NS error sends thousands false winning emails for private Chef prize
A technical glitch at Dutch railway operator NS left thousands of participants in its "Wintercity" advent calendar believing they had won a private chef dinner for six—worth over 1,000 euros. In reality, only one winner was supposed to receive the prize.
Approximately 6,000 people received an email congratulating them on winning the exclusive dining experience, which promised a five-course meal served by a private chef who would bring all necessary utensils, serveware, and even clean up afterward. According to NS spokesperson Erik Kroeze, the error stemmed from a mix-up in the system that sent out the wrong confirmation email.
"It was a technical problem," Kroeze said, as cited by AD. "Participants hadn’t even entered the contest for the private chef prize yet. That competition was meant for Sunday, but unfortunately, the confirmation email went out prematurely on Saturday."
The mishap quickly sparked reactions on social media and NS’s traveler forum, where users voiced their initial excitement and later disappointment.
"Last night, I was so happy. I thought I’d won a chef who would come cook dinner for six people at my house. What a luxury!" one user shared on platform X (AD). Another commented, "I was already planning to surprise my parents after a tough time. This is really disappointing."
The prize, valued at 1,096.26 euros, included not only the five-course meal but also drinks, appetizers, and desserts. For some, it represented an opportunity to host an unforgettable evening with loved ones.
NS recognized the mistake early Sunday morning and quickly issued apology emails to those affected. "We understand how disappointing this is for those who received the email," NS told NOS. "It may come across as sloppy, but we’re continuing with the Wintercity campaign." The company assured participants that technical systems were now double-checked to prevent further issues.
This is not the first time NS has faced issues with its holiday campaigns. According to forum users, a similar mistake occurred last year when thousands of participants mistakenly believed they had won a free overnight stay for multiple people. NS acknowledged that error as well but did not provide further details.
While NS has no plans to provide compensation for the error, participants on the forum have floated creative ideas for reparation. "How about an apology dinner at long tables in Utrecht Centraal?" one suggested. "But please, nothing as basic as a soggy sandwich," they added, referring to NS’s often-criticized onboard food options (NOS).
Another traveler humorously proposed: "Why not offer a few kilos of fries from Smullers? We could all eat them together on the train."
Despite the incident, NS plans to continue its Wintercity advent calendar campaign, which offers daily prizes such as NS-themed sweaters and coffee vouchers. Only one participant will ultimately win the coveted private chef dinner.
NS has yet to determine whether the technical glitch will result in formal complaints, according to Kroeze. "It’s certainly unfortunate when people think they’ve won something this special," he told AD.
