Solving problems with IRCTC/Cleartrip registration

Though you are given an option to have a preference of a certain seat/berth, the actual allocation is done by the sytem logic based on a variety of factors. However the system is programmed to allot seats as close as possible to the other passengers on the same ticket.

DLI-ASR is a 7 hour journey at the minimum. Night travel will be better. The seats/berths may not be consecutive, but will be close. Having consecutive seats does NOT mean you are next to each other, bytheway. If you look at the train caoch diagrams of the various types/classes in some thread here by Steven_ber, you will get a very good idea.

You can also ask your fellow paassengers to exchange seats with any one of you to be able to sit/be closer. Of course you will have to ask, and they may also refuse.

which class are you traveling?
if CC/2S (or 1A in shatabdi), you will be placed together (as long as such seats are available). if you opt for window for both, and it is available, you are sure to be sitting apart...
in case of sleeper berths in SL/3A/2A, again, you might at best be placed in the same compartment, if available. please see the seating arrangement at steven's thread to understand if you want to be seated together or facing each other...

Dave, I have seen this recommendation many a times. Perhaps this is the quick way to check if the payment system works...
I have a better idea - take a train with very little availability & insist on at least one lower berth. After the payment gateway part, you will be back to IRCTC where they would indicate that your preference is not available & whether you want to accept what they offer - you politely decline at this point.
Benefits:
- No ticket booked, so does not count against your monthly quota
- No IRCTC service charge or PG charges payable - all refunded
- You get FULL refund, thereby allowing you to check how the refund system works & how long it takes

BTW, is it OK to book a child ticket to pay the discounted fare without another adult - knowing that you will cancel later (or decline at the final step)? Is there anything that forces an adult to be a co-passenger in that case?

Half-ticket cannot be booked separately.

ouch! i was planning to use this option for my nephew over rajdhani/duranto, but looks like i have to look for other options...

ok, here's another option, book for sr ctzn female, but ensure no SS quota is available, so you are sure to get an option to decline at the end. so, you can achieve the same at a lower amount being blocked with IRCTC...

NB

If I recall correctly you were planning to book on the Shatabdi which has EC and chair cars. When I have booked these online in the past I have asked for 1 window seat and one no preference and we have always been given seats together.

I see where you are coming from but I think most first timers would want the reassurance that both their Cleartrip account functions and that their credit card will function for the transaction which means buying something.

It also lets people see what a ticket looks like and gives them a chance to find out how cancellations work.

fair enough. in that case booking 14044 from DLI-DSA for SrctznW will cost 23+10=33 rs - can't beat that price for an integration test

I just want to say thanks to everyone for all the helpful information on this thread. I was able to start booking tickets on cleartrip.com (from the USA) after only a few days thanks to the suggestions found here. I found the folks at wsoperations@irctc.co.in to be very helpful. They emailed me my SMS code within a few hours of my sending them my passport scan (after a few back-and-forths with the care@irctc.co.in address.)

i tried a test booking in IRCTC for a solo child-ticket& reached upto the 'make payment' stage...

does this mean the ticket would not have been valid if i had went ahead with payment (or something would have stopped me after the payment stage)?

Thank you everyone for the excellent advice in this thread.
Using the information provided here I emailed IRCTC my request for the mobile phone verification code and got the response in less than three hours.
Job done.

Hello, I'm in trouble to book a train ticket so I'm looking for some help here.
Let me describe the background.
1) I don't have an Indian mobile phone and I don't have AMEX, just a VISA
2) I have a validated IRCTC account (through the email & SMS code)
3) I have a validated cleartrip.com account (through the email link)
4) I found my train in cleartrip.com and it's available to be booked
5) When I try to book it, cleartrip.com ask me to sign in to my existing IRCTC Account
6) I fill the cleartrip fields as filled in my IRCTC account but it can't recognize it
7) All the times I press "Sign in or register" button in cleartrip I receive an email from ticketadmin@irctc.co.in that contains an "email OTP"(One Time Password) and a link to a cleartrip certification webpage. Where I should insert also a "mobile OTP".

Is it normal? I have to certify my IRCTC account again?

In the meanwhile I've tried to call Customer Care (+9111 393 40000) without success (it's always busy) and I've also written an email to care@irctc.co.in & wsoperations@irctc.co.in to request the "mobile OTP"

....the availability for this train is going to finish so I have to solve the issue asap.

Any suggestion?
Thanks for any reply

FYI
I've just received an email from the customer care with the "mobile OTP".
Now both account are synchronized and I've just booked my first ticket :-)

Question:
Is it normal that in the tickect I've found this wording:
----
Scheduled Departure: N.A. *
[......]
* Departure time printed on the ERS is liable to change. New time table from 01-Jul-2011.
---

I was expected to find the timing of departure (at least as a reminder). Furthermore today is the 06-Jul-2012!!!!

Any idea?

Andyrom

Good to see that you have managed to get your account working.

Which train have you booked? There have been some recent timetable changes.

Hi Dave,
I've booked a couple of trains. Both tickets have the same "issue".
In the confirmation page the departure time is shown (with the above note), but in the PDF sent by email, the this information desappear. I don't know why...

Furthermore I've paid for a ticket never confirmed & issued. Even if in the "trips area" it's written "refunded", I've understood that I'll get the money back within 1 month. I hope :-)