What are PQWL Confirmation Chances?
10 May, 2024
Synopsis
PQWL stands for Pooled Quota Waitlisted tickets, which are seldom confirmed.
Pooled Quota represents the smaller stations between the starting and terminating stations.
You can easily book Pooled Quota tickets on PayZapp.
Travel aggregator platforms have changed the entire ecosystem of how we approach train travel bookings. Gone are the days of having to pay agents commission or standing in long queues at stations to book tickets. Apps like HDFC Bank’s PayZapp have integrated the IRCTC online booking platform, allowing you to link your IRCTC account and book tickets instantly. But while the booking process may be simplified, novice travellers may be unaware of the various booking codes the IRCTC uses. One such code is PQWL, indicating an unconfirmed, waitlisted ticket. So, let’s find out what PQWL represents and understand more about PQWL confirmation chances.
What is PQ and PQWL?
To properly understand PQWL, we first need to delve into its ‘PQ’ aspect.
In rail bookings, PQ stands for Pooled Quota. Tickets under this quota are typically allotted to passengers who are either travelling from the originating station to another station, which is perhaps a smaller station on the travel route, an intermediate station, or a station short of the train’s terminating station. Some passengers may also travel between two intermediate stations. Every train route typically has only one pooled quota for the train’s entire run.
Now, most passengers typically tend to travel on the busier routes – generally boarding from the departing station, alighting at the terminating station or both. As such, the Indian Railways allots fewer tickets in the pooled quota by pooling several smaller stations and allotting a fixed, X number of tickets to passengers boarding from those smaller stations. So, when tickets under this relatively small quota are fully booked, passengers may be waitlisted and their ticket status may be marked as PQWL which stands for Pooled Quota Waitlisted tickets.
Chances of PQWL Confirmation
As mentioned above, the IR distributes Pooled Quota Waitlisted listed tickets once the tickets under the Pooled Quota are sold out. As is apparent, this quota is quite small anyway. Also, from an economic standpoint, the Indian Railways prioritises assigning tickets to passengers travelling on the longer routes (up to the departure point, or close to the departure point). These factors reduce the PQWL ticket confirmation chances.
The order in which the Indian Railways confirms waitlisted tickets begins with the General Quota Waitlisted tickets (GNWL). These are passengers travelling on the busier routes, typically boarding from and alighting at the starting and terminating stations respectively. The logic behind prioritising other WL quotas over PQWL is that passengers looking to travel between smaller stations can get confirmed seats in the Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) or short-distance (slow speed) trains.
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Confirmed Pooled Quota Tickets?
Since the chances of confirmation of PQWL tickets are typically low, you have to look for alternative strategies to ensure you get a confirmed ticket. Here are somethings you can do:
Consider booking your tickets as soon as the booking window opens, which is four months in advance, especially if you intend to travel during the peak/holiday season.
Consider spending a little extra and booking tickets from the starting station or up to the departing station. This increases your chances of getting a confirmed ticket.
Check if a travel agent can help you since the Indian Railways typically allots slots to agents to guarantee confirmed bookings.
Ensure you have a travel app like PayZapp downloaded on your phone so you can keep an eye on the availability of tickets on a particular route at any time.
Booking Train Tickets on PayZapp
HDFC Bank’s PayZapp has integrated the IRCTC platform, which you can directly access through the app. You simply need to log in with your IRCTC credentials once, after which you can book tickets on PayZapp. Here are the steps to follow:
Login to PayZapp Online Payment App with your finger/thumb print, click on the ‘Shop’ tab and select ‘Trains’.
Enter your departure and arrival station names, the departure date, and click on ‘Search’.
PayZapp shall provide a list of trains running on your chosen route. Select a train, click on ‘Check Availability’ to see the number of available tickets and the ticket prices as per different travel classes.
Make your selection and click on ‘Book’. Then, confirm your IRCTC ID, enter the travellers’ names, age, gender, etc., and accept the Terms and Conditions.
Click on ‘Continue’ to complete the booking and payment process by choosing your preferred payment method.
IRCTC will mail you your train ticket on your registered email ID and phone number.
Click here to book train ticket through PayZapp on your IOS phone.
Click here to make IRCTC train ticket booking through PayZapp on your Android phone.
Get Rewards on Travel Bookings on PayZapp
Your search for a one-stop payments and travel booking solution ends with HDFC Bank’s PayZapp. A one-of-its-kind app, PayZapp allows you to manage your payments, shop to your heart’s content, and book travel tickets. Plus, you can earn attractive rewards, cashback, and discounts on your PayZapp transactions. So, the next time you need to book your train tickets, bid adieu to conventional methods. Just link your IRCTC account to PayZapp and book your tickets effortlessly.
Simplify your travel bookings. Download PayZapp today.
*Disclaimer: Terms and conditions apply. The information provided in this article is generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances.
