Virgin Trains respond to 26-30 railcard selling out with #AvoCard
By Georgina Vincent on Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Virgin Train’s new reactive campaign revolves around Millennial’s supposed favourite food stuff – the avocado.
The launch of the new 26-30 railcard left consumers disappointed as repeat crashes of the website meant that many were unable to get their hands on the card which gives 1/3 off rail fares.
Following on from this, Virgin Trains have offered an unorthodox, alternative solution – the #AvoCard. For one week only customers aged 26-30 are encouraged to simply bring along an avocado when buying a ticket on Virgin trains to claim the same discount the card offers.
Didn't bag a Millennial Railcard? Have no fear! Simply present an avocado in place of your railcard when booking your ticket and you'll be entitled to the same fantastic 1/3 off discount for one week only. Full details here: https://t.co/7Dp48RWzgp ? #Avocard #railcard pic.twitter.com/NLhPfbD2yp
— Virgin Trains (@VirginTrains) March 13, 2018
The quick thinking stunt garnered mixed reactions with some claiming that the avocado X millennial relationship had already been bled dry or could even be seen as downright offensive to Millennials themselves.
Oh dear ? But you have to admire @VirginTrains strength in maintaining the millennial ‘#PR‘ stunt #SocialMedia > https://t.co/MYcl5mwbJt
— Donna White (@dmhwhite) March 14, 2018
Virgin Trains’ avocado PR stunt is offensive IMHO https://t.co/JDZ13gjdYV via @refinery29uk #avocard
— Natalie Gil (@natalierosegil) March 14, 2018
Others praised the “fun”, if a bit random tone the campaign presented with Peperami even joining in, offering their followers “meaty snacks” for those sharing their travelling avocado pictures.
Didn’t bag a @VirginTrains Millennial #Railcard? Have no fear! Send me your best avocado photo and I’ll send a proper meaty snack to 10 of you! #Avocard pic.twitter.com/5NJ3P3N0Qp
— Peperami Animal (@Peperami) March 14, 2018
Let’s just hope those using the promotion are using fresh avocados as we can all agree that the last thing commuter trains need are a bottom of the drawer avocado smell at 8 in the morning.
