What's "Priority Ticket Issuing" while booking train ticket?

Question

Hello all,

Trying to simulate a train ticket purchasing (Shanghai to Nanjing) and I see a field called:

Priority Ticket Issuing

Expedited ticket issuing and shorter waiting time

what does it mean?

the fee is "only" 2 EUR but not sure what it will ensure me.

which is the shorter waiting time?

is it just the time to wait for "ticket issuance"?

How long it could be the ticket issuance procedure without that?

If seats are available ticket should immediately be sent to me (via email I suppose) is it?

why a need an extra fee to speed up this?

Or am I "out of track" and the meaning is another?

Thanks for support

Answer

The "Priority Ticket Issuing" option when booking Chinese train tickets, such as from Shanghai to Nanjing, is essentially an add-on service designed to expedite the process of your ticket being officially issued after booking.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

What it means: Normally, after you book a train ticket online, the system needs to confirm availability and issue a valid ticket number, which is linked to your passport or ID. With priority issuing, your request is processed faster in the system, so the ticket is issued sooner than usual.
Shorter waiting time: Without priority issuing, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to tens of minutes during peak booking periods for the ticket to be officially issued. With the priority option, the ticket is typically issued almost immediately after payment.
Why the extra fee: The 2 EUR (or equivalent) fee compensates the system or the agent for processing your ticket ahead of regular queues, particularly useful during high-demand times like holidays or rush hours.
Ticket delivery: After the ticket is issued, you generally receive an electronic confirmation via email or SMS, but the priority service ensures this step is completed faster. The actual physical ticket at the station can still be collected in the usual way if you need it, or you can use e-ticket verification at the train entrance.
When it’s most useful: - Booking during major travel periods (Chinese New Year, National Day) when tickets sell out quickly. - If you want to minimize the risk of temporary unconfirmed bookings. - For international travelers who need guaranteed confirmation before leaving for the station.

In short, "Priority Ticket Issuing" does not affect your seat allocation or availability; it only speeds up the administrative process of issuing your ticket. If seats are available and you are booking during off-peak periods, the ticket might be issued almost immediately even without paying extra, but priority issuing ensures this confirmation happens without delay.

What's "Priority Ticket Issuing" while booking train ticket?

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