Latest news with #ReservationAgainstCancellation
News18
4 days ago
- News18
1AC Without Paying For It? Passenger's Lucky Upgrade Is Making Us Jealous
Last Updated: This Reddit user shared their surprise with a free upgrade of their 2nd AC train ticket to 1st AC with a screenshot of IRCTC's text. Imagine travelling somewhere and getting a free upgrade. Sounds exciting, doesn't it? That is exactly what happened to one Reddit user, whose second AC train ticket was automatically upgraded to first AC, sparking surprise and a touch of envy online. The rare stroke of luck comes courtesy of IRCTC's lesser-known auto-upgradation scheme, which bumps confirmed or waitlisted passengers to higher classes at no additional cost, provided seats are available. The post prompted a flood of personal upgrade stories, with many likening the experience to 'winning a tiny lottery." The original poster (OP) shared a screenshot of the Indian Railways' message, which read: 'PNR XXX, Congratulations! Your ticket has been automatically upgraded. Travel in the higher class at no extra cost. – IR-CRIS." In their caption, the user noted that this was the first time they had received such an upgrade, writing, 'I was promoted from 2AC to first class." They added, 'Before the auto-upgrade feature started working properly, I always thought it was a joke." The post drew hundreds of comments, with users sharing their own experiences, ranging from lucky upgrades to disappointing misses. One user quipped receiving upgrade from Indian Railways was 'once in a lifetime event." Another user noted that receiving the upgrade depends on the train occupancy. 'I got lots of upgrades from 3rd AC to 1st AC," they said, adding that they deliberately never booked to confirm 3rd AC ticket. 'I always booked WL 5-8," the user added. A third user noted that their waiting list tickets get updated till Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC). But not everyone was as lucky. 'The opportunity I waited for my whole life. 3A to 2A, SL to 3A, yes. But never 2A to 1A," a user lamented. What is the IRCTC auto-upgradation scheme? The IRCTC's free auto-upgradation feature aims to fill vacant seats in higher-class coaches by upgrading passengers holding confirmed or waitlisted lower-class tickets. Depending on availability, a traveller may be bumped up by one or even two classes at no extra cost. However, many find this upgrade elusive. Despite booking several tickets, some passengers report never receiving an upgrade. For the lucky few who do, though, it feels like 'winning a tiny lottery", as one user described it. First Published:
India Today
05-06-2025
- India Today
What Is RAC in Indian Railways? Know the rules, benefits
RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation. It is a unique ticketing system on the Indian Railways that allows passengers to travel even when all confirmed berths are booked, but does not guarantee a full berth at the time of an RAC ticket ensures you can board the train and have a seat, typically by sharing a berth with another RAC IS RAC, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?When you book a ticket and all berths are already taken, Indian Railways issues an RAC ticket. This means you're not on the waitlist -- you're assured of travel, usually with a seat shared on a side-lower berth. RAC offers peace of mind for travellers who can't afford to miss their THE SYSTEM WORKSTwo RAC ticket holders typically share one side-lower berth. If other passengers cancel or unused berths free up, one RAC passenger is upgraded to a full berth while the other continues status is dynamic and can improve as the departure date nears (e.g., RAC8 RAC2).SEAT SHARING RULES AND ALLOCATION GUIDELINESTraditionally, RAC meant sharing a seat during the day and a berth at nightOfficial sleeping hours are 10 pm to 6 am -- upper berth passengers may sit on lower berths only during the dayadvertisementThe RAC quota per coach ranges from 12 to 14 seats, depending on coach type (ICF or LHB)Around 6-7 side-lower berths per coach are designated for the RACThis allows for at least a dozen RAC passengers per coach, with real-time movement on the upgrade listCANCELLATION, REFUNDS, AND UPGRADE PATHRAC tickets can be cancelled for a small feeIf upgraded before or during travel, the passenger receives a full berthIf not upgraded, the seat is still confirmed for the entire journeyBENEFITS OF BOOKING A RAC TICKETGuaranteed travel: Unlike waitlisted passengers, RAC ticket holders are never denied upgrade: Many RAC passengers are upgraded automatically as others than waitlist: RAC is the safer bet for urgent or long-distance TO KEEP IN MINDNo full berth guarantee: Sharing is still possible unless upgradedNo fare discount: RAC passengers pay the same fare as confirmed ticket holdersTime-bound cancellation rules: Refunds and changes must follow IRCTC policies and deadlinesWith every RAC passenger now entitled to an individual seat, this ticketing system has become more user-friendly than ever. Whether you're on a tight schedule or just want a backup plan when trains are full, RAC offers a dependable solution that combines flexibility with Watch
India Today
05-06-2025
- India Today
What Is RAC in Indian Railways? Know rules, benefits and latest changes
RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation. It is a unique ticketing system on the Indian Railways that allows passengers to travel even when all confirmed berths are booked, but does not guarantee a full berth at the time of an RAC ticket ensures you can board the train and have a seat, typically by sharing a berth with another RAC passenger. But now, this rule is set to change. RAC passengers can now get a separate seat, with no need to IS RAC, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?When you book a ticket and all berths are already taken, Indian Railways issues an RAC ticket. This means you're not on the waitlist -- you're assured of travel, usually with a seat shared on a side-lower berth. RAC offers peace of mind for travellers who can't afford to miss their THE SYSTEM WORKSTwo RAC ticket holders typically share one side-lower berth. If other passengers cancel or unused berths free up, one RAC passenger is upgraded to a full berth while the other continues sharing. RAC status is dynamic and can improve as the departure date nears (e.g., RAC8 RAC2).In a major change, Indian Railways now guarantees separate seats for all RAC passengers, eliminating the need to share. This upgrade applies to all trains and classes where RAC is issued. The result: more comfort, less confusion, and a better travel experience -- especially during peak SHARING RULES AND ALLOCATION GUIDELINESadvertisementTraditionally, RAC meant sharing a seat during the day and a berth at nightWith new rules, sharing is minimised, and upgrades happen as berths openOfficial sleeping hours are 10 pm to 6 am -- upper berth passengers may sit on lower berths only during the dayThe RAC quota per coach ranges from 12 to 14 seats, depending on coach type (ICF or LHB)Around 6-7 side-lower berths per coach are designated for the RACThis allows for at least a dozen RAC passengers per coach, with real-time movement on the upgrade listCANCELLATION, REFUNDS, AND UPGRADE PATHRAC tickets can be cancelled for a small feeIf upgraded before or during travel, the passenger receives a full berthIf not upgraded, the seat is still confirmed for the entire journeyBENEFITS OF BOOKING A RAC TICKETGuaranteed travel: Unlike waitlisted passengers, RAC ticket holders are never denied upgrade: Many RAC passengers are upgraded automatically as others than waitlist: RAC is the safer bet for urgent or long-distance TO KEEP IN MINDNo full berth guarantee: Sharing is still possible unless upgradedNo fare discount: RAC passengers pay the same fare as confirmed ticket holdersTime-bound cancellation rules: Refunds and changes must follow IRCTC policies and deadlinesWith every RAC passenger now entitled to an individual seat, this ticketing system has become more user-friendly than ever. Whether you're on a tight schedule or just want a backup plan when trains are full, RAC offers a dependable solution that combines flexibility with Watch
India Today
04-06-2025
- General
- India Today
Man with confirmed train ticket refuses to give up seat for family with RAC
A man travelling via train claimed he was harassed by fellow passengers travelling on RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets, despite holding a confirmed side upper berth. He narrated his ordeal in a now-viral post on Reddit that has sparked debate online. He began by stating, 'So I had a confirmed SU ticket from Indore. I was having a great conversation with Ujjain when a family entered the scene. They had RACs of the seat below.'advertisementThings escalated quickly. The family insisted that the lower seat was solely theirs, despite one of the berths, seat number 64, being his confirmed seat. 'They started arguing that I should go on the upper seat. This is RAC, and they will sit down. I told them I don't want to sleep now and I'll go up at 10 pm,' he wrote. The disagreement grew tense, with the couple allegedly throwing tantrums and giving him looks. He said other RAC passengers joined in with unsolicited advice, which made him feel guilty for using the seat he had paid for. The family eventually 'played the family card', which he said was the last straw. He asked them to speak to the TT (Travelling Ticket Examiner).But what followed didn't help. 'When TT came in, he started giving gyaan to me, that I should understand and blah blah. He threatened me, saying that if he played by the rules, it would not be good for me. I told him to go ahead and do that,' he said in his passenger concluded his post by saying the experience left him angry and frustrated, all because he didn't want to vacate a seat that was legally and rightfully his. 'The whole incident made me angry and guilty at the same time, just because a family was travelling in RAC and I didn't want to sleep at the same time,' he said. Take a look at the post here: The post struck a chord with the internet, while several users praised him for standing his ground. 'Should've asked the TT to explain the rule. A confirmed ticket means you don't have to move unless you want to,' a user said. Another user pointed out, 'There's no rule that a person with a confirmed ticket must take the upper berth. If two RAC passengers are sharing the lower one, that's their problem. Seat 64 belongs to the person who paid for it.''You were right, but be careful. Some people are petty. Tie your shoes and luggage up when you sleep,' one of the users said. However, not everyone agreed. A user argued that the confirmed passenger should have voluntarily vacated the seat to make things easier for the RAC family. 'Laws aren't always meant to be taken literally. Two people struggling over one berth should've made the OP reconsider,' the user user added, 'Yes, he paid for 64, but empathy matters. If someone can sit upstairs and let a family settle, they should. This obsession with rules is ruining public courtesy.'But several users were quick to counter that viewpoint. 'Empathy isn't one-way. The person with the confirmed seat doesn't owe anything to the RAC family. This is the railway's problem, not his,' said another post has sparked a wider debate online. While some believe standing your ground is justified with a confirmed ticket, others feel a little empathy can go a long way in shared public spaces.
