As the number of foreign tourists in Italy is rapidly increasing following the end of the Covid pandemic, the purchase of tickets for the fast reserved trains is similarly increasing. More and more travellers are buying these tickets months in advance in order to benefit from discounts which can reach 70-80% of the regular train fare. Because most discounted train tickets are NONREFUNDABLE (and many are also non-changeable), prospective travelers who buy tickets in advance are incurring risks of losing their money should they need to cancel their trip for a variety of reasons, such as illness, injury, family considerations, work-related issues, civil unrest/war/terrorism, or simply because they have changed their travel plans.
Both Trenitalia and Italo Treno offer a PARTIAL REFUND OPTION, which is the best insurance against the foregoing risks.
WHAT IS THIS FEATURE CALLED?
"tiRimborso" (Trenitalia) or "Opzione Rimborso" (Italo Treno).
WHEN MUST IT BE PURCHASED?
Simultaneously with ticket purchase (not subsequently).
WHAT IS THE REFUND AMOUNT?
90% for Trenitalia and 80% for Italo Treno.
WHAT DOES THE PARTIAL REFUND OPTION COST?
2 Euros per ticket per train (if your ticket has travel on two separate reserved fast trains, you pay 4 Euros). NOTE: For the Trenitalia "Economy" fare, you pay only 1 Euro.
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION DEADLINE?
23:59 (Italy time) two days beforehand (Trenitalia) or 72 hours beforehand (Italo Treno).
HOW IS THE REFUND PROCESSED?
The refund is given as a credit to your payment card (except for the Trenitalia "FrecciaDays" fare, where the refund is given in the form of a travel voucher valid for 12 months of future train travel on Trenitalia).
ARE ALL TICKET AMOUNTS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PARTIAL REFUND OPTION?
The Trenitalia "tiRimborso" option is not available if the ticket costs 10 Euros or less (not very likely for these fast reserved trains, though possible).
WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR CANCELLATION?
You may cancel the ticket FOR ANY REASON.
WHEN IS THE PARTIAL REFUND OPTION NOT INDICATED?
If you purchase the Trenitalia "Base" fare or the Italo "Flex" fare, the ticket is automatically refundable at 80%, provided you cancel no later than the departure time of the train.
WHAT ABOUT THE TRENITALIA UNRESERVED REGIONALE/REGIONALE VELOCE TRAINS?
The "tiRimborso" option doesn't apply because tickets for these trains are automatically refundable at 80%, provided you cancel no later than 23:59 (Italy time) the day beforehand. However, there is no refund if the ticket costs 10 Euros or less. There are no discounted tickets for these unreserved trains (apart from the 50% child's fare under age 12). The fare is called "Ordinaria".
PROTECT YOURSELF, BUY THE PARTIAL REFUND OPTION when buying discounted tickets in advance for the fast reserved trains !!!
NOTE: The foregoing information is current as of today's date, but tariff conditions are always subject to change.
Both Trenitalia and Italo Treno offer a PARTIAL REFUND OPTION, which is the best insurance against the foregoing risks.
WHAT IS THIS FEATURE CALLED?
"tiRimborso" (Trenitalia) or "Opzione Rimborso" (Italo Treno).
WHEN MUST IT BE PURCHASED?
Simultaneously with ticket purchase (not subsequently).
WHAT IS THE REFUND AMOUNT?
90% for Trenitalia and 80% for Italo Treno.
WHAT DOES THE PARTIAL REFUND OPTION COST?
2 Euros per ticket per train (if your ticket has travel on two separate reserved fast trains, you pay 4 Euros). NOTE: For the Trenitalia "Economy" fare, you pay only 1 Euro.
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION DEADLINE?
23:59 (Italy time) two days beforehand (Trenitalia) or 72 hours beforehand (Italo Treno).
HOW IS THE REFUND PROCESSED?
The refund is given as a credit to your payment card (except for the Trenitalia "FrecciaDays" fare, where the refund is given in the form of a travel voucher valid for 12 months of future train travel on Trenitalia).
ARE ALL TICKET AMOUNTS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PARTIAL REFUND OPTION?
The Trenitalia "tiRimborso" option is not available if the ticket costs 10 Euros or less (not very likely for these fast reserved trains, though possible).
WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR CANCELLATION?
You may cancel the ticket FOR ANY REASON.
WHEN IS THE PARTIAL REFUND OPTION NOT INDICATED?
If you purchase the Trenitalia "Base" fare or the Italo "Flex" fare, the ticket is automatically refundable at 80%, provided you cancel no later than the departure time of the train.
WHAT ABOUT THE TRENITALIA UNRESERVED REGIONALE/REGIONALE VELOCE TRAINS?
The "tiRimborso" option doesn't apply because tickets for these trains are automatically refundable at 80%, provided you cancel no later than 23:59 (Italy time) the day beforehand. However, there is no refund if the ticket costs 10 Euros or less. There are no discounted tickets for these unreserved trains (apart from the 50% child's fare under age 12). The fare is called "Ordinaria".
PROTECT YOURSELF, BUY THE PARTIAL REFUND OPTION when buying discounted tickets in advance for the fast reserved trains !!!
NOTE: The foregoing information is current as of today's date, but tariff conditions are always subject to change.
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