Special IRCTC Rules: Winter is almost here. If you are thinking of taking a trip in a sleeper coach during this time, you may run into some issues. Well, there is a chance for you to find some sort of relief because you can actually travel with an AC coach even if you have purchased a sleeper ticket. Well, this offer is not open to all passengers traveling in a sleeper class coach. But let us tell you that IRCTC has offered a great offer. It’s called the Auto Upgradation Scheme. Let’s find out more about that.
Often, upper-class coaches like AC First Class and AC Second Class go unused due to the high prices. These empty berths lead to a loss of revenue for the railways. As a solution to this issue, Indian Railways has come up with a plan called the Auto Upgradation Scheme. The scheme allows passengers of lower-class trains to be automatically put in the upper-class section, without any extra fare if there are empty berths.
How does this scheme work?
Let’s simplify it. For example, if your train has four empty seats in First AC, and two empty seats in Second AC, then passengers from Second AC may be upgraded into First AC, and the passengers from Third AC will be upgraded into Second AC. This way, there will be a few void seats in Third AC and the Railway will fill the void seats to the waiting list passengers. In this process, no berth in any coach of the train will remain void.
Whose ticket can be upgraded?
While booking a ticket, IRCTC asks if you are ready for auto upgrade. If you select ‘Yes’, your ticket can be upgraded. If you select ‘No’, it won’t be. If you don’t choose any option, IRCTC will treat it as ‘Yes’ by default.
Will your PNR change?
When your ticket is upgraded, your PNR number does not change. You can use the same PNR for all travel-related details. However, if you cancel the ticket after it has been upgraded, the refund will be given according to your original ticket class, not the upgraded one.