especially after presenting the screenshots and the money being out of your account! Thank you for the heads-up, and hope your bank can get it sorted. Have a safe trip home.

 

LTfit

Veteran Member

Donating Member

• May 31, 2017

• #3

A couple of weeks ago I booked a ticket through Alsa and printed out the attachment they sent me by email. Maybe better to do that rather than showing a screen shot, at least I have done this numerous times without problems.

 

B

bmcbride

CVRambler

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances (2014), Camino Inca (2015), Primitivo (2017), Portugues (2018), Finisterre (2018)

• May 31, 2017

• #4

Thank you for the heads-up. Unfortunately, I booked some Alsa trips about a week ago. I do have a printed copy of what I received, so I will hope for the best.

 

Maple Leaf Walker

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024

• May 31, 2017

• #5

Probably worth considering opting for paying by credit card for things like that. That way, you can quickly dispute charges. Anyhow, these things usually work themselves out.

 

StepheninDC

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

June 2017

• May 31, 2017

• #6

I also booked through them and am planning to print everything out. Don't want to take any chances.

 

trecile

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Various routes 2016 - 2024

• May 31, 2017

• #7

From the OP's post it sounds like the problem is specifically booking on the Alsa app, not their website.

 

Anniesantiago

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2006 to date: Over 21 Caminos. See signature line

• May 31, 2017

• #8

I never book buses ahead of time.
Just walk into the station and buy a ticket.
Never had a problem.

 

notion900

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

>

• May 31, 2017

• #9

I have said before on here that the ALSA app is rubbish. Half the buses are missing from the timetable! I went into the bus station in Oviedo and the ladies behind the ALSA counter freely admitted it was useless. If booking ahead I would use the website and print everything.

 

Eshowian

First timer in May 2017

Time of past OR future Camino

Walking Leon to Santiago May 2017 for my 60th birthday.

• May 31, 2017

• #10

trecile said:

From the OP's post it sounds like the problem is specifically booking on the Alsa app, not their website.

Click to expand...

Oh, that is probably the issue then. I bought with C/card so will sort when I get home.

 

timr

Active Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Several and counting...

• Jun 1, 2017

• #11

Sorry to hear of your problem, which must be both annoying and disappointing.
I have quite often booked (mostly ALSA buses) with no problems except I find the ALSA site a little difficult to manage. But the Movelia.es site, which lets you book ALSA tickets, I have always found much easier. I have used both printed tickets and tickets on the ALSA app. I haven't tried the Movelia app, but I will. I always felt that I had a very clear confirmation that my booking had been made.

 

StepheninDC

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

June 2017

• Jun 1, 2017

• #12

Anniesantiago said:

I never book buses ahead of time.
Just walk into the station and buy a ticket.
Never had a problem.

Click to expand...

That's great! I've taken buses many times in Spain and I *usually* didn't buy ahead of time, but this trip is a little different for me so I booked ahead just to be on the safe side. I've been told that summer is a busy season and I'm anxious to get to SJPdP on time.