Eurostar adds extra Christmas trains after 'last-minute strike' leaves travelers stranded
Eurostar is back to running a full timetable of trains out of London, Paris and Brussels after a "last-minute strike" by French rail workers caused chaos Thursday.
Services passing through the Channel Tunnel were thrown into disarray after Eurostar staff members walked out as part of the unforeseen strike.
Related: When European airports and trains will face Christmas strikes
The strike was called at 11 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time, and it carried on throughout the evening, leading to the cancellation of 30 services out of London, Paris and Brussels. The LeShuttle (which transports vehicles through the Channel Tunnel) was also affected.
As a result of the last-minute strike, thousands of passengers found their Christmas plans severely disrupted.
Eurostar has confirmed that normal service has now resumed and that it will be adding eight additional services between now and Christmas — comprising more than 10,000 extra seats — to ensure travelers can still reach their destination,
"A full Eurostar timetable out of London, Paris and Brussels is running today with eight extra services added and over 10,000 extra seats available for the next three days," a Eurostar spokesperson said. "Eurostar's full focus today and over the weekend is on getting people home and on holiday for Christmas. At such an important time of year for families and friends getting together, extra trains have been organised to help customers whose plans were disrupted, and all staff have been mobilised to provide support."
Eurostar added that all affected customers were contacted and given the option to exchange their tickets or receive a full refund for their troubles.
The staff walkouts included staff members across the Eurostar organization, including those who manage infrastructure for the company and run trains. According to the BBC, the strike was prompted after staff members were offered a bonus of 1,000 euros ($1,103), falling short of the union's request for around three times more than that amount.
Bottom line
Christmas travel in Europe plunged into chaos when Eurostar staff members staged a last-minute strike with little warning over proposed discretionary bonus payments. The walkouts forced the cancellation of 30 Eurostar services during one of the year's busiest travel periods. Full services have resumed, with Eurostar adding additional train services to accommodate affected passengers.
Related reading:
- What's the difference between Business Premier, Standard Premier and Standard class?
- The best travel credit cards
- Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.